# US 9,751,627 B2 · UAV capture of micro cargo aloft

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- Number: US 9,751,627 B2
- Document ID: US9751627B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/631,025
- Filed: 2015-02-25
- Published: 2015-06-18
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-05-29
- Assignees: The Boeing Company
- Applicants: The Boeing Company
- Inventors: Roger D. Bernhardt
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751627B2

## CPC

- B64D 1/22: Taking-up articles from earth's surface
- B64D 1/12: Releasing
- B64D 37/32: Safety measures not otherwise provided for, e.g. preventing explosive conditions
- B64U 2101/60: for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR

## Abstract

A system of transporting micro-cargo incorporates an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a tether capture device. A tether is connected to and suspends a micro cargo container with a suspension system to vertically extend the tether. The system having a first pickup state and a second flight state with a transition between the first and second states. The first state provides the micro-container unsuspended via the tether from the suspension system. The transition state provides engagement of the tether by the UAV, the tether positioning the micro-cargo container with respect to the capture device which secures the tether. The second state is then entered with the micro-cargo towed by the UAV in cruising flight to its destination.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for transport of micro cargo comprising:
loading a micro cargo into a micro cargo container;
suspending the micro cargo container on a tether in a vertical state;
constraining the micro cargo container with a securing line to position the micro cargo container with respect to a surface in a first system state;
directing a UAV having a tether capture device to the tether for engagement;
in a transition state, contacting the tether with a leading edge of at least one main wing of the UAV;
sliding the tether to the capture device attached to the main wing;
engaging the tether with the tether capture device; and
towing the micro cargo container with the UAV in a second system state.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising rupturing a suspension link and a lower link freeing the tether and securing line.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the step of suspending the micro cargo container comprises suspending the micro cargo container from a balloon.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the step of suspending the micro cargo container comprises suspending the micro cargo container from suspension arm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the step of suspending the micro cargo container comprises suspending the micro cargo container from natural object.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 wherein the tether remains attached to the balloon which is aerodynamically streamlined for tow.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 wherein the balloon is punctured for flagging during tow.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the step of contacting the tether is achieved by flying a nose of the UAV into an open loop in the tether for a symmetric flight configuration.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising reeling the tether in to closely hold the micro-cargo near or in the UAV for more efficient flight.