Capturing hook for aerial system
A capturing hook for engaging a cable during capture and release of an aerial vehicle may comprise a first and second gate pivotally supported at their first ends by a base portion and each being movable between a closed position and an open position, but spring-biased to the closed position. The capturing hook may further include a latch device comprising a movable locking part biased by a return spring to a locked position to lock the second gate in the closed position.
1. A capturing hook for engaging a cable during capture and release of an aerial vehicle, the capturing hook comprising:
a first gate pivotally supported at a first end by a base portion and movable between a closed position and an open position;
a first return spring biasing the first gate to the closed position;
a second gate pivotally supported at a first end by the base portion and movable between a closed position and an open position;
a second return spring biasing the second gate to the closed position; and
a latch device comprising a movable locking part biased by a return spring to a locked position to lock the second gate in the closed position.
2. The capturing hook of claim 1 , wherein the capturing hook releases the cable by moving the second gate into the open position.
3. The capturing hook of claim 1 , wherein the capturing hook captures the cable by moving the first gate into the open position.
4. The capturing hook of claim 1 , wherein the latch device's movable locking part is released from the locked position by a servo-controlled release wire, thereby allowing the second gate to move to the open position.
5. The capturing hook of claim 1 , wherein the first gate and the second gate are fabricated from a non-conductive material.
6. The capturing hook of claim 5 , wherein the first gate comprises a first electrical contact and the second gate comprises a second electrical contact.
7. The capturing hook of claim 6 , wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are fabricated from a non-corrosive material.
8. The capturing hook of claim 1 , wherein the base portion is a shank of an arresting device coupled to the aerial vehicle.
9. The capturing hook of claim 1 , wherein the capturing hook further comprises an induction coil to facilitate inductive coupling with the cable.
10. An aerial vehicle for capturing an arresting cable, the aerial vehicle comprising:
a fuselage having a propulsion system; and
an arresting device coupled to the fuselage to capture the arresting cable,
wherein the arresting device includes a shank coupled to the fuselage at its first end and to a capturing hook at its second end,
wherein the capturing hook comprises a first gate, a first return, a second gate, a second return, and a latch device,
wherein the first gate is pivotally supported at a first end by the shank and movable between a closed position and an open position, the first return spring biasing the first gate to the closed position,
wherein the second gate pivotally supported at a first end by the shank and movable between a closed position and an open position, the second return spring biasing the second gate to the closed position, and
wherein the latch device includes a movable locking part biased by a return spring to a locked position to lock the second gate in the closed position.
11. The aerial vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the capturing hook releases the arresting cable by moving the second gate into the open position.
12. The aerial vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the capturing hook captures the arresting cable by moving the first gate into the open position.
13. The aerial vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the movable locking part is released from the locked position by a servo-controlled release wire, thereby allowing the second gate to move to the open position.
14. The aerial vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the first gate and the second gate are fabricated from a non-conductive material.
15. The aerial vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the first gate comprises a first electrical contact and the second gate comprises a second electrical contact.
16. The aerial vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are fabricated from a non-corrosive material.
17. The aerial vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the aerial vehicle is configured to couple and decouple with the arresting cable via the capturing hook.
18. The aerial vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the capturing hook further comprises an induction coil to facilitate inductive coupling with the arresting cable.
19. A capturing hook for engaging a cable during capture and release of an aerial vehicle, the capturing hook comprising:
a first gate pivotally supported at a first end by a base portion and movable between a closed position and an open position;
a first return spring biasing the first gate to the closed position;
a second gate pivotally supported at a first end by the base portion and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the first gate comprises a first electrical contact and the second gate comprises a second electrical contact;
a second return spring biasing the second gate to the closed position; and
a latch device comprising a movable locking part biased by a return spring to a locked position to lock the second gate in the closed position.
20. The capturing hook of claim 19 , wherein the movable locking part is released from the locked position by a servo-controlled release wire, thereby allowing the second gate to move to the open position.