US 12,434,837 B2
Tailsitter with pivoting pole for controlling external loads
Albert G. Brand, N. Richland Hills, TX (US); and Robert P. Wardlaw, Keller, TX (US)
Assigned to Textron Innovations Inc., Providence, RI (US)
Filed by Textron Innovations Inc., Providence, RI (US)
Filed on Sep. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/942,670.
Prior Publication US 2024/0083581 A1, Mar. 14, 2024
Int. Cl. B64D 1/22 (2006.01); B66C 1/34 (2006.01); G05D 1/00 (2024.01)
CPC B64D 1/22 (2013.01) [G05D 1/106 (2019.05); B66C 1/34 (2013.01); G05D 1/0094 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A load management system for a tailsitter aircraft, comprising:
a connection line configured to be coupled to a fuselage at a first end and comprising a cargo hook at a second end, the connection line configured to be linear from the first end to the second end;
a retractable cable configured to be deployed from the fuselage from a position aft of the first end of the connection line, the retractable cable coupled to the second end of the connection line and configured to be retracted during hover mode of the tailsitter aircraft and to deploy at least a portion of its length during transition to flight mode; and
a controller in communication with the cargo hook, the controller being configured to retract and/or deploy the retractable cable to thereby position the cargo hook based on a center of gravity of the tailsitter aircraft.