David S Poling

US Patent:

20150329205, Nov 19, 2015

Filed:

Jul 6, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/792165

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
David R. Poling - West Chester PA, US

International Classification:

B64C 39/02

Abstract:

An aircraft system incorporates a first aircraft having a grappling device including a first gripper with a first actuator and a second gripper with a second actuator. The first gripper and the second gripper are movable between an open and a closed position to engage a hooking device and pivot together to change a capture angle. A first controller receives a command and operates the actuators in response to open and close the first and second grippers of the grappling device. The controller also receives a second command and operates the first and second actuators to pivot the grippers and provide grappling at a range of capture angles. A second aircraft, which may be a UAV, incorporates the hooking device. The hooking device includes a ring rotatable from the surface and a third actuator to rotate the ring between a stowed and an extended position.

US Patent:

20140117147, May 1, 2014

Filed:

Oct 30, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/664323

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
David R. Poling - West Chester PA, US

International Classification:

B64D 5/00

US Classification:

244 2

Abstract:

An aircraft system incorporates a first aircraft having a grappling device including a first gripper with a first actuator and a second gripper with a second actuator. The first gripper and the second gripper are movable between an open and a closed position to engage a hooking device and pivot together to change a capture angle. A first controller receives a command and operates the actuators in response to open and close the first and second grippers of the grappling device. The controller also receives a second command and operates the first and second actuators to pivot the grippers and provide grappling at a range of capture angles. A second aircraft, which may be a UAV, incorporates the hooking device. The hooking device includes a ring rotatable from the surface and a third actuator to rotate the ring between a stowed and an extended position.