US20160137312A1 - Unmanned aerial vehicle launch system - Google Patents

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to unmanned aerial vehicle launch technologies.

Description

BACKGROUND
• 1. Field of the Invention
• This invention relates unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. More particularly, this invention relates to UAV launch technologies.
• 2. Description of Related Art
• Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are used in connection with many different operations. UAVs come in many shapes and sizes. A need exists to improve UAVs and to improve UAV launch systems to make UAVs more useful and deployable.
SUMMARY
• Aspects of the present invention relate to UAV launch technologies.
• These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the drawings. All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Embodiments are described with reference to the following Figures. The same numbers may be used throughout to reference like features and components that are shown in the Figures:
• FIG. 1 illustrates a head worn computing system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a head worn computing system with optical system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a UAV launch and communication system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a launch system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a communication system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• While the invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art and are encompassed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
• Aspects of the present invention relate to head-worn computing (“HWC”) systems. HWC involves, in some instances, a system that mimics the appearance of head-worn glasses or sunglasses. The glasses may be a fully developed computing platform, such as including computer displays presented in each of the lenses of the glasses to the eyes of the user. In embodiments, the lenses and displays may be configured to allow a person wearing the glasses to see the environment through the lenses while also seeing, simultaneously, digital imagery, which forms an overlaid image that is perceived by the person as a digitally augmented image of the environment, or augmented reality (“AR”).
• HWC involves more than just placing a computing system on a person's head. The system may need to be designed as a lightweight, compact and fully functional computer display, such as wherein the computer display includes a high resolution digital display that provides a high level of emersion comprised of the displayed digital content and the see-through view of the environmental surroundings. User interfaces and control systems suited to the HWC device may be required that are unlike those used for a more conventional computer such as a laptop. For the HWC and associated systems to be most effective, the glasses may be equipped with sensors to determine environmental conditions, geographic location, relative positioning to other points of interest, objects identified by imaging and movement by the user or other users in a connected group, and the like. The HWC may then change the mode of operation to match the conditions, location, positioning, movements, and the like, in a method generally referred to as a contextually aware HWC. The glasses also may need to be connected, wirelessly or otherwise, to other systems either locally or through a network. Controlling the glasses may be achieved through the use of an external device, automatically through contextually gathered information, through user gestures captured by the glasses sensors, and the like. Each technique may be further refined depending on the software application being used in the glasses. The glasses may further be used to control or coordinate with external devices that are associated with the glasses.
• Referring toFIG. 1, an overview of the HWCsystem100 is presented. As shown, the HWCsystem100 comprises a HWC102, which in this instance is configured as glasses to be worn on the head with sensors such that the HWC102 is aware of the objects and conditions in theenvironment114. In this instance, the HWC102 also receives and interprets control inputs such as gestures andmovements116. The HWC102 may communicate withexternal user interfaces104. Theexternal user interfaces104 may provide a physical user interface to take control instructions from a user of the HWC102 and theexternal user interfaces104 and the HWC102 may communicate bi-directionally to affect the user's command and provide feedback to theexternal device108. The HWC102 may also communicate bi-directionally with externally controlled or coordinatedlocal devices108. For example, anexternal user interface104 may be used in connection with the HWC102 to control an externally controlled or coordinatedlocal device108. The externally controlled or coordinatedlocal device108 may provide feedback to the HWC102 and a customized GUI may be presented in the HWC102 based on the type of device or specifically identifieddevice108. The HWC102 may also interact with remote devices andinformation sources112 through anetwork connection110. Again, theexternal user interface104 may be used in connection with the HWC102 to control or otherwise interact with any of theremote devices108 andinformation sources112 in a similar way as when theexternal user interfaces104 are used to control or otherwise interact with the externally controlled or coordinatedlocal devices108. Similarly, HWC102 may interpret gestures116 (e.g captured from forward, downward, upward, rearward facing sensors such as camera(s), range finders, IR sensors, etc.) or environmental conditions sensed in theenvironment114 to control either local orremote devices108 or112.
• We will now describe each of the main elements depicted onFIG. 1 in more detail; however, these descriptions are intended to provide general guidance and should not be construed as limiting. Additional description of each element may also be further described herein.
