Methods and apparatus to recover unmanned aerial vehicles with kites

US11772816B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• IN-SITU, INC. · US

Inventors

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

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 1, 2021
• Grant date: Oct 3, 2023
• Expiry date: Jul 1, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64U2101/00
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus to recover unmanned aerial vehicles with kites are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a tether line to be supported by a kite at a distal end thereof, and a release to deploy and expand a parafoil from at least one of the tether line or the kite in response to the aircraft contacting the tether line.