Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to wrecking-ball type impact or equipment.

Large-scale demolition equipment such as wrecking balls operate with the momentum of a mass impacting objects. While such systems are effective, the mass must be hung from a surrounding structure such as a crane. This may render the use of wrecking balls inappropriate or unfeasible, when time is a factor, such as in emergencies. In other scenarios, it may not be possible to bring a crane to a demolition site. <CIT> discloses a device to be used during geological exploration for obtaining a specimen of soil lying beneath the surface of the earth. The device is to be dropped from the air, e.g. from a hovering helicopter, and is connected to one end of a cable which has its other end wound on a winch in the helicopter. Enough of the cable is unravelled so that the device is travelling at sufficient speed to penetrate the earth on impact with the surface thereof. After impact, the cable can be rewound on the winch in the hovering helicopter. <CIT> discloses a quick dump hoist for rapidly lowering a cable from a helicopter, <CIT> discloses a brake mechanism for winch drums, <CIT> discloses a brake assembly with a brake shaft and a brake lever coupled to the brake shaft and <CIT> discloses an equipment to destroy blockings in sections or rivers.

The invention provides an impactor apparatus for use with a rotorcraft as claimed in claim <NUM>.

Further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the reeling apparatus includes a clutch unit between the actuation system and the spool.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the clutch unit includes at least one spring exerting a biasing force between the actuation system and the spool.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the at least one spring surrounds a shaft of the actuation system, and is between an abutment surface secured to the shaft and a coupler secured to the spool.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the coupler is a disk inside a cavity of a core of the spool.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the at least one spring is at least one Belleville spring.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the clutch unit includes a tensioner for adjusting the biasing force applied by the spring.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the tensioner has at least one fastener applying a pressure on the at least one spring.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the at least one fastener is located inside a cavity of a core of the spool and is accessed from an exterior of the reeling apparatus.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the actuation system includes an electric motor and a gear box.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, a rotational axis of the motor is transverse to a rotational axis of the spool.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the brake system includes a strap selectively applying a braking force on a drum surface of the spool.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the brake system includes a piston and at least one brake spring biasing the brake system to apply the braking force.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the brake system includes a braking actuator operatively connected to piston to apply a force against a biasing action of the at least one brake spring to release the braking force.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the braking actuator is electrically powered.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the brake system includes a locking actuator operatively connected to piston to apply a force concurrent with a biasing action of the at least one brake spring to lock the brake system.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the locking actuator is electrically powered.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the reeling apparatus includes a cutter assembly adjacent to the cable and operable to section the cable.

Still further in accordance with the invention for instance, the cutter assembly has a frame defining a hole for passage of the cable therethrough, and a cutter in guillotine arrangement with the hole.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the cutter is spring-loaded in a loaded condition, the cutter assembly having a detent mechanism for releasing the cutter from the loaded condition.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the detent mechanism is actuated by a cutter actuator.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the cutter actuator is electrically powered.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, the frame of the cutter assembly is a carriage slidingly mounted to a frame of the reeling apparatus.

Still further in accordance with the invention, for instance, a controller is provided operating the actuation system and the brake system.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an impactor apparatus <NUM> in accordance with the present disclosure. The impactor apparatus <NUM> is of the type that may be operate from rotorcraft A, such as helicopters, drones, etc. The impactor apparatus <NUM> has a reeling apparatus <NUM>, a cable <NUM> and an impactor mass <NUM>, and may also have one or more of a sling <NUM> and a controller <NUM>.

The reeling apparatus <NUM> has a spool assembly <NUM>, an actuation system <NUM> and a brake system, and may have numerous assemblies, systems, units, etc, to operate in the manner described below. For example, the reeling apparatus <NUM> may also have a frame <NUM>, a clutch unit <NUM>, and/or a cutter assembly <NUM>, all of which are described below. In accordance with an embodiment, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the reeling apparatus <NUM> has a frame <NUM> to supports its numerous components. The frame <NUM> may be rigidly secured to the rotorcraft A, and/or may be hung from the rotorcraft A by the sling <NUM>, as a possibility.

