US6056237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sonotube compatible unmanned aerial vehicle and system
Assignee: 1281329 Alberta Ltd
•
Filing: 1997-06-25
•
Granted: 2000-05-02
•
Expires: 2017-06-25
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is generally comprised of a sonotube-compatible unmanned aerial vehicle apparatus, hereinafter referred to as a UAV, and systems for launch and control of the UAV. The UAV is generally comprised of modular sections including a nose section, a payload section, a wing and fuel tank section, and a powerplant section. The modular sections are attached to adjacent sections by uniform lock sealing rings and related components. The present invention comprises an apparatus enabling very small, man portable, ballistically launched, autonomously or semi-autonomously controlled vehicle to be deployed with preprogrammed, communicated, or telemetry mission programming. A wide range of payload packages, including emergency supplies, sensors, and antenna assemblies, may be carried, used or deployed in flight. Man-portable operation is accomplished by the use of a launch canister apparatus. The launch canister comprises retractable launch stabilizing legs, turbine engine exhaust orifices, and various antennas. The launch canister apparatus alternatively comprises a modified type "A", "B", or "C" sonotube launch canister. The system of the invention also comprises a portable Command, Control, Communications, Computer, and Intelligence (C4I) control and sensing analysis console. The console is preferably ruggedized, waterproof, shockproof, and comprises necessary control and analysis computers, input/output devices, antennas, and related hardware and software for vehicle and mission control. A C4I console and/or launch canisters may be transported by means of a backpack adapted for man portability.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. K. Woodland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:16
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C3/00; B64C3/38; B64C3/40; B64C5/00; B64C5/10; B64C5/12; B64D; B64D1/00; B64D1/02; B64D33/00; B64D33/02; B64D7/00; B64D7/08; B64U; B64U30/00; B64U30/10; B64U30/12; B64U80/00; B64U80/60; F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/02; F42; F42B; F42B12/00; F42B12/02; F42B12/36; F42B12/365; F42B15/00; F42B15/10; F42B15/105; F42B15/22; B64U2101/00; B64U2101/15; B64U2101/30; B64U2201/00; B64U2201/10; B64U2201/20; B64U50/00; B64U50/10; B64U50/12; B64U50/15; B64U70/00; B64U70/20; B64U70/70; B64U70/80; B64U70/83; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A sonotube compatible unmanned aerial vehicle having an airframe comprising adjacent sections, said sections comprising: a) a nose section; b) a payload section attached to said nose section, said payload section housing at least one deployable payload; c) a wing and fuel tank section attached to said payload section; and d) a powerplant section attached to said wing and fuel tank section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
A sonotube compatible unmanned aerial vehicle having an airframe comprising adjacent sections, said sections comprising: a) a nose section; b) a payload section attached to said nose section, said payload section housing at least one deployable payload; c) a wing and fuel tank section attached to said payload section; and d) a powerplant section attached to said wing and fuel tank section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein said adjacent sections of said airframe are modular, such that each section may be replaced by similar sections having alternative configurations and capabilities.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein said nose section comprises electronic sensors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 3, wherein said sensors comprise at least one optical sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 3, wherein said sensors comprise at least one non-optical sensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein said nose section comprises at least one gimbal-mounted sensor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein said wing and fuel tank section comprises retractable wings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 7, wherein said wings are field configurable such that said wings may be adapted for a range of flight requirements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 7, wherein said wings comprise at least one integrated flat patch steered antenna array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein said powerplant section comprises a turbojet engine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein said powerplant section comprises means for rocket-assisted launch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein said unmanned aerial vehicle comprises means for airborne launch of said unmanned aerial vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
A sonotube compatible unmanned aerial vehicle having an airframe comprising adjacent sections, said sections comprising: a) a nose section; b) a payload section attached to said nose section; c) a wing and fuel tank section attached to said payload section; d) a powerplant section attached to said wing and fuel tank section; and wherein said unmanned aerial vehicle is capable of man portable ballistic launch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
A sonotube compatible unmanned aerial vehicle having an airframe comprising adjacent sections, said sections comprising: a) a nose section; b) a payload section attached to said nose section; c) a wing and fuel tank section attached to said payload section; d) a powerplant section attached to said wing and fuel tank section; and wherein said unmanned aerial vehicle is capable of man portable ballistic launch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13 said adjacent sections are in electrical communication by means of at least one power and data relay conduit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, wherein said adjacent sections are attached by water-tight threaded sealing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, wherein said airframe comprises at least one integrated antenna array.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, wherein said payload section comprises at least one rotary payload launcher.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, wherein said payload section is adapted for storing and deploying payloads.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 18, wherein said payloads comprise at least one terrestrial sensor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 18, wherein said payloads comprise at least one marine sensor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 18, wherein said payloads comprise at least one spider robot.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 18, wherein said payloads comprise at least one optical sensor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 18, wherein said payloads comprise at least one antenna.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, wherein said powerplant section comprises a plurality of extendible axially-arrayed control fins.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, wherein said powerplant section comprises a tailpipe and a ceramic heat shield and accessories arrayed around said tailpipe.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for launching a sonotube compatible unmanned aerial vehicle having an airframe comprising adjacent sections, said sections comprising: a) a nose section; b) a payload section attached to said nose section; c) a wing and fuel tank section attached to said payload section; and d) a powerplant section attached to said wing and fuel tank section; wherein said system comprises: a sonotube compatible launch canister having exhaust orifices, extendible legs and a carrying strap; a sonotube compatible backpack assembly having at least one spare unmanned aerial vehicle, at least one RF antenna, and at least one GPS antenna; and a portable C4I control station.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for launching a sonotube compatible unmanned aerial vehicle having an airframe comprising adjacent sections, said sections comprising: a) a nose section; b) a payload section attached to said nose section; c) a wing and fuel tank section attached to said payload section; and d) a powerplant section attached to said wing and fuel tank section; wherein said system comprises: a sonotube compatible launch canister having exhaust orifices, extendible legs and a carrying strap; a sonotube compatible backpack assembly having at least one spare unmanned aerial vehicle, at least one RF antenna, and at least one GPS antenna; and a portable C4I control station.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-02 | 2003-11-01 | 2004-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-02 | 2007-11-01 | 2008-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-02 | 2011-11-01 | 2012-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |