Insitu, Inc.

The Boeing Company

Insitu, Inc. (a Subsidiary of the Boeing Company)

Insito, Inc.

John Richard Wong

Jesse Drake Kiewit

Jacob S Allen

Daniel Lewis Shaw

Kelly A Comstock

Benjamin T Brown

Alice E Fockele

Derek Suggs

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch and recovery is disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus for recovering a UAV includes a base to be mounted to a recovery vehicle, a flexible arm extending from the base to pivot therefrom, the arm having a first end at the base and a second end opposite the first end, the arm to move to counteract a movement of the recovery vehicle, and a coupler mounted on or proximate the second end of the arm, the coupler to be releasably coupled to the UAV.

Unmanned aerial vehicle launch and recovery

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus to recover an aircraft includes a mast extending from a base, a boom extending from the mast at a first end of the boom to a second end of the boom opposite the first end, a tether line extending between the mast to the base and guided by the boom, a portion of the tether line extending between the second end of the boom and the base, and a mount to operatively coupled the a kite to the tether line, the kite to support the tether line as the aircraft contacts the portion for recovery thereof.

Methods and apparatus to recover unmanned aerial vehicles with kites

Methods and apparatus to recover unmanned aerial vehicles with kites are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a tether line to be supported by a kite at a distal end thereof, and a release to deploy and expand a parafoil from at least one of the tether line or the kite in response to the aircraft contacting the tether line.

Methods and apparatus to recover unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with kites are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus to recover a UAV during flight includes a tether line, a tensioner operatively coupled to the tether line, and a kite operatively coupled to the tether line to support the tether line for recovery of the UAV.

Methods and apparatus to recover unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with kites

Delivery systems for aerial vehicles include a plurality of securement straps configured to secure a package during flight of an aerial vehicle, at least one retaining strap, and a release mechanism. A proximal end region of each securement strap and a first end region of the at least one retaining strap are coupled to the aerial vehicle. A distal end region of each securement strap is coupled to the release mechanism such that when the release mechanism is actuated the release mechanism releases the distal end region of at least one securement strap of the plurality of securement straps, thereby delivering the package. The release mechanism remains coupled to a second end region of the at least one retaining strap when the release mechanism is actuated such that the securement straps, release mechanism, and retaining strap all may be pulled up and away from the package after delivery.

Package delivery systems and related methods

Methods and apparatus to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by kites are disclosed. An example apparatus to deploy a UAV includes a tether line to support the UAV, a tensioner operatively coupled to the tether line, and a kite operatively coupled to the tether line to support the tether line for deployment of the UAV.

Methods and apparatus to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by kites

Example magnetic recovery systems and magnetic docking mechanisms for fixed-wing UAVs are disclosed herein. An example capture mechanism for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a first member attached to a capture vehicle, the first member having a first portion having a first shape and a magnetic portion; and a second member attached to the UAV, the second member having a second portion having a second shape, wherein the first member and the second member mutually self-align responsive to incidental contact of the first shape and the second shape, and the magnetic portion is to capture the second member.

Magnetic recovery systems and magnetic docking mechanisms for fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles

Apparatus and methods for marine capture of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using water for braking and damping are described. An example capture device is for capturing a UAV aboard a marine vessel located in a body of water. The capture device includes a mounting frame and a capture frame. The mounting frame is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. The capture frame is configured to be rotatably coupled to the mounting frame. The capture frame is rotatable relative to the mounting frame about an axis of rotation. The capture frame includes a braking member configured to be submerged in the body of water. The braking member is configured to oppose rotation of the capture frame relative to the mounting frame based on a braking force to be applied to the braking member by the body of water.

Apparatus and methods for marine capture of a UAV using water for braking and damping

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch and recovery is disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes an aircraft mount to be coupled to a vehicle, where the aircraft mount has a magnet, and a support arm to extend from a body of the vehicle and support the aircraft mount, where the support arm is to be moved relative to the vehicle while the vehicle is moving to bring the aircraft mount toward an aircraft to recover the aircraft.

Growing community of inventors

Klickitat, WA, United States of America

John Richard Wong