The frame <NUM> may have different configurations with frame members of different types. For example, the frame <NUM> may be made of a tubular or elongated frame members to have a skeleton like appearance. In another embodiment, as shown, the frame <NUM> is made of plate members. The frame <NUM> may also be a combination of elongated frame members and plate members, with the configuration of <FIG> and <FIG> provided as an example only.

The frame <NUM> may have a base plate <NUM> that supports other components of the reeling apparatus <NUM>. The base plate <NUM> may have connectors to be secured or connected to the apparatus <NUM>. For example, the base plate <NUM> may have eyelets 211A at its four corners to be attached to the apparatus <NUM> by cables, e.g., forming the sling <NUM>. Chains, rods, etc may be used as well. A slot 211B may be defined in the base plate <NUM> and may be present for the cable <NUM> to pass through the base plate <NUM>.

An end wall assembly <NUM> may project upwardly from the base plate <NUM>. The end wall assembly <NUM> may be defined by one or more plates, e.g., structural components in steel, body components in aluminum. The end wall assembly <NUM> may have an axle portion 212A for rotatably supporting a rotating component, such as a spool assembly <NUM> described below. The end wall assembly <NUM> may also be used to interface the spool assembly <NUM> to an actuation system <NUM>. The end wall assembly <NUM> may also have roller support 212B configured to support cable guides. As also observed, the end wall assembly <NUM> may support electrical and/or electronic components of the reeling apparatus <NUM>.

Another end wall assembly <NUM> may project upwardly from the base plate <NUM>, and is spaced from the end wall assembly <NUM>, such that the spool assembly <NUM> may be located between the end wall assembly <NUM> and the end wall assembly <NUM>. The end wall assembly <NUM> may also be defined by one or more plates, e.g., structural components in steel, body components in aluminum. The end wall assembly <NUM> may have a bore 213A for rotatably supporting the other end of spool assembly <NUM> described below. The end wall assembly <NUM> may also have roller support 213B configured to support cable guides, concurrently with the roller support 212B. For example, a pair of parallel rollers 214B are rollingly supported by the roller support 212B and 213B. Non-rolling bars could be used as another possibility, if cable guides are present.

Cage walls <NUM> may also project from the base plate <NUM>. For example, the cage walls <NUM> may extend from one end wall assembly to another. The cage walls <NUM> may be shaped so as to surround the spool assembly <NUM>, so as to contain the cable <NUM> therein. Therefore, the cage walls <NUM> may form a generally cylindrical enclosure around the spool assembly <NUM>, though the cage walls <NUM> may be made of plate segments as shown.

A side wall assembly <NUM> may also project upwardly from the base plate <NUM>, and is transversely arranged relative to the end wall assembly <NUM> and the end wall assembly <NUM>. The side wall assembly <NUM> may also be defined by one or more plates, e.g., structural components in steel, body components in aluminum. In an embodiment, the side wall assembly <NUM> encloses and/or supports parts of the brake system <NUM> that may be operated to brake the spool assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, The frame <NUM> rotatably supports a spool assembly <NUM> or spool upon which the cable <NUM> is wound. The spool assembly <NUM> may have spool defined by a core <NUM>, upon which is wound the cable <NUM>. The core <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape, for example. The core <NUM> may be tubular or partially hollow, to accommodate components as described herein. In an embodiment, bearings <NUM> are located inside the core <NUM>, and may be connected to the end wall assemblies <NUM> and <NUM>, such that the core <NUM> rolls on itself.

A flange <NUM> may be provided at one end of the core <NUM>, and another flange or drum <NUM> may be positioned at the other end of the core <NUM>, to retain the cable <NUM> wound around the core <NUM>. The flange <NUM> and the drum <NUM> may be rigidly connected to the core <NUM> so as to rotate therewith. In particular, the drum <NUM> may define the braking surface of the spool assembly <NUM> and is operatively connected to the brake system <NUM>. For instance, the drum <NUM> may be defined by a drum portion 224A separating a pair of flanges 224B, such that a collar of the brake system <NUM> is held captive around the drum portion 224A. Other configurations are considered.

