Systems and methods for launching and recovering moving objects with a pin array chamber are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a pin array chamber system releases and captures an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) while airborne. The host aircraft has an in slip-stream chamber where two opposing plates of pin arrays exert a clamping force as pins extend onto the UAV to capture or release. As the pins are retracted from a captive UAV, thereby releasing a clamping force, the UAV continues with free-flight under its own power. In reverse, the UAV using precision relative navigation moves into the pin array chamber system under its own power in free-flight, and is then captured by the extensions of the pins with a clamping force. The pin array chamber system can also be used for ground systems, naval systems, space systems and microscopic systems.
Pin Array Chamber Systems and Methods for Releasing and Capturing Moving Objects
2016-08-11
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B64D Ausrüstung für Flugzeuge , EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT / B64F GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT , Boden- oder Flugzeugträgerdeckeinrichtungen besonders ausgebildet für die Verwendung in Verbindung mit Luftfahrzeugen |
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