WO2021009159A1 - Net-catching drone, system, and method for catching a flying drone - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a net-catching drone for catching a flying drone using a net. The net catching drone comprises a drive device, a net launching device for launching the net onto the flying drone, a first interference transmitter for emitting a first interference signal ranging from 2.4 to 2.5 GHz, a second interference transmitter (32) for emitting a second interference signal ranging from 5.0 to 5.9 GHz, a third interference transmitter (33) for emitting a third interference signal ranging from 1.3 to 1.7 GHz, a camera for capturing video images of the flying drone, and a transmission unit for transmitting a data signal ranging from 1.0 to 1.2 GHz to a remote control, said data signal containing the captured video images.

Description

NET CATCHING DRONE, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CATCHING ONE

FLYING DRONE

The present invention relates to a net catching drone for catching a flying drone by means of a network, a system with such a net catching drone and a remote control for controlling the net catching drone and a method for catching a flying drone with such a net catching drone.

It is more and more common for drones to disrupt private or public spaces, such as airports, test tracks for automobile manufacturers, shipyards for mega-yachts, sports stadiums, prisons or public events such as concerts.

At airports it is more and more common for flying drones, so-called spotter drones, to disrupt air traffic at the airport. Such a flying drone can also be referred to as a disruptive drone, spotter drone, spy drone or attacking drone.

Of course, it is desirable to repel such a disruptive drone. However, it is not possible, for example, at airports or in public places to shoot down such an attacking drone. An attacking drone is therefore preferably captured, for example by means of a network.

For example, the spotter drones mentioned above, such as a Phantom III or a Phantom IV, weigh about 1.3 kg and are controlled by a pilot using a remote control (radio remote control), conventionally using control signals in a frequency range between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz or by means of control signals in a frequency range between 5.7 and 5.9 GHz. Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to improve the defense against a flying drone.

According to a first aspect, a net catching drone for catching a flying drone by means of a net is proposed. The net catching drone comprises: a drive device, in particular having a plurality of propellers,

a net launch device for launching the net on the flying drone,

a first jamming transmitter for transmitting a first jamming signal with at least one first frequency from a first frequency range between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz,

a second jamming transmitter for emitting a second jamming signal with at least one second frequency from a second frequency range between 5.0 and 5.9 GHz,

a third jamming transmitter for transmitting a third jamming signal with at least a third frequency from a third frequency range between 1.3 and 1.7 GHz, preferably between 1560 and 1620 MHz,

at least one camera to record video images of the flying drone, and

a transmitting unit for transmitting a data signal showing the recorded video images in a fourth frequency range between 1.0 and 1.2 GHz to a remote control.

The first interference signal has one or more frequencies, in particular a large number, from the first frequency range of 2.4 to 2.5 GHz. The first interference signal is thus suitable for disrupting control signals and other data signals, such as video downlinks, in the frequency range from 2.4 to 2.5 GHz of the attacking drone.

Furthermore, the second interference signal has one or more frequencies, in particular a plurality, from the second frequency range from 5.0 to 5.9 GHz, preferably from 5.7 to 5.9 GHz. Consequently, the second interference signal is suitable for control signals and other data signals, such as video downlinks, to disrupt the attacking drone in the frequency range from 5.0 to 5.9 GHz.

The third interference signal has one or more frequencies, in particular a lot, from the third frequency range between 1.3 and 1.7 GHz. The third interference signal is therefore suitable for disrupting satellite navigation systems such as GPS and / or the GLONASS for the attacking drone. This means that the attacking drone cannot use a satellite navigation system such as GPS or GLONASS.

This means that the attacking drone cannot be flown back under the control of its pilot or with the help of a satellite navigation system. As a result, the attacking drone will remain in place or, if carried by local wind, drift away somewhat. In this paralyzed or quasi paralyzed state, the attacking drone can then be caught by the net-catching drone. For example, the net catching drone flies to a predetermined position at a predetermined height (for example 2-4 m) above the attacking drone. When this predetermined position is reached, the net launching device shoots the net at the attacking drone and captures it by means of the net that was shot. The net is, for example, connected in the middle with a cord to a net funnel of the net launching device. This means that the captured drone can be transported away by the net capture drone.

The net catching drone can also be referred to as a drone device or drone. The net catching drone is suitable to carry loads of up to 4 kg by means of the net.

