Rotating air cargo delivery system and method of construction

Abstract

A system and method of constructing a system for delivering cargo by airdrop are provided. In short, the system uses rotor blades to slow the descent of cargo dropped from an aircraft. In one example of one embodiment, a frame is secured to a cargo pallet and at least one rotor blade is secured to the frame. The rotor blade is secured to the frame in a position such that it causes the cargo pallet and the frame to rotate in air when dropped from an elevation. In another embodiment, the rotor blade may be extendable and extend during flight.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to systems for delivering cargo by airdrop and methods of constructing such systems.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Conventional systems for delivering cargo by airdrop mostly include the use of a parachute. Parachute systems and even guided parachute systems, however often may not operate effectively in high wind conditions, leading to inaccurate drops. In military applications, missing the drop zone can result in placing the cargo into enemy hands or out of reach of the intended users. In addition, large cargo parachute silhouettes can be spotted easily during descent and after touch-down, thereby leading the enemy to the drop zone. Parachute based systems also have slow rates of descent and must be delivered at airspeeds which expose the delivery aircraft to enemy detection. Further, current individual parachute based systems have a weight restrictions of less than 3,500 pounds per cargo parachute. Payload weigh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]A system is provided for delivering cargo by airdrop. A frame is secured to a cargo pallet and at least one rotor blade is secured to the frame. The rotor blade has a leading edge an a trailing edge and is secured to the frame in a position such that the rotor blade causes the cargo pallet and the frame to rotate in air when dropped from an elevation. A method of constructing the system is also provided.

[0004]In some embodiments, the rotor blade may be retractable, extendable or both retractable and extendable. The rotor blade may include a spar positioned at the leading edge and a skin positioned to cover the spar. The skin may form a shape of an airfoil. T

Problems solved by technology

Parachute systems and even guided parachute systems, however often may not operate effectively in high wind conditions, leading to inaccurate drops.

In military applications, missing the drop zone can result in placing the cargo into enemy hands or out of reach of the intended users.

Parachute based systems also have slow rates of descent and must be delivered at airspeeds which expose the delivery aircraft to enemy detection.

The combination of parachutes and auxiliary equipment (deployment lines, suspension slings, shock absorption materials, etc) coupled to the airdrop platform, make existing aerial delivery methods expensive and logistically time consuming.

Other conventional non-parachute based systems have been developed but are prone to certain shortcomings and have therefore not been widely used.

Images