Referring to <FIG>, an actuation system <NUM> is provided to collaborate with the spool assembly <NUM> so as to actuate a rotation of the spool assembly <NUM> in a winding direction. For example, the actuation system <NUM> has a unidirectional electrical motor <NUM>, although other types of motor are contemplated. For example, the spool assembly <NUM> may be connected to the frame <NUM> by an automatic reeling system (e.g., with springs) to bias a rotation of the spool assembly <NUM> in an orientation, and hence force an autowinding or self-winding of the spool assembly <NUM> and cable <NUM> thereon. In an embodiment with the actuation system <NUM>, the latter does not have the capacity of raising the impactor mass <NUM>, as explained below. Consequently, the sizing of the actuation system <NUM> may be reduced in contrast to a motor having the capacity or lifting the impactor mass <NUM>. In an embodiment, the axis of the motor <NUM> is transverse to a rotational axis of the spool assembly <NUM>. A gear box <NUM> (e.g., reduction gear box) or like coupler may be used to orient a shaft <NUM> with the rotational axis of the spool assembly <NUM>. Other transmissions could be present (e.g., belt drive, direct drive, etc). The gear box <NUM> may therefore cause a speed reduction from the shaft of the motor <NUM> to the spool assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a clutch unit <NUM> may be present between the spool assembly <NUM> and the actuation system <NUM>. The clutch unit <NUM> is provided to disengage the spool assembly <NUM> from the actuator unit <NUM>. More particularly, in an embodiment, the actuation system <NUM> does not have the capacity of raising the impactor mass <NUM>, as explained below. If the tension is beyond a given threshold in the cable <NUM>, the clutch unit <NUM> may disengage the spool assembly <NUM> from the actuation system <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the clutch unit <NUM> has a support <NUM> that is mounted to the shaft <NUM> so as to rotate therewith. In an embodiment, other components of the clutch unit <NUM> are mounted directly to the shaft <NUM> (or to the shaft of the motor <NUM>), i.e., without the support <NUM>. The support <NUM> may have its own shaft 241A coaxial with the shaft <NUM> and with the rotational axis of the spool assembly <NUM>. An abutment 241B, such as a flange, may be at an end of the shaft 241A.

The clutch unit <NUM> may have different combinations of a series of components mounted to the shaft 241A. For example, the clutch unit <NUM> may have at least some of a washer <NUM>, a coupler <NUM>, another washer <NUM>, one or more Belleville springs or washers <NUM>, a lock ring <NUM> and/or a tensioner <NUM>, sequentially. For instance, one or both of the washers <NUM> and <NUM> may be absent. The washers <NUM> and <NUM> may be wear components as they may erode or wear as the coupler <NUM> rotates against them.

The coupler <NUM> may be a disk or like component, with a central bore so as to be mounted around the shaft 241A. Fasteners 243A may be provided to secure the coupler <NUM> to the core <NUM> of the spool assembly <NUM>, such that the coupler <NUM> rotates with the core <NUM>. The core <NUM> may thus even be part of the spool assembly <NUM> as opposed to being part of the clutch unit <NUM>. The coupler <NUM> could be welded or connected by other suitable ways to the core <NUM> (e.g., splines) so as to rotate with it. The coupler <NUM> may be generally free to rotate about the shaft 241A.

The Belleville spring <NUM> may also be known as a conical spring washer, coned-disc spring, disc spring, cupped spring washer. The Belleville spring has a conical shell which that is loaded along its axis, with the frusto-conical shape giving the spring <NUM> its characteristic biasing force. The spring <NUM> is configured to positioned to apply a coupling force on the coupler <NUM>, so as to engage the coupler <NUM>, and thus the spool assembly <NUM>, with the shaft 241A. In an embodiment, a coil spring is used instead of, or in supplement to, a Belleville spring.

