Device and method to intercept an aerial vehicle
OwnerShawn M. Theissinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An airframe is provided that can be flown under the control of an operator or an automated sensor and feedback system. The airframe can be any of a variety of known configurations with multiple rotors, fixed or retractable wings, puller or pusher propellers, or jet engines. The airframe includes at least one arm that is used to intercept and disable another airborne vehicle. In some configurations, the arm is fixed and can include fingers at its outer end. In other configurations, the arm is movable from a closed condition to an open condition. A wire or net is connected between the arm and a portion of the airframe so that the wire or net is spread open when the arm is deployed to the open condition. The wire or net are configured to disable or capture a target such as another aerial vehicle.
Claims20
A method of disabling a target aerial vehicle comprising the steps of:
- flying a powered airframe having at least a first arm that is selectively movable from a closed condition to an open condition;
- moving the first arm from the closed condition to the open condition while the powered airframe is flying to deploy an engagement member from a collapsed condition to an expanded condition;
- and
- maneuvering the powered airframe until the engagement member contacts the target aerial vehicle to disable the target vehicle.
A method of disabling a target aerial vehicle comprising the steps of:
- flying a powered airframe in a direction which defines the front of the powered airframe at the time of flying;
- deploying an engagement member from a collapsed condition to an expanded condition at the front of the powered airframe;
- and
- maneuvering the powered airframe until the engagement member contacts the target aerial vehicle to disable the target aerial vehicle.
A method of disabling a target aerial vehicle comprising the steps of:
- flying a powered airframe having at least first and second arms that are each selectively movable from a closed condition to an open condition;
- moving the first and second arms from the closed condition to the open condition while the powered airframe is flying to deploy an engagement member from a collapsed condition to an expanded condition;
- and
- maneuvering the powered airframe until the engagement member contacts the target aerial vehicle to disable the target vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.