Payload deployment system and method

US8910557B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Raytheon Company · US

Inventors

• Donald P. Cox · Wantage, US
• Robert W. Knox · Oro Valley, US
• Derek S. WALL · Tucson, US
• Michael D. Stokes · Simpsonville, US
• Darren C. Smith · Sammamish, US
• Scott Martin · Goleta, US
• Michael John Holt · Kenilworth, GB
• Bradley M Gaul · Tucson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 30, 2013
• Grant date: Dec 16, 2014
• Expiry date: Jan 30, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F41F3/04
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A payload deployment system includes a mount for receiving one or more payload modules that each include one or more payloads to be deployed. The payload modules also each include a sleeve, with the one or more payloads are in one or more openings in the sleeve. The payloads may be contained in respective containers, such as hermetically-sealed containers, that are in the openings. The electrical coupling may be wireless coupling, for transferring electrical power to the payload module(s), and for communication, such as networked communication, between the mount and the one or more payload modules. The wireless coupling may be inductive coupling that involves overlap of inductive elements such as wire coils. The payload deployment system may also include one or more translators for translating commands and/or other communications between the one or more payload modules and a platform to which the payload deployment system is coupled.