A lock ring <NUM> or like abutment is secured to the shaft 241A, at a fixed axial position. The lock ring <NUM> rotates with the shaft 241A. The lock ring <NUM> may be secured to the shaft 241A by any appropriate means. For example, the lock ring <NUM> may be bolted, screwed, welded, etc to the shaft 241A. In an embodiment, the position of the lock ring <NUM> is such that it compresses the spring <NUM>, such that a given biasing force is applied against the coupler <NUM>. A frictional force consequently results, such as via the washer <NUM>, to engage the coupler <NUM> with the shaft 241A in rotation, the frictional force being proportional to the biasing force.

Optionally, the tensioner <NUM> may be present to adjust the biasing force. In an embodiment, the tensioner <NUM> includes a ring 247A that is fixed to the lock ring <NUM>. The ring 247A has one or more threaded holes to receive bolts 247B or like fasteners (e.g., set screws). The bolts 247B may be screwed toward the spring(s) <NUM>, passing for example through holes 246A in the lock ring <NUM> to compress the spring <NUM> against the coupler <NUM>, consequently increasing the biasing force. In another embodiment, the holes 246A in the lock ring <NUM> are threaded, such that the ring 247A may not be necessary. In another embodiment, the lock ring <NUM> is screwed to the shaft 241A, and its axial position may be adjusted to increase or decrease the biasing force. The arrangement featuring the bolts 247B may provide for in situ adjustment of the biasing force. For example, the frame <NUM> has the bore 213A in the end wall assembly <NUM> aligned with the core <NUM>, such that a user may access the bolts 247B.

A brake system <NUM> is present as well. The brake system <NUM> may be of any appropriate type, including a disc brake set 25A with a disc on a shaft or like rotating part of the spool assembly <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, a brake system <NUM> is shown in greater detail. The brake system <NUM> may be activated in order to stop the spool assembly <NUM> from rotating. This may imply that the clutch unit <NUM> disengages the drive of the actuation system <NUM> from the spool assembly <NUM>, as a result of the action of the brake system <NUM>.

The brake system <NUM> is shown as being a drum brake in that it applies a braking force to the drum <NUM> of the spool assembly <NUM>. Other types of brake systems may be used, such as disc brakes, rim brakes, etc, all of which could be used as alternatives. The brake system <NUM> has a brake frame <NUM> that is mounted to a structure of the reeling apparatus <NUM>. For example, the brake frame <NUM> could be mounted to the side wall <NUM> (<FIG>) although the brake frame <NUM> could be mounted elsewhere. The brake system <NUM> may have a brake strap <NUM> that forms a loop in the manner shown in <FIG>. The brake strap <NUM> is connected at a first end to the brake frame <NUM> and to a piston <NUM>, or like translational device, at a second end thereof. A wear member 252A may be optionally positioned inside the brake strap <NUM> and comes into contact with the brake drum <NUM>. The brake strap <NUM> surrounds the drum <NUM> and, in a braking action, strangles the drum <NUM> so as to prevent it from rotating. In order to cause this strangling braking action, the piston <NUM> has a strap connector 253A that is displaceable in translation for example, as mounted to its piston shaft. Springs 253B may act on the piston <NUM> in an embodiment bias the strap connector 253A toward a braking position. The springs 253B may be one or more coil springs, as an example, although it is also considered to use other types of springs including spring washers. Thus, the springs 253B exert a biasing force for the strap connector 253A of the piston <NUM> to be biased upwardly in <FIG> such that the brake strap <NUM> strangles the drum <NUM>.

In order to release the braking, the piston <NUM> must exert a force against the springs 253B - the brake system <NUM> as shown may be referred to as a normally braking system. A head 253C is at a free end of the piston <NUM> and when a force is applied on the head 253C, the strap connector 253A may translate downward. A braking actuator <NUM> is coupled to the head 253C by way of a linkage <NUM>. For example, the braking actuator <NUM> is an electrically activated device such as a solenoid, a linear actuator, though other types of devices may be used. A translation force applied by the braking actuator <NUM> is converted by the linkage <NUM> into a downward push on the head 253C, causing the downward movement of the strap connector 253A. Other arrangements are considered - the arrangement shown with the linkage <NUM> has a levering effect on the piston <NUM>, by the position of its pivot axis farther from the braking actuator <NUM> than from the contact point with the head 253C. In another embodiment, the braking actuator <NUM> may, for example, push straight against the piston <NUM>, i.e., without linkage <NUM>.

