The present invention relates to a load carrying system in air vehicles.

Load carrying systems are used in air vehicles to release or throw ammunition to a target point. In addition, for various carrying systems, there exists throwing mechanisms for holding or releasing or throwing a weight. Modern smart ammunition communicates with the air vehicle to transfer its type and characteristics to the air vehicle; however, it is disadvantageous compared to conventional ammunition in terms of both cost and accessibility. Conventional ammunition is still widely used as it is more economical and easier to manufacture. In said load carrying systems, the load is typically introduced to the air vehicle by an operator and/or a user of the air vehicle. Load releasing occurs incorrectly in the event of a possible error made by an operator and/or a user of the air vehicle. In addition, some problems have been observed in load carrying systems such as having trouble in opening of the hooks or experiencing seizing of the hooks that carry the weight while releasing the load.

In the UK patent application no. GB2538571, which is included in the known state of art, a signal emitting tag (RFID or NFC) is placed on the ammunition, and a sensor connected to a release mechanism performs measurements depending on the signal emitted by the signal emitting tag. With this measurement method, it is disclosed how to determine a type of the ammunition/load. The control of the effective attachment of the weight on the load carrying system and the effective release thereof over the load carrying system is not mentioned.

In the UK patent application no. GB2182126, which is included in the known state of art, ammunition type is detected by means of a tag that provides optical, electromagnetic or mechanical information on the ammunition through an optical, acoustic, electromagnetic or a mechanical sensor. However, multipurpose usage of the sensor is not mentioned.

In the Japanese patent application no. JPH04334698, which is included in the known state of art, the coloured dots placed on the ammunition in a certain order to distinguish the ammunition from each other enable the colour reader to distinguish the type of ammunition. However, the control of the effective attachment of the weight on the load carrying system and the effective release thereof over the load carrying system is not mentioned.

In the US patent application no. US20160231074, which is included in the known state of art, a barcode or a warning magnetic field tag attached to the ammunition is read by a barcode, a QR code, a symbol reader or a RFID sensor to detect type of ammunition. However, multipurpose and efficient usage of the sensor is not mentioned.

In the known state of art, introduction of conventional ammunition, useful loads carried by the air vehicle or weights to the air vehicle is carried out by detecting an indicator, a tag or a magnetic field on the ammunition by a sensor which is located on the release mechanism. If the hooks carrying the weight attached to the air vehicle fail to open, seize or delay to open, the load cannot be released or released in a delayed manner. For that reason, the ammunition may be released to a wrong target or damage the air vehicle.

Thanks to the carrying system according to the present invention, a fast, effective, efficient and reliable load carrying system of the release mechanisms used to release ammunition in air vehicles is obtained.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic and effective way of determining the type of useful loads attached to the air vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is to control whether the carrier hook and/or hooks located on the release mechanism function/s effectively or not.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an air vehicle which is efficient in terms of weight and complexity by preventing weight increase and system complexity in air vehicles and controlling two different data with a sensor.

The load carrying system realized to achieve the object of the invention and defined in the first claim and the other claims dependent thereon comprises a body which are located in air vehicles, preferably in a wing of the air vehicle; a release mechanism which is located on the body and to which a weight is attached, wherein the release mechanism throws and/or releases the weight attached thereto; a housing in the form of an opening or hole provided on the release mechanism; at least one hook which is located in the housing and enables the weight to be attached to and/or detached from the release mechanism; at least one ring which is located on the weight so as to extend out of the weight and is held by the hook when the weight is attached to the release mechanism; at least a first tag which may have a QR code, a barcode, a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), a NFC (nier field communication) indicating type and/or characteristics of the weight on which it is placed, color dots ordered in a certain order or marks, signs or magnetic field distinguishing type of the ammunition; at least one control unit which controls operation of the release mechanism located on the body, compares data and triggers release of the weight from the air vehicle; a hook which has a closed position (K) allowing the weight to be carried and an opened position (A) allowing the weight to be released based on the data received from the control unit, wherein the hook is rotated to be brought from the closed position (K) to the opened position (A); at least one hook mechanism which is located on the release mechanism and allows the hook to be brought into the opened position (A) and/or the closed position (K); and a reader which is capable of detecting the first tag and transmits the data detected through the first tag to the control unit.

The load carrying system according to the invention comprises at least a second tag which is located on the release mechanism, allows detecting whether the hook is in the opened position (A) and/or the closed position (K) by means of the reader, wherein a mark and/or a sign is preferably provided on the second tag; and a reader which detects the first tag and/or the second tag, transmits the detected data to the control unit, and preferably reads the first tag when the hook is in the closed position (K) and reads the second tag when the hook is in the opened position (A).

In an embodiment of the invention, the load carrying system determines position of the hook by detecting the second tag which is located on the hook and/or the hook mechanism.

In an embodiment of the invention, the load carrying system comprises a reader which detects the first tag when the hook is in the closed position (K) and detects the second tag when the hook is in the opened position (A). In an embodiment of the invention, the load carrying system comprises a reader which reads the first tag on the useful load when in the first position and reads the second tag about the hook position when in the second position.

