Methods and apparatus to recover unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with kites

US11745897B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• IN-SITU, INC. · US

Inventors

• Benjamin T. Brown · Parkdale, US
• Alice Fockele · Portland, US
• Kelly A. Comstock · Carson, US
• John R. Wong · Klickitat, US
• Jacob Allen · Bingen, US
• Daniel L. Shaw · Roseville, US
• Jesse D. Kiewit · Bingen, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 9, 2019
• Grant date: Sep 5, 2023
• Expiry date: Jul 5, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05D1/105
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus to recover unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with kites are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus to recover a UAV during flight includes a tether line, a tensioner operatively coupled to the tether line, and a kite operatively coupled to the tether line to support the tether line for recovery of the UAV.