APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LAUNCH AND RETRIEVAL OF A HOVERING AIRCRAFT

摘要

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and method for launch and retrieval of a hovering aircraft. Generally, the apparatus of the present disclosure is configured to capture a hovering aircraft between two or more fingers of an aircraft capturer, guide the captured aircraft into a docking station for servicing and/or storage, and launch the aircraft from the docking station. The apparatus of the present disclosure is thus configured to bring the aircraft from an imprecise, irregular hover into a secure and well-controlled rest state. The tolerance of imprecision provided by the apparatus makes it particularly suited for use under a practical conditions such as aboard a small boat in a rough sea.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
an aircraft capturer; and a controller configured to operate with the aircraft capturer to:
(a) detect movement of a hovering aircraft;(b) automatically cause the aircraft capturer to move in a manner corresponding to the detected movement of the aircraft; and(c) when a position of the aircraft relative to the aircraft capturer is within a designated range of positions, automatically cause the aircraft capturer to capture the aircraft.