Shooting target launcher

Abstract

A shooting target launcher, associated components and methods. The launcher spins one or more helicopter-like shooting targets to launch the targets. A target connector receives the targets. The target connector is rotated about an axis of rotation to rotate the targets about the axis of rotation. The targets have fan blades that, when rotated, propel the target through the air.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shooting target launcher for launching a shooting target, the shooting target launcher comprising:
 a housing;   a motor supported by the housing;   a target connector configured to receive the shooting target, the target connector being configured to be rotated by the motor about an axis of rotation to rotate the shooting target about the axis of rotation; and   a launch control system configured for sensorless motor control of the motor to launch the shooting target from the target connector after the target connector and the shooting target reach a desired rotational launch speed.   
     
     
         2 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the launch control system is configured for sensorless motor control by monitoring electrical motor data of the motor. 
     
     
         3 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 2 , wherein the electrical motor data includes current and/or voltage data. 
     
     
         4 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 2 , wherein the electrical motor data includes back-electromotive force data. 
     
     
         5 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the launch control system is configured to determine the rotational speed of the target connector and the shooting target, the launch control system being configured to launch the shooting target from the target connector after the rotational speed of the target connector and the shooting target is equal to or exceeds the desired rotational launch speed. 
     
     
         6 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 5 , wherein the launch control system includes a launch speed control configured to change the desired rotational launch speed. 
     
     
         7 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 5 , wherein the launch control system is configured to launch the shooting target from the target connector once the rotational speed of the target connector and the shooting target is equal to or exceeds the desired rotational launch speed. 
     
     
         8 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 5 , wherein the launch control system includes a manually operable trigger, the launch control system being configured to launch the shooting target from the target connector after the rotational speed of the target connector and the shooting target is equal to or exceeds the desired rotational launch speed and the trigger is actuated by an operator. 
     
     
         9 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 8 , wherein the launch control system is configured to operate the motor to rotate the target connector and the shooting target in response to the trigger being pulled, the launch control system being configured to launch the shooting target from the target connector in response to the trigger being released. 
     
     
         10 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the launch control system is configured to operate the motor based on an acceleration profile. 
     
     
         11 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 10 , wherein the acceleration profile comprises a variable acceleration profile. 
     
     
         12 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 11 , wherein the variable acceleration profile increases acceleration of the motor over time. 
     
     
         13 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 10 , wherein the launch control system is configured to estimate the rotational speed of the target connector and the shooting target based on the acceleration profile, the launch control system being configured to launch the shooting target from the target connector after the estimated rotational speed of the target connector and the shooting target is equal to or exceeds the desired rotational launch speed. 
     
     
         14 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the launch control system is configured to launch the shooting target from the target connector by decelerating the target connector. 
     
     
         15 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 14 , wherein the launch control system is configured to decelerate the target connector by turning off the motor. 
     
     
         16 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 14 , wherein the launch control system is configured to decelerate the target connector by electrically braking the motor. 
     
     
         17 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 16 , wherein the launch control system is configured to electrically brake the motor by locking one or more phases of the electrical motor. 
     
     
         18 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the launch control system being free of a rotational speed sensor for detecting a rotational speed of the target connector, the shooting target, and/or a shaft of the motor. 
     
     
         19 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the launch control system being free of a rotational speed sensor for detecting a rotational speed of the shooting target and any component of the shooting target launcher.