• The HWC102 is a computing platform intended to be worn on a person's head. The HWC102 may take many different forms to fit many different functional requirements. In some situations, the HWC102 will be designed in the form of conventional glasses. The glasses may or may not have active computer graphics displays. In situations where the HWC102 has integrated computer displays the displays may be configured as see-through displays such that the digital imagery can be overlaid with respect to the user's view of theenvironment114. There are a number of see-through optical designs that may be used, including ones that have a reflective display (e.g. LCoS, DLP), emissive displays (e.g. OLED, LED), hologram, TIR waveguides, and the like. In embodiments, lighting systems used in connection with the display optics may be solid state lighting systems, such as LED, OLED, quantum dot, quantum dot LED, etc. In addition, the optical configuration may be monocular or binocular. It may also include vision corrective optical components. In embodiments, the optics may be packaged as contact lenses. In other embodiments, the HWC102 may be in the form of a helmet with a see-through shield, sunglasses, safety glasses, goggles, a mask, fire helmet with see-through shield, police helmet with see through shield, military helmet with see-through shield, utility form customized to a certain work task (e.g. inventory control, logistics, repair, maintenance, etc.), and the like.
• The HWC102 may also have a number of integrated computing facilities, such as an integrated processor, integrated power management, communication structures (e.g. cell net, WiFi, Bluetooth, local area connections, mesh connections, remote connections (e.g. client server, etc.)), and the like. The HWC102 may also have a number of positional awareness sensors, such as GPS, electronic compass, altimeter, tilt sensor, IMU, and the like. It may also have other sensors such as a camera, rangefinder, hyper-spectral camera, Geiger counter, microphone, spectral illumination detector, temperature sensor, chemical sensor, biologic sensor, moisture sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and the like.
• The HWC102 may also have integrated control technologies. The integrated control technologies may be contextual based control, passive control, active control, user control, and the like. For example, theHWC102 may have an integrated sensor (e.g. camera) that captures user hand or body gestures116 such that the integrated processing system can interpret the gestures and generate control commands for theHWC102. In another example, theHWC102 may have sensors that detect movement (e.g. a nod, head shake, and the like) including accelerometers, gyros and other inertial measurements, where the integrated processor may interpret the movement and generate a control command in response. TheHWC102 may also automatically control itself based on measured or perceived environmental conditions. For example, if it is bright in the environment theHWC102 may increase the brightness or contrast of the displayed image. In embodiments, the integrated control technologies may be mounted on theHWC102 such that a user can interact with it directly. For example, theHWC102 may have a button(s), touch capacitive interface, and the like.
• As described herein, theHWC102 may be in communication withexternal user interfaces104. The external user interfaces may come in many different forms. For example, a cell phone screen may be adapted to take user input for control of an aspect of theHWC102. The external user interface may be a dedicated UI, such as a keyboard, touch surface, button(s), joy stick, and the like. In embodiments, the external controller may be integrated into another device such as a ring, watch, bike, car, and the like. In each case, theexternal user interface104 may include sensors (e.g. IMU, accelerometers, compass, altimeter, and the like) to provide additional input for controlling theHWD104.
• As described herein, theHWC102 may control or coordinate with otherlocal devices108. Theexternal devices108 may be an audio device, visual device, vehicle, cell phone, computer, and the like. For instance, the localexternal device108 may be anotherHWC102, where information may then be exchanged between theseparate HWCs108.
• Similar to the way theHWC102 may control or coordinate with local devices106, theHWC102 may control or coordinate withremote devices112, such as theHWC102 communicating with theremote devices112 through anetwork110. Again, the form of theremote device112 may have many forms. Included in these forms is anotherHWC102. For example, eachHWC102 may communicate its GPS position such that all theHWCs102 know where all ofHWC102 are located.
• FIG. 2 illustrates aHWC102 with an optical system that includes an upperoptical module202 and a loweroptical module204. While the upper and loweroptical modules202 and204 will generally be described as separate modules, it should be understood that this is illustrative only and the present invention includes other physical configurations, such as that when the two modules are combined into a single module or where the elements making up the two modules are configured into more than two modules. In embodiments, theupper module202 includes a computer controlled display (e.g. LCoS, DLP, OLED, etc.) and image light delivery optics. In embodiments, the lower module includes eye delivery optics that are configured to receive the upper module's image light and deliver the image light to the eye of a wearer of the HWC. InFIG. 2, it should be noted that while the upper and loweroptical modules202 and204 are illustrated in one side of the HWC such that image light can be delivered to one eye of the wearer, that it is envisioned by the present invention that embodiments will contain two image light delivery systems, one for each eye. It should also be noted that while many embodiments refer to the optical modules as “upper” and “lower” it should be understood that this convention is being used to make it easier for the reader and that the modules are not necessarily located in an upper-lower relationship. For example, the image generation module may be located above the eye delivery optics, below the eye delivery optics, on a side of the eye delivery optics, or otherwise positioned to satisfy the needs of the situation and/or theHWC102 mechanical and optical requirements.