Deactivation of the brake system <NUM> would require a counterforce to be applied to the brake system <NUM>, such as an electrical signal and/or applied mechanical force. Stated differently, in an embodiment, the brake system <NUM> may normally block a rotation of the spool assembly <NUM>, unless a signal or force is applied to the brake system <NUM>. In another embodiment, the arrangement is not a normally braking arrangement but a normally released arrangement. In such an arrangement, as the braking actuator <NUM> is actuated, it causes a release of the braking.

In an embodiment, the brake system <NUM> may have another actuator, shown as locking actuator <NUM>. The locking actuator <NUM> may be another electrically actuated device, e.g., another solenoid, as a possibility among others. The locking actuator <NUM> may be used with linkage <NUM> in order to apply a force concurrent to that of the springs 253B. Therefore, the locking actuator <NUM> provides supplemental and redundant braking actuation. In an embodiment, the locking actuator <NUM> may be actuated as a safety to ensure that the spool assembly <NUM> does not rotate, to complement the action of the springs 253C. This may for instance be of use when the reeling apparatus <NUM> with the impactor mass <NUM> is transported over sensitive zones.

Referring to <FIG>, a cutter assembly is generally shown at <NUM>. The cutter assembly <NUM> is optional and may be present in order to section the cable <NUM> in particular circumstances. The cutter assembly <NUM> is mounted to the frame <NUM>, e.g., to the base plate <NUM>, via a pair of rails <NUM>. The cutter assembly <NUM> may have its own frame, for instance in the form of a carriage <NUM> is slidingly connected to the rails <NUM> so to move in translation for the carriage to move along the slot 211B in the base plate <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. This translational movement is to follow the cable <NUM> along the spool assembly <NUM>.

The carriage <NUM> may, for example, be made of a pair of plates forming a gap therebetween, as one of numerous embodiments. A hole 262A may be provided and may extend through the two plates of the carriage <NUM>. , with the cable <NUM> passing through the hole 262A. Sliders <NUM> may optionally be connected to the carriage <NUM> so as edges of the slot 211B of the base plate <NUM> from the cable <NUM>. Idlers <NUM> are provided at the periphery of the hole 262A, or like guides (rollers, low friction bars, etc). The idlers <NUM> may be in two pairs. For example, the idlers <NUM> may form a first pair above the hole 262A and a second pair below the hole 262A. The idlers <NUM> may contact the cable <NUM> to ensure that the cable passes through the hole 262A, with limited friction so as to limit damage to the cable <NUM>.

A cutter <NUM> may be slidingly received in the gap defined between the plates of the carriage <NUM>. The cutter <NUM> may be a plate cutter, knife, etc, and may be constrained to transitional movement, though a rotational movement may be used as an alternative. The cutter <NUM> may be of the guillotine type, with a cutting edge 265A that is aligned relative to the hole 262A. Springs <NUM> bias the cutter <NUM> to a cutting position. The springs <NUM> may be coil spring(s), Belleville springs, etc, and exert suitable biasing force to cause a sectioning of the cable <NUM>. More specifically, a strong biasing force is applied to the cutter <NUM> such that the cable <NUM> passing through the hole 262A would be sectioned if the cutter <NUM> were released from its loaded condition.

The cutter <NUM> is locked into a loaded condition by a detent mechanism <NUM>. The release of the detent mechanism <NUM> causes the cutter <NUM> to guillotine the cable <NUM> by the action of the springs <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the detent mechanism <NUM> may have a retaining member, such as balls 267A, that mechanically blocks the cutter <NUM> to retain it in the loaded condition. A plunger 267B may be lodged in the carriage <NUM> and may have a cavity that may align with the balls 267A so as to allow the balls 267A to disengage from the condition in which they retain the cutter <NUM> loaded. Detent 267C is charged with displacing the plunger 267B, and may be pivotally mounted to the carriage <NUM>. The detent 267C may have a finger engaged with the plunger 267B such that a rotation of the detent 267C causes the translation of plunger 267B. The translational of the plunger 267B aligns its cavity with the balls 267A to deploy the cutter <NUM>. An actuator <NUM> is used to release the cutter <NUM> in given circumstances, by acting on the detent mechanism <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> may be an electrically powered device, such as a solenoid. The actuator <NUM> may be connected to the detent 267C of the detent mechanism <NUM> by way of linkage <NUM>.

