US 12,168,528 B2
Vehicle launch system and method
Miles R. Palmer, Durham, NC (US)
Assigned to 8 Rivers Capital, LLC, Durham, NC (US)
Filed by 8 Rivers Capital, LLC, Durham, NC (US)
Filed on Apr. 27, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/140,122.
Application 18/140,122 is a division of application No. 15/840,769, filed on Dec. 13, 2017, granted, now 11,667,405.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/433,558, filed on Dec. 13, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0264836 A1, Aug. 24, 2023
Int. Cl. B64G 1/00 (2006.01); B64F 1/02 (2006.01); B64F 1/04 (2006.01); B64G 5/00 (2006.01); F41A 1/02 (2006.01); F41B 11/62 (2013.01); F41B 11/68 (2013.01); F41B 11/723 (2013.01); F42B 12/02 (2006.01)
CPC B64G 1/002 (2013.01) [B64F 1/025 (2013.01); B64F 1/04 (2013.01); B64G 5/00 (2013.01); F41A 1/02 (2013.01); F41B 11/62 (2013.01); F41B 11/68 (2013.01); F41B 11/723 (2013.01); F42B 12/02 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A soft catch system comprising:
a flight tube configured for longitudinal movement therethrough of a vehicle; and
at least one component present within the flight tube and configured to decelerate the vehicle, the at least one component comprising an ablative material configured to interact with a gas bearing band present on at least a portion of the vehicle,
wherein the ablative material is positioned within at least one trough formed along a length of the flight tube.