Vertical Roller UAV Recovery System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for retrieving small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) without a runway are clumsy, potentially damaging, and require human intervention, as they often result in collisions with nets, hooks, or rough landings.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes vertically oriented rollers with a capture mechanism, such as hook-and-loop fasteners or magnetic fields, to automatically capture and hold UAVs in a vertical orientation, allowing for safe retrieval and motor shutdown without forward momentum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current retrieval methods (nets, hooks, belly-landing) are used, then UAVs can be retrieved without a runway, but the UAV may be damaged during retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by using a vertically oriented cushion formed of multiple rollers positioned to receive the UAV before contact. The rollers are covered with hook-and-loop fastener elements that provide a compliant, cushioning surface rather than a hard impact surface. This pre-positioned cushioning system absorbs the impact energy when the UAV is captured, preventing damage to the UAV structure while enabling retrieval without a runway.
2Productivity
If manual retrieval methods are used, then UAVs can be captured, but human intervention is required which reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing a capture system that automatically captures the UAV without requiring human intervention. The vertically oriented cushion with hook-and-loop fastener elements on the rollers automatically engages with corresponding elements on the UAV when it approaches in vertical orientation. The system serves itself by using the UAV's own vertical hovering capability and onboard capture elements to effect the capture, eliminating the need for manual retrieval operations and thereby improving productivity and automation extent simultaneously.
3Reliability
If UAVs are captured in horizontal orientation with forward velocity, then capture can be achieved, but momentum causes misalignment and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by changing the conventional horizontal capture approach to a vertical capture orientation. Instead of capturing the UAV in its normal horizontal flight attitude with forward velocity, the system requires the UAV to hover in vertical orientation with no forward velocity or momentum. This inverted approach reverses the capture geometry and eliminates the momentum problem, allowing the UAV to be captured in a controlled, stationary state rather than during high-speed horizontal approach, thereby improving capture accuracy and reducing damage risk.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and automatic retrieval of UAVs by mitigating misalignment and momentum issues, using resilient rollers and adaptive capture devices to minimize damage and eliminate the need for human intervention.
Implementation Method 1
each roller may be partially covered with cooperating elements of a hook-and-loop fastener
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic field can be generated adjacent the rollers
Implementation Method 3
the flexible, cushioning nature of the rollers
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for recovering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) uses the fact that many small UAVs can hover in a vertical or near-vertical attitude. An exemplary system includes two or more rollers rotatable about respective axes of rotation, a mechanism to capture a UAV, and a support to which the rollers are mounted in such a way as to place the axes of rotation in parallel in a common plane. When the plane is in a vertical orientation, the capture mechanism is enabled to capture a UAV positioned adjacent the rollers. By hovering the UAV in the vertical position there is no forward velocity or momentum, and hence the craft can more easily be captured and the motor can be shut down without damaging the UAV. Misalignment during recovery is mitigated by cushioning in the rollers and the ability of the capture mechanism to compensate for imperfect alignment.