The flying drone can also be referred to as a disruptive drone, sturgeon drone, spotter drone, spy drone or attacking drone. The respective frequency range can also be referred to as a frequency band. The drive device preferably comprises at least one motor, at least one gearbox and further drive means such as propellers. In particular, the net interception drone is designed as a multicopter with, for example, six per pellers.

The respective camera (video camera) can be designed, for example, as a day vision camera, as a thermal imaging camera or as an infrared camera.

According to one embodiment, the third frequency range is assigned to the frequencies of at least one satellite navigation system.

The third jamming transmitter thus interferes with the use of one or more satellite navigation systems with its emitted interference signals. In other words, the attacking drone can no longer use satellite navigation systems such as GPS or GLONASS due to the use of the third interference signal.

According to a further embodiment, the third frequency range is assigned to the frequencies of GPS and / or GLONASS.

According to a further embodiment, the net interception drone has a receiving unit for receiving control signals in a fifth frequency range below 1.0 GHz from the remote control.

The pilot of the net catching drone can control it using the remote control. For this purpose, control signals with frequencies below 1 GHz are used so that these control signals are not disrupted by any of the three jamming transmitters of the net interception drone. Examples of frequencies for this are 433 MHz, 868 MHz or 900 MHz.

According to a further embodiment, the net catching drone has a control unit which is set up to drive the drive device and the Net launching device by means of the STEU received by the remote control in such a way that the net catching drone flies to a predetermined position at a predetermined height above the flying drone and then, when the predetermined position is reached, the net launching device shoots the net onto the flying drone .

The attacking drone is paralyzed by the use of the three jamming transmitters or the emitted interference signals and can be approached by the net interception drone. As stated above, the net catching drone flies to a predetermined position at a predetermined height, for example 2-4 m, over the flying drone. When this predetermined position is reached, the net shooting device shoots its net at the flying drone and thus captures it. This allows the net catching drone to transport the drone caught in the net.

According to a further embodiment, a tracking unit is provided for providing tracking data from the flying drone. The control unit is set up to control the drive device and the net launching device using the tracking data provided in such a way that the net catching drone flies to a predetermined position at a predetermined height above the flying drone and then when it reaches the predetermined position Position the net launch device shoots the net onto the flying drone.

In this embodiment, the net interception drone is advantageously self-sufficient. A pilot's assistance or intervention is advantageously not necessary when catching the flying drone. The tracking unit of the net catching drone follows the trail of the flying drone and provides its data to the control unit of the net catching drone. Using this data, the tracking data, the control unit controls the drive device and the net release device of the net catching drone. The net catching drone controls automatically, ge controlled by its control unit and the tracking data, to the predetermined one Position at the predetermined height above the flying drone. When this predetermined position is reached, the control unit then controls the net launching device in such a way that it fires its net at the flying drone and thus catches the flying drone.

According to a further embodiment, a control unit is provided which is set up to switch on the first jamming transmitter, the second jamming transmitter and the third jamming transmitter for jamming the flying drone at the same time or in a predetermined sequence, in particular when the net-catching drone is within a predetermined distance of the flying drone.

The predetermined distance is, for example, 500 m. If the net interception drone is within this distance of 500 m, the control unit switches on the jammers. As a result, the net catching drone will paralyze the flying drone and, as stated above, can then catch the paralyzed drone.

According to a further embodiment, the network is connected to the network launch device by means of a line.

Because the net is connected to the net funnel of the net catching drone by means of a cord, the net catching drone can transport the captured drone away, in particular to a location given by the pilot of the net catching drone.

According to a further embodiment, the net catching drone is designed as a multicopter.

The respective unit, for example the control unit, can be implemented in terms of hardware and / or also in terms of software. In the case of a hardware-technical implementation, the respective unit can be used as a device or as part of a device, for example as a computer or as a microprocessor or FPGA be designed. In a software implementation, the respective unit can be designed as a computer program product, as a function, as a routine, as part of a program code or as an executable object.

According to a second aspect, a system for catching a flying drone with a net interception drone according to the first aspect or according to an embodiment of the first aspect and a remote control for controlling the net interception drone is proposed.