• An aspect of the present invention relates to launch technologies related to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In embodiments, the launch system is adapted to use a grenade launcher (e.g. 40 mm grenade launcher) for ease of field integration. In embodiments, the launch system is adapted to be relatively quiet to allow for covert operations. When a grenade launcher is normally used in the field, quietness is not a significant requirement because the grenade being launched is going to land at a relatively short distance from the launcher and there is going to be a rather large noise made by the exploding grenade. The inventors of the present invention have realized that the use of a grenade launcher can provide ease for field integration and the launch should be relatively quiet to allow for those instances where one wants to launch the UAV and remain unnoticed. The inventors have also discovered that the use of an explosive charge to send the UAV to it's usable or near usable height can significantly save on UAV battery life and hence increase the fly time of the UAV.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a UAV launch system according to the principles of the present invention. In this embodiment, thelauncher320 may be a grenade launcher, such as a standalone grenade launcher, grenade launcher rifle combination, etc. An explosive charge may then be used to launch theUAV314 from thegrenade launcher320. In embodiments, theUAV314 is held in a launch position inside of aseparable case318. Theseparable case318 may be designed to encase theUAV314 in a launch position and theseparable case318, with the UAV inside, can be fired out of thelauncher320. Theseparable case318 may then separate from the UAV in mid-flight. Once released from theseparable case318, the UAV may deploy flight sustaining elements, such as counter rotating blades that can keep the UAV in-flight in a controlled system, as indicating as unfoldUAV position312. Once the UAV achieves its fully deployedposition304 it may fly autonomously or through the control of a remote operator. The fully deployedUAV304 may take the form of a dual counter rotating blade helicopter and it may operate a self contained camera with a field ofview310 to image the surroundings, sensors to sense environmental conditions of the surroundings, etc. The output from the camera and other sensors may be communicated to other systems through communication channel(s)308. TheUAV304 may be controlled by a person on the ground in near proximity to the UAV. For example, a person wearing aHWC102 may control the UAV as an externally controlleddevice108 through the use ofgestures116,external control devices104, etc. (as described herein elsewhere) with theHWC102 communicating with the UAV either directly or indirectly.
• As indicated inFIG. 3, the UAV may communicate with devices on the ground, such as HWC(s)102, server(s), etc. to get files, streams, etc. from the UAV's camera and other sensor systems to persons in need of such information. The ground devices may further be used to control the flight and sensor systems of the UAV. For example, a person on the ground wearing aHWC102 may receive files and streams of information from theUAV304 and the person may also control the functions of the UAV by using control technologies described herein elsewhere.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a UAV launch system adapted to be loaded and fired from a grenade launcher (not shown). The UAV launch system illustrated in this embodiment includes aseparable launch case318, which houses theUAV copter314 in a launch configuration. Theseparable launch case318 is secured to a retainedpropellant case418. Both theseparable launch case318 and the retained propellant case are configured to be loaded into a grenade launcher for launching. The retainedpropellant case418 houses apiston410 that travels on apost404. Thepiston410 is illustrated in the pre-launch or down position. The retainedpropellant case418 also includes a propellant container that contains apropellant408. The grenade launcher (not shown) will trigger thepropellant408 to initiate the UAV launch. The propellant container has vents that allow the propellant to expand rapidly into the nearby container once triggered. The expanding gas pushes thepiston410 towards theUAV314 and theseparable launch case318. The piston travels along thepost404 and the piston is stopped by thestop402 towards the top of thepost404. Thepiston410 has aseal412 that seals, at least temporarily, the vessel below thepiston410 to contain a substantial amount of the gas that expands into the vessel from the triggered propellant. The upper portion of thepiston410 may also be sealed to help prevent the expanding gas from escaping into the surrounding environment. Theseal412 contains the expanding gas and resulting pressure and also prevents a loud noise from being generated by containing the gas. If the gas were allowed to escape to the surrounding environment quickly a loud noise would occur and the launch event would be marked by a loud audio signature. The seal(s)412, or others, causing the expanding gas to be contained may permit the gas to slowly escape following the launch; so long as the leak is slow it will not cause a loud noise. The purpose of the seals is to contain the gas pressure to prevent a loud launch noise, so a substantial portion of the gas needs to be contained for at least a short period of time and then the gas can slowly escape around the seals.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a UAV communication network in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Once deployed, theUAV304 may communicate with ground personnel via optional communications links508. For example, theoptional communications links508 may include a communication protocol that involves theUAV304 communicating to aserver node504 on the ground and then the server node may communicate the information with theHWC102 nodes502. In other embodiments, theUAV304 may communicate with anHWC102 node502 directly. The HWC502 nodes and the server node may be arranged in an ad-hoc self-healing network arrangement. In other embodiments, the network topology and protocols may be otherwise arranged (e.g. spoke and hub, IP, etc.).
• Although embodiments of HWC have been described in language specific to features, systems, computer processes and/or methods, the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features, systems, computer processes and/or methods described. Rather, the specific features, systems, computer processes and/or and methods are disclosed as non-limited example implementations of HWC. All documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims (8)

