Energy-efficient launch system for aerial vehicles

An energy-efficient launch system that utilizes the principles of whip dynamics to launch payloads at high speeds is described. The launch system may include a marine vehicle having an onboard power source. A tapered, superconducting cable may be retractably connected to the marine vehicle via a win...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Kimchi, Gur, LeGrand, III, Louis LeRoi
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 11.02.2020
Subjects
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

Loading…
More Information
Summary:An energy-efficient launch system that utilizes the principles of whip dynamics to launch payloads at high speeds is described. The launch system may include a marine vehicle having an onboard power source. A tapered, superconducting cable may be retractably connected to the marine vehicle via a winch and electrically connected to the power source. One or more aerial vehicles may be coupled to and receive power via the cable. To launch a payload at the end of the cable, the marine vehicle, winch, and/or aerial vehicles may be operated in coordination to create, propagate, and accelerate a whip waveform along the cable toward the payload.
Bibliography:Application Number: US201715451218