Patent ID: 12234029

Similar numbers refer to similar elements throughout the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIGS.1-3depict a first exemplary configuration of an airframe2having a deployable net4that is used to disable or capture a target vehicle6.FIGS.4-6depict a second exemplary configuration of airframe2.FIGS.7-8depict a third exemplary configuration of airframe2. In general, each airframe2includes a body or fuselage configured to allow airframe2to be flown and controlled in the air. Different airframes can be used including manned aircraft or unmanned aircraft, fixed wing, rotorcraft, ducted-fan, ornithopter or orthopter, rocket/missile, and/or lighter-than-air. In the configurations ofFIGS.1-8, airframe2is able to carry and selectively deploy a net4having a span of two to ten feet although the size or net4is dependent on the size and power of airframe2. Airframe2can be flown while net4is deployed. In the winged configurations, the airframe is configured to fly in a forward direction and these airframes2are configured to deploy net4at a forward portion of the airframe body or at the front of the airframe body. In the multiple rotor configuration, the body is configured to deploy the net outwardly of the rotors so that a target will engage the net prior to contact with the rotors.

In the exemplary configurations ofFIGS.1-6, airframe2includes retractable wings12and three retractable stabilizers14. The retractability is an option that provides for alternate launching configurations. The retractable elements allow airframe2to be stored and transported easily and allow airframe to be launched from a launch tube with the wings and stabilizers being deployed immediately after launch. Each wing12includes a movable flap16and each stabilizer14includes an elevator18or rudder20that allow airframe2to be controlled by an operator. One or more pusher or puller propellers22can be used or one or more jet engines can be used to move the airframe.

Airframe2carries a power source such as batteries/fuel, an engine or engines for the propeller or rotors, and communications equipment to allow airframe2to be operated remotely. A sensor, a plurality of sensors, a camera24, or a combination of sensors and a camera are provided to assist the operator in remotely piloting airframe2. The communications equipment allows the operator to pilot airframe2through a controller such as a radio frequency controller or a mobile computer such as a smart phone using cellular, WIFI, ZigBee®, Bluetooth®, WiMAX, communications protocols or a combination of both. Autopilot systems may be included to allow the airframe to fly patrolling routes while using sensors to look for target aircraft. The software necessary to connect a ground control computer to the UAV is dependent on the autopilot system. In example, a PixHawk Autopilot uses PX4 software. DJI Autopilots use DJI Software. The autopilot software can launch, pilot, and return the UAV autonomously. Airframe2can be a type of vehicle having a range of less than 10 kilometers. Airframe2also can be the type that must be in line of sight with the user for operation. Non-limiting exemplary UAVs operable with arms30and net4include larger group 1 & 2 UAVs: Rotorcraft=Theiss Validus Hex, Theiss Validus Y6, DJI 600, DJI 1000, Fixed Wing=Theiss Primus Air. Net4can be deployed manually or automatically.

For each exemplary configuration ofFIGS.1-6, airframe2includes at least a single deployable arm30that selectively moves from a closed condition (FIGS.2and5) to an open condition (FIGS.3and6). For the exemplary configuration ofFIGS.7-8, at least two deployable arms30are used. Arms30are rigid and hold net4out in front of the major portions of arms30. As such, net4is deployed in front of the hinged connections between arms30and the body of airframe2. Arms30can be metal, plastic, carbon-fiber, wood, or other rigid material. In each configuration, net4is either connected between arm30and a portion of airframe2or portions of different arms30so that net4is spread open when arm or arms30are moved to their open conditions. Net4is configured to capture or disable a target airframe6such as a multi-rotor UAV. The operator flies airframe2until in the general area of the target vehicle. Net4is deployed by moving arm(s)30to the open condition. Net4is not launched from airframe2at target aircraft6. Rather, arms30are deployed to open net4and airframe2is flown into or just above target aircraft6causing target aircraft6to be engaged by open net4. Net4tangles and disables the propeller or rotors of the target vehicle which renders it unable to fly. In another configuration, a sensor such as a proximity sensor can be used to automatically deploy net4based on closing speed and distance of airframe2from target vehicle6.

Once the target vehicle is captured in net4, airframe2can release net4by openings net latches on arms30, release the net4and arms30as a combination, continue to fly with the captured target, or cease operations and drop to the ground. In each of these options, a parachute31can be used to control the decent of the item(s) being returned to the ground via gravity.

In the first configuration ofFIGS.1-3, two arms30deploy downwardly and laterally outwardly from a closed condition at the bottom front of the body of airframe2that is rearward of the front of the body. The connection between arms30and the body is forward of the rear of the body and is hinged. When moved to their open conditions, the two arms30hold the bottom corners of net4below and laterally outwardly of the airframe body with the other corner of net4being connected to the airframe. Arms30are rigid to hold the open condition of the net. When arms30are deployed to their open conditions, the connections between the arms30and the body of the airframe are behind net4. This allows net4to engage the target before the main portions of the arms30. In some situations, the tips of arms30can engage the target just before net4. In this configuration, the front of the airframe is disposed in front of the forward tips of arms30as they have moved back through the pivoting motion. In the exemplary configuration, net4is triangular and held open by two arms30and the body of airframe2. These two arms30can also deploy up from the top of the airframe body, from one or both sides of the airframe body, or a combination of the options. In other configurations, net4can be connected at two locations on the body of airframe2and to two arms30to provide a net4with a different shape. An option for the two-arm system ofFIG.2is providing hinged arms that pivot rearwardly after the target vehicle is captured to allow airframe2to be flown with better control after the target is captured. In this configuration, the connection between the net and the airframe body is released and arms30and net4swing rearwardly together.

