The Insitu Group, Inc.

Hood Technology Corporation

Other

Insitu, Inc.

Aerovel Corporation

Cory Roeseler

Andreas Hubertus Von Flotow

Brian Theodore McGeer

Brian D Dennis

Clifford Jackson

Mathieu Mercadal

William G Roeseler

Brian T Mcgeer

Methods and apparatuses for launching unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be launched from an apparatus that includes a launch carriage that moves along a launch guide. The carriage can accelerate when portions of the carriage and/or the launch guide move relative to each other. A gripper carried by the launch carriage can have at least one grip portion in contact with the aircraft while the launch carriage accelerates along the launch axis. The at least one grip portion can move out of contact with the aircraft as the launch carriage decelerates, releasing the aircraft for takeoff. A brake can arrest the motion of the gripper after launch.

Methods and apparatuses for launching unmanned aircraft, including releasably gripping aircraft during launch and breaking subsequent grip motion

Methods and apparatuses for capturing and constraining motion of unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be captured at an extendable boom. The boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to retrieve the aircraft in flight. A trigger mechanism coupled to the recovery line can actuate a hoist device to reduce slack in the recovery line. A tension device coupled to the recovery line can absorb forces associated with the impact of the aircraft on the recovery line.

Methods and apparatuses for capturing unmanned aircraft and constraining motion of the captured aircraft

Methods and apparatuses for launching unmanned aircraft, including releasably gripping aircraft during launch and braking subsequent grip motion

Methods and apparatuses for cable launching airborne devices (e.g., unmanned aircraft) are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an elongated structure, e.g., a tower, boom or derrick. At least one flexible elongated member (e.g., a cable or rope) can be attached toward one end to the structure and toward another end to the ground or another structure to form an elongated launch path. A cradle, which can carry the airborne device, can also be movably attached to the flexible elongated member and can be accelerated along the launch path. As the cradle decelerates, the aircraft can be released into flight.

Methods and apparatuses for launching airborne devices along flexible elongated members

Methods and apparatuses for launching unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can belaunched from an apparatus that includes a launch carriage that moves along a launch axis. A gripper carried by the launch carriage can have at least one grip portion in contact with the aircraft while the launch carriage accelerates along the launch axis. The at least one grip portion can move out of contact with the fuselage of the aircraft as the launch carriage decelerates, releasing the aircraft for takeoff.

Methods and apparatuses for launching unmanned aircraft, including methods and apparatuses for releasably gripping aircraft during launch

Methods and apparatuses for launching unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be launched from an apparatus that operates with a wedge action. A launch carriage carrying an unmanned aircraft is positioned on first and second launch members. At least one of the launch members moves relative to the other from a first position to a second position, causing the launch carriage to move from a first launch carriage position to a second launch carriage position. As the launch carriage moves, it accelerates the aircraft and releases the aircraft for takeoff.

Methods and apparatuses for launching unmanned aircraft, including methods and apparatuses for launching aircraft with a wedge action

A passive blade detection sensor exploits the electrically conductive trait of typical turbo machinery components such as fan, compressor and turbine blades. A permanent magnet is placed strategically adjacent to a wire coil to generate a single pulse/antipulse signal when a blade passes in front of the sensor. The electrically conductive blade allows eddy currents to flow briefly as it passes through the magnetic field, the local reluctance is momentarily increased, and the magnetic field is momentarily changed. The coil is sensitive only to the portion of change through its cross section, so that a simple voltage pulse, useful for precise timing of blade passage, is produced. Since the device is only sensitive to fast changes in local conductivity, blades can be detected through non-ferrous barriers such as typical engine case walls.

Passive eddy current blade detection sensor

The present invention is for an elevated tow device made of a superstructure extending skyward from a towboat, where the superstructure raises an attachment point of a tether above 10 feet from the waterline, where the towboat is 25 feet or less in length, and a tether connecting the towboat to a towed subject. The present invention may further include an aerodynamic surface whose angular position is guided by the tether and which acts to stabilize the towboat as the towed subject applies lateral loads. When the towed subject pulls on the side of the towboat, the angle of attack on the aerodynamic surface increases proportionally, and the lateral forces approximately cancel. The towboat proceeds safely with little or no roll perturbation.

Elevated tow apparatus

When it is beneficial for a towing craft, such as a boat, to tow from a point high above its center, an airfoil can be fastened to a tether for improved roll and yaw stability. In the case of a wakeboarder, the upward tow angle afforded by a tall tower improves the wakeboarder's performance, but it causes the towboat to roll excessively when the wakeboarder pulls to the side. An aerodynamic surface can be linked to the tether to safely oppose the rolling moment of the wakeboarder. When the wakeboarder pulls out to the side of the towboat, the angle of attack on the aerodynamic surface increases proportionally, and the lateral forces approximately cancel. The boat proceeds safely with little or no roll perturbation.

Self stabilizing tow apparatus

A realistic study of high-cycle fatigue in turbo-machinery is dependent on a means of reproducing, in an evacuated test facility, the vibration of turbine blades caused by inhomogeneous flow in the engine. An apparatus and method are described which use magnetic eddy currents to generate such vibration. The apparatus makes use of an array of magnets to produce blade vibration of the magnitude and period characteristic for turbo-machines.

Apparatus for producing vibration in turbo-machinery blades

A method and apparatus for retrieving an aircraft in a confined space involves hanging a cable, for example from a kite or mast, across the aircraft's flight path. The aircraft approaches the cable in steady forward flight, and may strike the cable at any point on the wing, fuselage, or other leading surface. The cable then slides along the airframe as the aircraft moves forward, until it is intercepted by a hook attached to the wing tip or other convenient location. The hook captures the cable, and prevents further sliding; the cable then pulls the aircraft to a stop. Compliance of the cable, optionally combined with compliance of the cable suspension, provides acceptably gradual deceleration. The aircraft is left suspended in mid-air, and is then winched or slid to the base of the cable or other convenient retrieval point. The cable suspension and other fixed objects can be kept well clear of the flight path, so that the aircraft can continue safely in the event that it misses the cable, and make another approach.

Method for retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft without a runway

A wind powered system utilizes a free-flying airfoil tethered to a conveyance device such as a water ski, a skegged hull slab or a wheeled land vehicle which either defines or inherently has tracking means defining a preferred traverse vector across an underlying surface. The tractive force of the airfoil is applied at the center of lateral resistance of the conveyance device such that there is no destabilizing moment caused by the airfoil, thereby removing an artificial limit on the sail area that is imposed upon fixed mast sailing craft. A control bar provides a mount for a tether reel which enables the conveyance device, when same is a kite, to be launched from the water without requiring the assistance of a boat.

Growing community of inventors

Hood River, OR, United States of America

Cory Roeseler