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US 12,545,408 B2Granted
Aircraft tow system
AssigneeEdge Logistics, Inc.
InventorDoron Appelboim
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is an unmanned, autonomous, cargo transport system comprising at least one towed aircraft coupled to a tractor aircraft for inflight towing.
Claims20
A towing assembly for an aircraft, comprising:
- a cable connector assembly configured to be connected to a towing element, comprising:
- a first base component;
- a hook configured to be releasably connected to the towing element;
- a hook release arm coupled to the hook, the hook release arm being configured to disengage the hook from the towing element when activated;
- and
- an electrical actuator mechanically coupled to the hook release arm, wherein the electrical actuator is configured to activate the hook release arm and disengage the hook from the towing element in response to an electronic signal;
- an aircraft connector assembly configured to be connected to an end of the aircraft, comprising:
- a second base component;
- and
- a connector attached to the second base component configured to be connected to the end of the aircraft;
- and
- a load cell array coupled between the first base component and the second base component.
9 more elements
An aircraft towing system, comprising:
- a towing element configured to be attached between a tractor aircraft and a towed aircraft;
- a first towing assembly connected to a tail end of the tractor aircraft, the first towing assembly comprising:
- a first cable connector assembly configured to be connected to a first end of the towing element, comprising:
- a first base component;
- a first hook configured to be releasably connected to the towing element;
- a first hook release arm coupled to the first hook, the first hook release arm being configured to disengage the first hook from the towing element when activated;
- and
- a first electrical actuator mechanically coupled to the first hook release arm, wherein the first electrical actuator is configured to activate the first hook release arm and disengage the first hook from the towing element in response to a first electronic signal;
- a first aircraft connector assembly configured to be connected to the tail end of the tractor aircraft, comprising:
- a second base component;
- and
- a first connector attached to the second base component configured to be connected to the tail end of the tractor aircraft;
- a first load cell array coupled between the first base component and the second base component;
- a second towing assembly connected to a nose end of the towed aircraft, the second towing assembly comprising:
- a second cable connector assembly configured to be connected to a second end of the towing element, comprising:
- a third base component;
- a second hook configured to be releasably connected to the towing element;
- a second hook release arm coupled to the second hook, the second hook release arm being configured to disengage the second hook from the towing element when activated;
- and
- a second electrical actuator mechanically coupled to the second hook release arm, wherein the second electrical actuator is configured to activate the second hook release arm and disengage the second hook from the towing element in response to a second electronic signal;
- a second aircraft connector assembly configured to be connected to the nose end of the towed aircraft, comprising:
- a fourth base component;
- and
- a second connector attached to the fourth base component configured to be connected to the nose end of the towed aircraft;
- and
- a second load cell array coupled between the third base component and the fourth base component.
23 more elements
A towed aircraft system, comprising:
- a tractor aircraft;
- a towed aircraft;
- a towing element configured to be attached between the tractor aircraft and the towed aircraft;
- a first towing assembly connected to a tail end of the tractor aircraft, the first towing assembly comprising:
- a first cable connector assembly configured to be connected to a first end of the towing element, comprising:
- a first base component;
- a first hook configured to be releasably connected to the towing element;
- a first hook release arm coupled to the first hook, the first hook release arm being configured to disengage the first hook from the towing element when activated;
- and
- a first electrical actuator mechanically coupled to the first hook release arm, wherein the first electrical actuator is configured to activate the first hook release arm and disengage the first hook from the towing element in response to a first electronic signal;
- a first aircraft connector assembly configured to be connected to the tail end of the tractor aircraft, comprising:
- a second base component;
- and
- a first connector attached to the second base component configured to be connected to the tail end of the tractor aircraft;
- a first load cell array coupled between the first base component and the second base component;
- a second towing assembly connected to a nose end of the towed aircraft, the second towing assembly comprising:
- a second cable connector assembly configured to be connected to a second end of the towing element, comprising:
- a third base component;
- a second hook configured to be releasably connected to the towing element;
- a second hook release arm coupled to the second hook, the second hook release arm being configured to disengage the second hook from the towing element when activated;
- and
- a second electrical actuator mechanically coupled to the second hook release arm, wherein the second electrical actuator is configured to activate the second hook release arm and disengage the second hook from the towing element in response to a second electronic signal;
- a second aircraft connector assembly configured to be connected to the nose end of the towed aircraft, comprising:
- a fourth base component;
- and
- a second connector attached to the fourth base component configured to be connected to the nose end of the towed aircraft;
- and
- a second load cell array coupled between the third base component and the fourth base component.
25 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.