According to a third aspect, a method for catching a flying drone with a net catching drone according to the first aspect or according to an embodiment of the first aspect is proposed. The procedure has the following steps:

a) Flying the net catching drone to a predetermined position at a predetermined height above the flying drone,

b) switching on the first jammer, the second jammer and the third jammer for jamming the flying drone at the same time or in a specific sequence when the net interception drone is within a predetermined distance from the flying drone, and

c) shooting the net onto the flying drone when it reaches the predetermined position by means of the net launching device of the net catching drone.

Further possible implementations of the invention also include combinations, not explicitly mentioned, of features or embodiments described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. The person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention.

Further advantageous configurations and aspects of the invention are the subject matter of the subclaims and the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. In the following, the invention is based on preferred embodiments explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figure.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment ei ner net catching drone;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of a net catching drone; and

3 shows a schematic flow diagram of an embodiment of a

Procedure for catching a flying drone with a net-catching drone.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements have been given the same reference symbols, unless otherwise stated.

In Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a net catching drone 1 is shown.

The net catching drone 1 has a housing 10 in which or on which the fol lowing units and / or devices are arranged.

The net catching drone 1 has a drive device which, in particular, has a motor, a transmission and further drive means, such as propellers 11-16. Without limiting the generality, the net interception drone 1 of FIG. 1 is designed as a multicopter with six propellers 11-16. The net catching drone 1 also has a net launching device 22 for launching a net 21 onto the flying drone. The net launching device 22 shoots its net 21, preferably by means of air pressure, onto the flying drone. The net 21 is connected to the net launching device 22 by means of a cord or leash, so that the net catching drone 1 can transport the captured drone away. Furthermore, the net interception drone 1 has three jammers 31, 32, 33, which are drawn cal cally in FIG.

A first jamming transmitter 31 is set up to transmit a first jamming signal with at least one first frequency from a first frequency range between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz. A second jamming transmitter 32 is set up to transmit a second jamming signal with at least one second frequency from a second frequency range between 5.0 and 5.9 GHz.

A third jamming transmitter 33 is set up to transmit a third jamming signal with at least a third frequency from a third frequency range between 1.3 and 1.7 GHz.

Furthermore, the net interception drone 1 comprises a number of cameras 41, 42 for recording video images of the flying drone. Without restricting the generality, the net catching drone 1 in FIG. 1 has two cameras 41, 42.

The net interception drone 1 further comprises a transmission unit 51 for sending a data signal containing the recorded video images in a fourth frequency range between 1.0 and 1.2 GHz to a remote control 2 (see FIG. 2 of the net interception drone 1.

2 shows a schematic view of a second exemplary embodiment of a net catching drone 1. The second exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2 comprises all features of the first embodiment of the net catching drone 1 according to FIG. 1. Furthermore, the net catching drone 1 of FIG. 2 comprises a receiving unit 52, a control unit 53, and a tracking unit 54. To form a further embodiment, only some of the units 52, 53, 54 can also be combined with the first embodiment of FIG. The receiving unit 52 is set up to receive control signals in a fifth frequency range below 1.0 GHz from the remote control 2 (radio remote control). This allows the pilot of the net interception drone 1 to control the net interception drone 1 by means of his remote control 2 without the related control signals from the jammers 31, 32, 33 could be disturbed, since all the interference signals are above 1.3 GHz and the control signals below 1.0 GHz.

The control unit 53 shown in Fig. 2 is set up to control the drive device 11-16 and the network release device 22 by means of the interference signals received from the remote control 2 in such a way that the net-catching drone 1 to a predetermined position in a predetermined Height, for example 5 m, flies above the flying drone and then when reaching the predetermined position, the net launching device 22 shoots the net 21 at the drone flying below.

If a tracking unit 54 is provided, the net catching drone 1 is suitable for automatic operation. The tracking unit 54 is set up to provide tracking data for the flying drone. Then the control unit 53 can control the drive device 11- 16 and the net launching device 22 by means of the tracking data provided in such a way that the net catching drone 1 flies to the predetermined position above the flying drone and then when it reaches the predetermined position Net launch device 22 shoots her net 21 onto the flying drone.

The control unit 53 is preferably set up to switch on the first jamming transmitter 31, the second jamming transmitter 32 and the third jamming transmitter 33 for jamming the flying drone at the same time or in a predetermined sequence, in particular when the net interception drone 1 is within a predetermined distance (for example 500 m ) to the flying drone. FIG. 3 shows a schematic flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for catching a flying drone with a net catching drone 1. Examples of such a net-catching drone 1 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The method of FIG. 3 has the method steps S1 to S3:

In step S1 the net catching drone 1 is flown to a predetermined position at a predetermined height above the flying drone.

