The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 06, 2019
Filed:
Apr. 13, 2017
The United States of America As Represented BY the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US);
Shawn Kerry McGann, Ridgecrest, CA (US);
Nicholas McGaha, Ridgecrest, CA (US);
Alvin L. Quintana, Ridgecrest, CA (US);
Abstract
A launcher for an unmanned aircraft may comprise: a launch rail, a carriage, pair of pulley drivers, and a cable and pulley system. The pulley drivers may produce opposing pulley drive forces, which may be converted into a single launching force via the cable and pulley system for launching the carriage. The cable and pulley system may comprise: launch rail pulleys, pulley block pulleys, cam pulleys, drive cables, and one or more winches. Embodiments of the launcher may apply a constant force to the aircraft uniformly over the launch distance, such that the unmanned aircraft may be propelled within a relatively short distance by applying energy to the aircraft in the smallest period of time and without exceeding the aircraft's acceleration limits.