Steven H Fox

US Patent:

7089843, Aug 15, 2006

Filed:

Mar 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/503625

Inventors:

Stephen W. Miller - Cockeysville MD, US
Steven J. Fox - Parkton MD, US
David M. Feild - Lutherville MD, US
Richard A. Bauernschub - Cockeysville MD, US
Justin A. Mettee - Glen Rock PA, US

Assignee:

AAI Corporation - Hunt Valley MD

International Classification:

F41F 3/042
F41F 3/052

US Classification:

89 1806, 89 1812, 89 1815, 89 1816

Abstract:

A launcher includes a plurality of launch tubes for stowing and launching a plurality of air vehicles. A central air manifold is operatively connected to an air storage tank; a first launch tube air manifold is operatively connected to a first group of the launch tubes and operatively connected to the central air manifold. The first launch tube air manifold has a separate port corresponding to each launch tube of the first group of launch tubes. A release valve mechanism is removably mounted in one of the ports of the first launch tube air manifold, the release valve mechanism controlling the passage of launch air between the first launch tube air manifold and the launch tube corresponding to the port in which the release valve mechanism is mounted. A plug is removably mounted in each of the ports not occupied by the release valve mechanism.

US Patent:

8453967, Jun 4, 2013

Filed:

Jun 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/796950

Inventors:

Stephen W. Miller - Cockeysville MD, US
Steven J. Fox - Parkton MD, US
Graham W. Schill - Baltimore MD, US
Brian A. Aske - Parkton MD, US

Assignee:

AAI Corporation - Hunt Valley MD

International Classification:

B64F 1/02

US Classification:

244110C, 244110 R, 244110 F

Abstract:

An apparatus for the recovery of an aircraft includes a capture device and first and second pole pairs. The first pole pair includes first top and bottom poles respectively placed near first top and bottom portions of the capture device. The first pole pair is configured to move from a first position, in which the pole pair holds the capture device in an open position to capture the aircraft, to a second position, in which the pole pair holds the capture device in a closed position to contain the captured aircraft after impact of the aircraft on the capture device. The second pole pair includes second top and bottom poles respectively placed near second top and bottom portions of the capture device. The second pole pair is also configured to move from the first position to the second position. Further, energy elements are coupled on one end to a respective top or bottom portion of the capture device and on another end to a respective top or bottom pole.