In operation, the cable <NUM> may thus be wound on the spool assembly <NUM>. In an embodiment, the end of the cable <NUM> that is attached to the spool assembly <NUM> is not fixed to the spool assembly <NUM>. For example, the end of the cable <NUM> may be laced to the spool assembly <NUM>, so as to be releasable therefrom. The cable <NUM> may remain attached to the spool assembly <NUM> by a combination of its winding and inherent frictional forces. In an embodiment, during operation, the impactor apparatus <NUM> is given a height of operation, i.e., a maximum distance between the impactor mass <NUM> and the reeling apparatus <NUM>. At such height of operation, a suitable amount of cable <NUM> remains wound onto the spool assembly <NUM> for a subsequent reeling action. In case of emergency, such as if the impactor mass <NUM> is stuck, the rotorcraft A may increase its altitude to a height at which the cable <NUM> detaches from its engagement with the spool assembly <NUM>. Additionally, the reeling apparatus <NUM> may section the cable <NUM> if the cutter assembly <NUM> is present.

The controller unit <NUM> may be used to command the operation of the reeling apparatus <NUM>, and may be part of a system to operate a method for impacting with an impactor mass. The controller unit <NUM> may include a processing unit, and a non-transitory computer-readable memory communicatively coupled to the processing unit and comprising computer-readable program instructions executable by the processing unit for operating the reeling apparatus <NUM> as described herein. For example, the controller unit <NUM> is connected to the various electrically components of the reeling apparatus <NUM> to operate the actuation system <NUM>, the brake system <NUM> and/or the cutter assembly <NUM>, if such components are present. This may include operating one or more of the motor <NUM>, the braking actuator <NUM>, the locking actuator <NUM>, and/or the cutter actuator <NUM>. For example, the controller unit <NUM> may start and stop the actuation system <NUM>. In an embodiment, there is no clutch unit <NUM>, with the controller unit <NUM> operating intermittently the actuation system <NUM> and the brake system <NUM> to wind the cable <NUM> and drop the mass <NUM>. The controller unit <NUM> may release the brake system <NUM> if normally closed, or otherwise activate the brake system <NUM>. The controller unit <NUM> may operate the cutter assembly <NUM> to section the cable <NUM>, in emergency situations. The controller unit <NUM> may have a slave unit on the reeling apparatus <NUM>, and a master unit in the cockpit (e.g., as part of the flight management console), or usable as a remote control or like handheld device (including smartphone and tablet). The controller unit <NUM> may consequently include wireless telecommunication capacity, or wired communication capacity. The various components of the controller unit <NUM> may be self-powered, with batteries.

During use, the reeling apparatus <NUM> is attached directly to the rotorcraft A or via a sling <NUM>, as an example. The cable <NUM> is wound to the spool assembly <NUM> in such a way that the impactor mass <NUM> is in a loaded condition. In an embodiment, the brake system <NUM> is normally closed, whereby the brake system <NUM> ensures that the impactor mass <NUM> remains in the loaded condition. The locking actuator <NUM> may also assist in performing this function, or provide another level of safety supplementary to that of the brake system <NUM>.

The rotorcraft A may then transport the impactor mass <NUM> in a hung arrangement, to reach an impacting site. For example, the impacting site may be one where a log jam or ice jam is present in a waterway (e.g., river, brook). Other circumstances are applicable, include the demolition of buildings and structures. The rotorcraft A hovers over the impacting target, within the height of operation (i.e., at most at the height of operation), and the impactor mass <NUM> is released by action of the brake system <NUM>. The impactor mass <NUM> drops by gravity. In an embodiment, the brake system <NUM> is activated for the brake system <NUM> to remove its braking effort on the spool assembly <NUM>. In this embodiment or in another embodiment, the locking actuator <NUM> may also be activated to stop its blocking effort on the spool assembly <NUM>. Because of such release, the impactor mass <NUM> drops and impacts the impacting target.