In an embodiment of the invention, the load carrying system comprises at least one connection element which is located on the release mechanism and allows the reader to be connected to the release mechanism; and a reader having a second position (II) in which the reader is driven by the movement used by the hook mechanism for the hook movement such that it is brought from the first position (I) so as to move by rotating around the connection element, and a first position (I) into which the reader is brought from the second position (II) by rotating around the connection element.

In an embodiment of the invention, the load carrying system comprises at least one opening which is located on the release mechanism and allows the reader to detect the first tag when the hook is in the closed position (K).

In an embodiment of the invention, in the load carrying system, the opening may be partially conjugated with the housing or may be independent from the housing. By means of the opening, the reader will face the first tag to detect the first tag.

In an embodiment of the invention, in the load carrying system, if a weight is carried, the first tag on the weight is detected through the opening and the data which has been read is transmitted to the control unit. In case that a weight is released, the cover closes the opening upon being driven by the hook mechanism, the reader reads the tag on the cover and transmits to the user of the air vehicle, via the control unit, the information indicating that the load is released. If the hook fails to open, seizes or opens in a delayed manner, the cover cannot close the opening or delays the closing process. It informs the user that the ammunition could not be released or was delayed.

In an embodiment of the invention, the load carrying system comprises a cover located on the release mechanism, actuated by the hook mechanism and/or an actuator, and allowing the reader to read the first tag and/or the second tag in the first position (I) when the hook is in the closed position (K), and in the second position (II) when the hook is in the opened position (A).

The load carrying system realized to achieve the object of the present invention is illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a (partial) front schematic view of a load carrying system in the closed position (K).

Figure 2 is a (partial) front schematic view of a Load Carrying System in the opened position (A).

Figure 3 is a (partial) schematic view of a first position (I) of a Load Carrying System.

Figure 4 is a (partial) schematic view of a second position (II) of a Load Carrying System.

Figure 5 is a (partial) schematic view of a Load Carrying System.

Figure 6 is a (partial) schematic view of a Load Carrying System.

All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below:

1. Load Carrying System

2. Body

3. Weight

4. Release Mechanism

5. Housing

6. Hook

7. Ring

8. First tag

9. Control Unit

10. Hook Mechanism

11. Reader

12. Second tag

13. Connection Element

14. Opening 15. Actuator

16. Cover

(K). Closed position (A). Opened position

(I). First position

(II). Second position

The load carrying system (1) comprises a body (2) which is located in air vehicles; a release mechanism (4) which is located on the body (2) and on which at least one weight (3) is connected, wherein the release mechanism (4) allows the weight (3), which is connected to the release mechanism (4), to be thrown and/or released; at least one housing (5) located on the release mechanism (4); at least one hook (6) which is located in the housing (5) and enables the weight (3) to be attached to the release mechanism (4); at least one ring (7) which is located on the weight (3), extends outwardly from the weight

(3) and is held by the hook (6) when the weight (3) is connected to the release mechanism

(4); at least a first tag (8) with a mark and/or sign indicating the type and/or characteristics of the weight (3) on which it is placed; at least one control unit (9) which controls operation of the release mechanism (4) located on the body (2); a hook (6) which has a closed position (K) allowing the weight (3) to be carried and an opened position (A) allowing the weight (3) to be released based on the data received from the control unit (9), wherein the hook (6) is rotated to be brought from the closed position (K) to the opened position (A); at least one hook mechanism (10) which is located on the release mechanism (4) and allows the hook (6) to be brought into the opened position (A) and/or the closed position (K); and a reader (11) which is capable of detecting the first tag (8) and transmits the data detected through the first tag (8) to the control unit (9) (Figure 1, Figure 2).

The load carrying system (1) according to the invention comprises at least a second tag (12) which is located on the release mechanism (4), and allows detecting whether the hook (6) is in the opened position (A) and/or the closed position (K) by means of the reader (11); and a reader (11) which detects the first tag (8) and/or the second tag (12), and transmits the detected data to the control unit (10) (Figure 3, Figure 4).

A weight (3) is thrown from the release mechanism (4) by means of the control unit (9). The ring (7) located on the weight (3) allows the weight (3) to be carried in the air vehicle by being held by the hook (6). The control unit (9) drives the hook mechanism (10) and the hook mechanism (10) allows the hook (6) to move between the opened position (A) and the closed position (K). By means of the housing (5) which is an opening located on the release mechanism (4), the hook (6) holds the ring (7) to allow the weight (3) to be carried and releases the ring (7) to allow the weight (3) to be released. The first tag (8) located on the weight (3) and having a mark and/or a sign about type of the weight (3) comprises preferably an optic reader (11) capable of detecting the first tag (8) and transmitting the detected data to the control unit (9) (Figure 1).

Position of the hook (6) is determined by detecting and/or not detecting the second tag (12) by the reader (11), wherein the second tag (12) is capable of giving information about opened position (A) and/or closed position (K) of the hook (6) and preferably has a mark or sign thereon. The load carrying system (1) comprises a reader (11) which transmits the type of the weight (3) to the control unit by detecting the first tag (8) on the weight (3), and detects the second tag (12) to transmit the position of the hook (6) to the control unit (9), thus, both checking whether the hook (6) is opened or not, and detecting the type and/or characteristics of the weight (3).

