초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for launching a remotely piloted aircraft is disclosed wherein the aircraft, is revolved about a fixed pivot point until a pretermined speed is reached whereupon the vehicle is released from the launching apparatus. The vehicle is attached to one end of a rotatable arm, the im

A method and apparatus for launching a remotely piloted aircraft is disclosed wherein the aircraft, is revolved about a fixed pivot point until a pretermined speed is reached whereupon the vehicle is released from the launching apparatus. The vehicle is attached to one end of a rotatable arm, the imbalance on the arm being counteracted by a counter weight attached to the opposite end. The counter weight is released from the arm at the same time as the aircraft so as to avoid structural damage to the apparatus caused by rotation in the unbalanced condition. The arm is oriented such that it rotates in a plane inclined obliquely to the local gravitational field of the launch site. The supporting structure for the arm may be made stationary, or may be attached to a mobile vehicle for ground transportation.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for launching a remotely piloted aircraft from a launch site comprising: a. a rotatable arm having first and second ends; b. means to support the rotatable arm such that the arm rotates in a plane disposed obliquely to the gravitational field at the launch site; c. means to releasably atta

Apparatus for launching a remotely piloted aircraft from a launch site comprising: a. a rotatable arm having first and second ends; b. means to support the rotatable arm such that the arm rotates in a plane disposed obliquely to the gravitational field at the launch site; c. means to releasably attach the remotely piloted aircraft to a first end of the arm such that thrust generated by the aircraft powerplant causes the rotatable arm to rotate; d. a counterweight; e. means to releasably attach the counterweight to a second end of the arm; and f. means to simultaneously release the attachment means for the aircraft and the counterweight so as to release them from their respective ends of the arm at a predetermined point on the circular path of travel. A method for launching a remotely piloted aircraft from a launch site comprising the steps of: a. attaching the aircraft to one end of a rotatable arm; b. attaching a counterweight to the other end of the rotatable arm; c. rotating the arm about a fixed axis such that the aircraft travels in a circular path, the plane of the circular path being disposed obliquely to the local gravitational field of the launch site; and d. simultaneously releasing the aircraft and counterweight from the arm at predetermined points on the circular path of travel.