After impaction, the cable <NUM> must be wound to return the impactor mass <NUM> to a loaded condition. This is partially achieved by the actuation system <NUM> or (not within the scope of the claims:) by a self-winding arrangement, and by the rotorcraft A reducing its altitude. These actions may for example occur simultaneously. In that way, the actuation system <NUM> or self-winding arrangement may dedicate their forces to the winding action, without being required to raise the impactor mass <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the motor <NUM> continuously runs. However, the clutch unit <NUM> disengages the motor <NUM> from the spool assembly <NUM> such that the motor <NUM> does not have to lift the impactor mass <NUM>. In such a scenario, the motor <NUM> is engaged to the spool assembly <NUM> only when there is a loss of tension in the cable <NUM>, such as when the rotorcraft A reduces its altitude to wind the cable <NUM> on the spool assembly <NUM>. As a result, the motor <NUM> may be of lesser size than a motor that would be tasked with lifting the impactor mass <NUM>. The actuation system <NUM> is therefore tasked with maintaining the cable <NUM> taut and reeling in the cable <NUM>, but may not be capable of supporting the impactor mass <NUM>. This may be an action performed by the brake system <NUM> acting on the spool assembly <NUM>.

In case of emergency, such as if the impactor mass <NUM> being stuck, the rotorcraft A may increase its altitude to a height at which the cable <NUM> detaches from its engagement with the spool assembly <NUM>. It may also be possible to section the cable <NUM> using the cutter assembly <NUM>.

In another embodiment, outside the scope of the invention as defined in claim <NUM>, the impactor mass <NUM> is connected to the cable <NUM> by an electromagnet at the end of the cable <NUM>, and operated by the controller <NUM> to release the impactor mass <NUM> when over an impacting site. The electromagnet could be used with the reeling apparatus <NUM> as an option. The cable <NUM> would be structural, i.e., support the impactor mass <NUM>, but would also power the electromagnet.

The controller unit <NUM> may be part of a system for operating an impaction with an impactor mass at an end of at least one cable, with one or more processing unit, and a non-transitory computer-readable memory communicatively coupled to the processing unit and comprising computer-readable program instructions executable by the processing unit. The instructions may be for actuating a rotation of a spool to maintain the cable taut, and to wind the cable on the spool without raising the impactor mass; braking the rotation of the spool to hold the impactor mass in a loaded condition; and releasing the brake to cause a drop of the impactor mass by gravity, from the loaded condition. The computer-readable program instructions may further be for for activating a braking actuator for releasing the brake, and deactivating the braking actuator for braking the rotation; for activating a locking actuator to redundantly braking the rotation of the spool; for actuating a cutter to section the cable; and/or for operating an electromagnet to cause a drop of the impactor mass by gravity, from the loaded condition; for latching the impactor mass to the cable by operating the electromagnet.

Claim 1:
An impactor apparatus (<NUM>) for use with a rotorcraft (A), comprising:
a reeling apparatus (<NUM>) adapted to be transported by the rotorcraft (A), the reeling apparatus (<NUM>) including at least
a spool (<NUM>),
an actuation system (<NUM>) for rotating the spool (<NUM>) in a winding direction, and
a brake system (<NUM>) for braking a rotation of the spool (<NUM>);
a cable (<NUM>) wound onto the spool (<NUM>); and
an impactor mass (<NUM>) attached to a free end of the cable (<NUM>);
wherein a release of the brake system (<NUM>) causes a drop of the impactor mass (<NUM>) by gravity, from a loaded condition, the actuating system (<NUM>) is configured to subsequently rotate the spool (<NUM>) to wind the cable (<NUM>) onto the spool (<NUM>) to put the impactor mass (<NUM>) in a loaded condition.