In an embodiment of the invention, the load carrying system (1) comprises a second tag (12) which is located on the hook (6) and/or the hook mechanism (10). By means of the second tag (12) which is detected by the reader (11) and allows position control of the hook (6) by being located on the hook (6) and/or the hook mechanism (10), the position of the hook (6) is determined and transmitted to the user of the air vehicle through the control unit (9).

In an embodiment of the invention, the load carrying system (1) comprises a reader (11) which detects the first tag (8) when the hook (6) is in the closed position (K) and detects the second tag (12) when the hook (6) is in the opened position (A). The load carrying system (1) comprises a reader (11) which detects the first tag (8) if the weight (3) is carried in the air vehicle, and reads the second tag (12) if the weight (3) is released. The load carrying system (1) comprises a reader (11) which preferably detects the second tag (12) if the weight (3) is carried in the air vehicle, and reads the first tag (8) if the weight (3) is released. Therefore, a load carrying system (1) is obtained that effectively controls whether the hook (6) and/or the hooks function/s or not. In an embodiment of the invention, the load carrying system (1) comprises a reader (11) which has a first position (I) in which it faces the first tag (8), and a second position (II) in which it faces the second tag (12). The load carrying system (1) comprises a reader which is in the first position (I) when the hook (6) is in the closed position (K) and in the second position (II) when the hook (6) is in the opened position (A) or which is preferably in the first position (I) when the hook (6) is in the opened position (A) and in the second position (II) when the hook (6) is in the closed position (K). Thus, a reliable load carrying system (1) is obtained, which enables the weight (3) to be effectively attached to the load carrying system (1) and effectively released from the load carrying system (1).

In an embodiment of the invention, the load carrying system (1) comprises at least one connection element (13) which is located on the release mechanism (4) and allows the reader (11) to be connected to the release mechanism (4); and a reader (11) having a second position (II) into which the reader (11) is brought from the first position (I) by being driven by the hook mechanism (10) so as to rotate around the connection element (13), and a first position (I) in which the reader (11) is brought from the second position (II) by making a reverse rotational movement around the connection element (13). Following a command of the air vehicle user to release the weight (3), the control unit (9) activates the hook mechanism (10). The hook mechanism (10) moves the hooks (6) and releases the ring (7) to allow the weight (3) to be released. The load carrying system (1) comprises a reader which receives support from the movement of the hook mechanism (10) and rotates around the connection element (13) through which it is connected to the release mechanism (4), wherein the reader (11) can move from the first position (I) to the second position (II) and/or from the second position (II) to the first position (I) by means of said movement (Figure 3, Figure 4).

In an embodiment of the invention, the load carrying system (1) comprises at least one opening (14) which is located on the release mechanism (4), and a reader (11) which faces the first tag (8) by means of the opening (14) when the hook (6) is in the closed position (K). The load carrying system (1) comprises an opening (14) which is located on the release mechanism (4) and is partially closed by the movement of the hook (6). The load carrying system (1) comprises a reader (11) which is in the first position (I) by means of the opening (14) when the hook (6) is in the opened position (A), and is in the second position (II) by means of the second tag (12) on the hook (6) when the hook (6) is in the closed position (K) (Figure 3).

In an embodiment of the invention, the load carrying system (1) comprises an opening (14) which is conjugated with the housing (5). The load carrying system (1) comprises an opening (14) which is partially conjugated with the housing (5) located on the release mechanism (4). The reader (11) in the fixed position detects the first tag (8) on the weight (3) through the opening and transfers the type of the weight (3) to the control unit (9). If the weight (3) is being carried, it detects the second tag (12) on the hook (6) that is in the field of view of the reader (11), and informs the control unit (9) that the hook (6) is in the closed position (K). Upon a command by the air vehicle user to release the weight (3), the control unit (9) commands the hook (6) or hooks (6) to open. If the hook (6) is not opened, the reader (11) continues to read the second tag (12) on the hook (6) and transmits it to the control unit (9). The control unit (9) comparing the data of the first tag (8) and/or the second tag (12) transmits to the user of the air vehicle the information that the hook (6) couldn’t be opened and the weight (3) couldn’t be released (Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4).

In an embodiment of the invention, the load carrying system (1) comprises at least one cover (15) which is located on the release mechanism (4) and moves to close the opening (14). The load carrying system (1) comprises a cover (15) which can close or open the opening (14) with the drive received from the hook mechanism (10). The cover (15) can move around an axis along which it is connected to the release mechanism (4) and/or move on the release mechanism (4) (Figure 1, Figure 2).

In an embodiment of the invention, the load carrying system (1) comprises a cover (15) located on the release mechanism (4), driven by the hook mechanism (10), and allowing the reader (11) to be in the first position (I) when the hook (6) is in the closed position (K), and to be in the second position (II) when the hook (6) is in the opened position (A). (Figure 1, Figure 2).