We claim:

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch system, comprising:

a. A retained propellant case adapted to be loaded into a grenade launcher and to be retained by the grenade launcher following launch of the UAV, comprising:

i. a propellant in a propellant cavity; and

ii. a gas pressure containment cavity; wherein the propellant cavity further includes a vent connecting the propellant cavity and the pressure containment cavity;

iii. a piston arranged to move by a force caused by an increase in gas pressure in the gas pressure containment cavity resulting from a triggered propellant, the piston further arranged to move towards the UAV for a pre-determined distance, the piston further including a seal that substantially contains the increase in gas pressure in the gas pressure containment cavity as the piston moves to the pre-determined distance; and

b. A separable launch case adapted to be loaded into the grenade launcher, wherein the separable launch case is secured to the retained propellant case in a position such that the separable launch case is pushed by the piston as the piston moves towards the UVA, the separable launch case further comprising a UAV cavity adapted to hold the UVA in a launch position and to separate from the UAV in flight after launch.

2. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch system, comprising:

a. A retained propellant case adapted to be loaded into a grenade launcher and to be retained by the grenade launcher following launch of the UAV, comprising:

i. a gas pressure containment cavity adapted to contain, for a period of time after launch of the UAV, substantially all of an expanding gas that is used to push the UAV out of the grenade launcher, the period of time used to suppress a sound that would result if the expanding gas expanded outside of the gas pressure cavity and into an uncontained environment;

b. A separable launch case adapted to be loaded into the grenade launcher, wherein the separable launch case is secured to the retained propellant case in a position such that the expanding gas causes the separable launch case to be projected from the grenade launcher, the separable launch case further comprising a UAV cavity adapted to hold the UVA in a launch position and to separate from the UAV in flight after launch.

3. The system ofclaim 2 wherein the grenade launcher comprises a 40 mm launcher.

4. The system ofclaim 2 wherein the UAV comprises a copter with counter rotating blades.

5. The system ofclaim 2 wherein the UAV is adapted to communicate with an HWC within a proximity of the UAV after the UAV is launched from a grenade launcher.

6. The system ofclaim 5 wherein the HWC is adapted to communicate with other HWC's in an ad-hoc self healing network.

7. The system ofclaim 2 wherein the gas pressure containment cavity comprises a piston that substantial seals an expanding gas in the pressure containment cavity for at least a period of time to prevent a loud noise from the expanding gas.

8. The system ofclaim 2 wherein the UAV is flight controlled through a control command captured by a HWC.

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