In step S2, in particular during the approaching process, the first jamming transmitter 31, the second jamming transmitter 32 and the third jamming transmitter 33 are switched on simultaneously or in a predetermined sequence to interfere with the flying drone, especially when the net interception drone 1 is within a predetermined distance , e.g. B. 500 m, to the flying drone.

In step S3, the net 21 on the flying drone is shot down by means of the net launching device 22 of the net catching drone 1 when the predetermined position is reached, so that the attacking drone is captured by the shot down net.

Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways.

REFERENCE LIST

1 net catcher drone

2 remote control

10 housing

11 propellers

12 propellers

13 propellers

14 propellers

15 propellers

16 propellers

21 network

22 Power off device 31 first jammer

32 second jammer

33 third jammer

41 camera

42 camera

51 connector

52 Receiver unit

53 Control Unit

54 tracking unit

S1 - S3 process steps

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Net catching drone (l) for catching a flying drone of a net

zes (21), with: a drive device (11-16), in particular having a plurality of propellers, a net launching device (22) for launching the net (2 l) onto the flying drone, a first jamming transmitter (31) for transmitting a first jamming signal with at least one first frequency from a first frequency range between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz, a second jamming transmitter (32) for transmitting a second jamming signal with at least one second frequency from a second frequency range between 5.0 and 5.9 GHz, a third jamming transmitter (33) for transmitting a third jamming signal with at least one third frequency from a third frequency range between 1.3 and 1.7 GHz, at least one camera (41, 42) for recording video images of the flying drone, and a transmitting unit (51) for transmitting a data signal containing the recorded video images in a fourth frequency range between 1.0 and 1.2 GHz to a remote control (2). 2. Net catching drone according to claim 1, characterized, that the third frequency range is assigned to the frequencies of at least one satellite navigation system. 3. Net catching drone according to claim 1 or 2, characterized, that the third frequency range is assigned to the frequencies of GPS and / or GLONASS. 4. Net catching drone according to one of claims 1 to 3, marked by a receiving unit (52) for receiving control signals in a fifth frequency range below 1.0 GHz from the remote control (2). 5. Net catching drone according to claim 4, marked by a control unit (53) which is set up to control the drive device (l-16) and the net firing device (22) by means of the control signals received from the remote control (2) in such a way that the net catching drone (l) becomes a predetermined position at a predetermined height above which the drone flies and then, when the predetermined position is reached, the net launching device (22) shoots the net (2 l) onto the flying drone. 6. Net catching drone according to one of claims 1 to 5, marked by a tracking unit (54) for providing tracking data of the flying drone, the control unit (53) being set up to drive the drive device (11-16) and the net launch device (22) using the tracking data provided in this way to control that the net catching drone (l) flies to a vorbe certain position at a predetermined height above the flying drone and then when reaching the predetermined position the Netzab shot device (22) shoots the net (21) on the flying drone. 7. Net catching drone according to one of claims 1 to 6, marked by a control unit (53) which is set up to switch on the first jamming transmitter (31), the second jamming transmitter (32) and the third jamming transmitter (33) for jamming the flying drone at the same time or in a predetermined sequence, in particular when the net interception drone is switched on (l) is within a predetermined distance of the flying drone. 8. Net catching drone according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized, that the net (21) is connected to the net launching device (22) by means of a cord. 9. Net catching drone according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized, that the net catching drone (l) is designed as a multicop ter. 10. System for catching a flying drone with a net interception drone (l) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and a remote control (2) for controlling the net interception drone (l). 11. Method of catching a flying drone with a net catching drone (l) according to one of claims 1 to 9, with the steps: a) flying (Sl) the net catching drone (l) to a predetermined position at a predetermined height above the flying drone, b) Switching on (S2) the first jammer (31), the second jammer (32) and the third jammer (33) for jamming the flying drone at the same time or in a predetermined sequence when the net interception drone (l) is within a predetermined distance the flying drone is located, and c) shooting (S3) of the net (21) onto the flying drone when the predetermined position is reached by means of the net firing device (22) of the net catching drone (1).