Patent · US Active

System and method of blade-tip facilitated aircraft capture

US11230389B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by

10References

4Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Lockheed Martin Corporation · US

Inventors

Dustin Eli Gamble · San Luis Obispo, US
Matthew Curran · San Diego, US

Key dates

Filing date	Aug 28, 2017
Grant date	Jan 25, 2022
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jul 9, 2039

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB64U2101/00
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of capturing an aerial vehicle comprises rotating a first blade of the aerial vehicle, the first blade coupled to a hub of the aerial vehicle and having a contour configured to facilitate entanglement of a payload line of a winch system around the aerial vehicle. The method further comprises contacting, by a leading edge of the first blade, the payload line of the winch system and pulling the payload line towards the hub of the aerial vehicle, wherein the payload line is pulled towards the hub as the first blade continues to rotate and wherein continued rotation of the first blade causes the payload line to be tangled around the hub of the aerial vehicle.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.