In the second configuration ofFIGS.4-6, a plurality of arms30at the front of airframe2move to the open configuration to spread net4between arms30. Arms30can define the front of airframe2when closed with net4stored between the closed arms30. The exemplary configurations depict four arms30but other numbers of arms can be used. In the configuration ofFIGS.7-8, a plurality of arms30extends from a side, front, or rear of a multiple rotor airframe. In both configurations, arms30can be moved from a closed condition to an open condition to hold a net4in an open configuration where it can engage a target. Arms30are rigid to hold the open net out in front of the body of airframe2. The hinged connections between arms30and the body of the aircraft are disposed rearwardly of the open net. In these configurations, the top arms moves up and outwardly and each of the bottom arms moves down and outwardly to spread net4to an open configuration. As shown inFIGS.5and6, the front portions of the arms define the front of the airframe when the arms are both closed and open. This vehicle can use a pusher propeller22or propellers disposed on the wings12.

In these configurations, arms30can be openable in a one-way configuration or can be openable and closable in a two-way arrangement. Arms30can be opened and closed in a variety of ways with examples depicted schematically inFIGS.11-24. In each of these configurations, arms30can be connected to the body of the airframe with hinges that facilitate the pivoting movement between the conditions. In the configuration ofFIGS.11and12, arm30is pushed open by the force of the wind32that engages a baffle34disposed on the outside of the arm. The force is sufficient to push arm30from its closed condition ofFIG.11to its open configuration ofFIG.12when a stop36is removed. In this configuration, stop36is disposed rearwardly of hinge38to engage the rear end of arms30. Arm30can be moved back from the open condition to the closed condition by pivoting stop36back from its position inFIG.12to the position ofFIG.11.FIGS.13-18depict configurations using resilient members40to push arms30open when a holding force42(such as from a latch) is removed or resilient members44to pull open arms30. Resilient members40and44can be springs such as coil or torsion springs or can be rubber or polymer resilient bands or blocks. In these configurations, resilient members40and44engage arms30closer to the rear portion of arms30near hinge38.FIGS.19-24depict configurations using actuators46to push arms30open when a holding force42(such as from a latch) is removed or actuators48to pull open arms30. Actuators46and48can be pneumatic, hydraulic, or mechanical and can be one-way or two-way. Piston-cylinders, power screws, servo motors can be used as exemplary actuators. As above, actuators46and48engage arms30closer to the rear portion of arms30near hinge38.

In each of the configurations above, net4can be connected to retraction device disposed in the airframe which, when activated, retracts nets4. The retraction device can be a winch that has a cord connected to the net and pulls the net back inside the airframe when the cord is wound up. When retracted, net4pulls arms30back to their closed conditions.

Net4can be in the form of a traditional net that readily becomes entangled in the rotors of a multi-rotor drone. This traditional net is depicted inFIGS.3,6, and8and includes a plurality of intersecting, joined thin members. Exemplary thin members for net4include non-metal cords, polymer fibers, metal wires, or a combination of materials. The members can be tied or twisted at each intersection to hold the overall shape of net4. The assembly can be connected at its corners to arms30. Net4also can be structures connected to arms30that are used to disable target vehicle6. For example, in theFIG.9configuration, thin members can be disposed between the arm ends. These thin members can be non-metal cords, polymer fibers, or metal wires that are strong enough to disable or break the rotors on target vehicle6. These can be disposed in an “X” shape (FIG.9) or a frame such as the rectangle ofFIG.10. A combination of both configurations can be used.

FIGS.25-28depict aerial vehicle (fixed wing inFIGS.25-26and multiple rotor inFIGS.27-28) configurations combined with a fixed arm50intercept device that can be used to disable another airborne vehicle. The first configuration of arm50is shown inFIGS.25and27with a plurality of rigid fingers52extending from a central body54. Central body54is solid and made from a dense material to give it weight. The combination of rigid fingers52and the heavy central body provides a configuration useful for destroying rotors or propellers on other aerial vehicles. The second arm configuration ofFIGS.26and28has rigid fingers arranged perpendicular to a common cross arm like a garden rake. Arms50project from the front of a fixed wing aerial vehicle (FIGS.25-26) so that they can be rammed into another vehicle. In the configurations ofFIGS.27-28, arm50is long enough to extend outwardly of the rotors of the vehicle to ensure that arm50engages another vehicle before the rotors.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example, and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. Modifications and alterations of those embodiments will be apparent to one who reads and understands this general description. The present disclosure should be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the words “comprise” and “include” as well as variations of those words, such as “comprises,” “includes,” “comprising,” and “including” are not intended to exclude additives, components, integers, or steps.