# US 8,740,142 B2 · Method and apparatus for automated launch, retrieval, and servicing of a hovering aircraft > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,740,142 B2 - Document ID: US8740142B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/901,295 - Filed: 2013-05-23 - Published: 2014-04-03 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2009-02-12 - Assignees: Aerovel Corporation - Applicants: Aerovel Corporation - Inventors: Brian T. McGeer; Andreas H. von Flotow - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8740142B2 ## CPC - B64F 1/02: for arresting aircraft, e.g. nets or cables - B64C 25/68: Arrester hooks - B64F 1/06: using catapults - B64F 1/12: for anchoring aircraft - B64F 1/125: {Mooring or ground handling devices for helicopters} - B64F 1/28: Liquid-handling installations specially adapted for fuelling stationary aircraft - B64F 5/00: Designing, manufacturing, assembling, cleaning, maintaining or repairing aircraft, not otherwise provided for; Handling, transporting, testing or inspecting aircraft components, not otherwise provided for - B64F 5/40: Maintaining or repairing aircraft - B64U 70/30: for capturing UAVs in flight by ground or sea-based arresting gear, e.g. by a cable or a net - B64U 70/70: Launching or landing using catapults, tracks or rails (launching from storage containers B64U70/50) - B64U 10/17: Helicopters (flying platforms B64U10/13) - B64U 30/40: Empennages, e.g. V-tails (foldable or collapsible UAVs B64U20/50) - B64U 80/25: for recharging batteries; for refuelling - B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS - B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR ## Abstract Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus configured to automatically retrieve, service, and launch an aircraft. For retrieval, the aircraft drops a weighted cable, and pulls it at low relative speed into a broad aperture of the apparatus. In certain instances, the cable is dragged along guiding surfaces of the apparatus into and through a slot until its free end is captured. The aircraft becomes anchored to the apparatus, and is pulled downward by the cable into a receptacle. Guiding surfaces of the receptacle adjust the position and orientation of a probe on the aircraft, directing the probe to mate with a docking fixture of the apparatus. Once mated, the aircraft is automatically shut down and serviced. When desired, the aircraft is automatically started and tested in preparation for launch, and then released into free flight. A full ground-handling cycle is thus accomplished with a simple, economical apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for retrieving a flying object from free flight, said method comprising: (a) causing a member connected to a body of the flying object to be received by a member holder of a docking station, the docking station supported by a base and configured to receive a portion of the flying object; (b) thereafter, causing the member holder to hold the member; and (c) causing a member mover of the docking station to move the member relative to the docking station to cause the flying object to move toward the docking station. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, which includes causing the member mover to move the member relative to the docking station until the docking station receives the portion of the flying object. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, which includes detecting when the docking station receives the portion of the flying object using a sensor and stopping the movement of the member relative to the docking station when the sensor detects that the docking station receives the portion of the flying object. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, which includes securing the flying object using a locking device after the docking station receives the portion of the flying object. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, which includes servicing the flying object using at least one connector after the docking station receives the portion of the flying object. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein said servicing is performed automatically. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, which includes facilitating launch of the flying object using at least one launch orienting device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein facilitating launch of the flying object includes tilting the docking station using the at least one launch orienting device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, which includes measuring a three-dimensional position of the flying object relative to the apparatus. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, which includes measuring an orientation of the flying object relative to the apparatus. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, which includes causing the member holder to release the member to facilitate launch of the flying object. ### Claim 12 A method for retrieving a flying object from free flight, said method comprising: (a) causing a flexible member connected to a body of the flying object to be received by a member holder of a docking station, the docking station supported by a base and configured to receive a portion of the flying object; (b) thereafter, causing the member holder to hold the member; and (c) causing a member mover of the docking station to move the member relative to the docking station until the docking station receives the portion of the flying object. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, which includes detecting when the docking station receives the portion of the flying object using a sensor and stopping the movement of the member relative to the docking station when the sensor detects that the docking station receives the portion of the flying object. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, which includes securing the flying object using a locking device after the docking station receives the portion of the flying object. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, which includes servicing the flying object using at least one connector after the docking station receives the portion of the flying object. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein said servicing is performed automatically. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, which includes facilitating launch of the flying object using at least one launch orienting device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, which includes measuring a three-dimensional position of the flying object relative to the apparatus. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, which includes measuring an orientation of the flying object relative to the apparatus. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, which includes causing the member holder to release the member to facilitate launch of the flying object.