Brian David Dennis

US Patent:

7059564, Jun 13, 2006

Filed:

Jan 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/758940

Inventors:

Brian D. Dennis - White Salmon WA, US

Assignee:

The Insitu Group, Inc. - Bingen WA

International Classification:

B64F 1/02

US Classification:

244110F, 244 63, 244115, 244110 G

Abstract:

Methods and apparatuses for capturing and recovering unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be captured by a recovery line in flight, a process that can be aided by a line capture device having a retainer with two portions spaced apart by a distance great enough to receive the recovery line, e. g. , to capture the recovery line with increased security. The line capture device can be operatively mounted on a lifting surface of the aircraft.

US Patent:

7066430, Jun 27, 2006

Filed:

Jan 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/758956

Inventors:

Brian D. Dennis - White Salmon WA, US
Clifford Jackson - White Salmon WA, US
Brian T. McGeer - Underwood WA, US
Andreas H. von Flotow - Hood River OR, US

Assignee:

The Insitu Group, Inc. - Bingen WA

International Classification:

B64F 1/02

US Classification:

244110F, 244115

Abstract:

Methods and apparatuses for capturing and recovering unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be captured at an extendable boom. The boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to retrieve the aircraft in flight. The boom can be retracted when not in use to reduce the volume it occupies. A tension device coupled to the recovery line can absorb forces associated with the impact of the aircraft and the recovery line.

US Patent:

7090166, Aug 15, 2006

Filed:

Jan 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/758948

Inventors:

Brian D. Dennis - White Salmon WA, US
Andreas H. von Flotow - Hood River OR, US

Assignee:

The Insitu Group, Inc. - Bingen WA

International Classification:

B64F 1/06

US Classification:

244 63

Abstract:

Methods and apparatuses for launching unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be launched from an apparatus that includes an extendable boom. A launch carriage is positioned on a launch guide structure of the boom and carries the aircraft during takeoff. An energy reservoir is configured to provide energy to the launch carriage during takeoff of the aircraft, and can absorb energy from the launch carriage to decelerate the launch carriage after takeoff. The apparatus can further include a transmission that smoothly and rapidly accelerates and/or decelerates the launch carriage.

US Patent:

7114680, Oct 3, 2006

Filed:

Jan 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/759742

Inventors:

Brian D. Dennis - White Salmon WA, US

Assignee:

The Insitu Group, Inc. - Bingen WA

International Classification:

B64F 1/04

US Classification:

244 63, 244110 E

Abstract:

Methods and apparatuses for launching and capturing unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be launched from an apparatus that includes an extendable boom. The boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to retrieve the aircraft in flight. The aircraft can then be retrieved from the recovery line. The boom can be retracted when not in use to reduce the volume it occupies.

US Patent:

7121507, Oct 17, 2006

Filed:

Jan 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/758943

Inventors:

Brian D. Dennis - White Salmon WA, US
Clifford Jackson - White Salmon WA, US
Brian T. McGeer - Underwood WA, US

Assignee:

The Insitu Group, Inc. - Bingen WA

International Classification:

B64F 1/00

US Classification:

244110F, 244116

Abstract:

Methods and apparatuses for capturing, recovering, disassembling, and storing unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to capture the aircraft in flight, a process that can be aided by a line capture device having retainers in accordance with further aspects of the invention. The aircraft can then be returned to its launch platform, disassembled, and stored, again with little or no direct manual contact between the operator and the aircraft, for example, by capturing a first wing of the aircraft and securing a second wing before releasing the first.

US Patent:

7175135, Feb 13, 2007

Filed:

Jan 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/759545

Inventors:

Brian D. Dennis - White Salmon WA, US
Brian T. McGeer - Underwood WA, US
Cory Roeseler - Hood River OR, US

Assignee:

The Insitu Group, Inc. - Bingen WA

International Classification:

B64F 1/02

US Classification:

244110C, 244110 F

Abstract:

Methods and apparatuses for capturing and constraining motion of unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be captured at an extendable boom. The boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to retrieve the aircraft in flight. A trigger mechanism coupled to the recovery line can actuate a hoist device to reduce slack in the recovery line. A tension device coupled to the recovery line can absorb forces associated with the impact of the aircraft on the recovery line.

US Patent:

7182290, Feb 27, 2007

Filed:

Oct 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/976566

Inventors:

Steven M. Sliwa - White Salmon WA, US
Andreas H. von Flotow - Hood River OR, US
Brian D. Dennis - White Salmon WA, US

Assignee:

The Insitu Group, Inc. - Bingen WA

International Classification:

B64D 31/02

US Classification:

244 53A, 416 2, 416 62

Abstract:

Methods and systems for starting propeller driven aircraft and other devices are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a removable fixture that is coupled to the propeller and has at least one portion exposed to a flowstream to rotate the propeller during engine start-up. The fixture is configured to separate from the propeller after the engine begins to turn over (e. g. , after the engine starts and/or rotates above a threshold rate). Accordingly, the system can include a releasable link between the fixture and the propeller.

US Patent:

8136766, Mar 20, 2012

Filed:

Feb 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/024861

Inventors:

Brian D. Dennis - White Salmon WA, US

Assignee:

Insitu, Inc. - Bingen WA

International Classification:

B64C 23/06
B64C 1/00

US Classification:

2441994, 244131

Abstract:

Frangible fasteners and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, an unmanned aircraft can include a fuselage portion, a wing portion, and a winglet carried by the wing portion. The aircraft can also include at least one frangible fastener coupling the winglet to the wing portion. The fastener is coupled to only partially release the winglet from the wing portion when a force on the winglet exceeds a threshold value.