Patent ID: 11912408
Assignee: FLIR UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS ULC
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 15:
16. A method for storing and launching aerial vehicles comprising:
storing a first aerial vehicle in a first storage position in a first enclosure of a launch device, wherein storing comprises:
cradling the first aerial vehicle in a first cassette by positioning the first aerial vehicle on a first cradle, and activating release arms on the first cradle to hold the first aerial vehicle on the first cradle, wherein the first cradle is coupled to the first cassette at a first hinge point, and coupled to an actuator assembly at a second hinge point;
inserting the first cassette into the first enclosure of the launch device;
electrically coupling the first aerial vehicle to the launch device; and

moving the first aerial vehicle into a first launch position by activating the actuator assembly to open a first lid of the first cassette and move the first aerial vehicle into the first launch position by pivoting the first cradle around the first hinge point, wherein the first aerial vehicle is positioned outside of the first enclosure of the launch device; and
deactivating the release arms on the first cradle to release the first aerial vehicle for flight.