An inflatable deformable wing

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of aircraft, in particular to a kind of inflatable deformable wing.It includes inner wing, outer wing and air pressure delivery component, outer wing is arranged in the two sides of inner wing, outer wing includes multiple ribs, skin and telescopic structure, multiple ribs are arranged side by side along the direction of wingspan, skin is attached rib along the direction of wingspan, and multiple deformation zones are formed with rib;Telescopic structure includes telescopic rod, elastic component, each telescopic rod is correspondingly provided with a rib, and elastic component is arranged in telescopic rod and is connected with the front end and the last end of telescopic rod;Air pressure delivery component is connected with inner wing, for input or extraction gas to deformation zone, so that outer wing has unfolded state and contraction state.The design realizes wing unfolding and contraction by inflation technology, so that aircraft can freely adjust wing state in different flight stages, thereby optimizing its performance and adapting to different flight tasks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aircraft technology, specifically to an inflatable deformable wing. Background Technology

[0002] Low- and medium-speed civil aircraft refer to aircraft that operate within a relatively low speed range, such as sport aircraft, gliders, and some light aircraft. They are widely used in recreational, sports, training, and light air transportation, providing opportunities for aviation enthusiasts, clubs, and private aircraft owners, while also serving as training platforms for student pilots.

[0003] However, traditional fixed-wing designs have several limitations. Fixed wings cannot be adjusted to meet the demands of different flight phases, resulting in less lift generated during low-speed takeoff and landing, requiring longer takeoff and landing distances and lower takeoff speeds. During high-speed cruise, excessively large wings increase drag and reduce flight efficiency. This design is ill-suited to the needs of different flight phases, leading to energy waste. Takeoff and landing require overcoming significant drag and gravity, consuming large amounts of fuel. During cruise, the larger wing area increases drag, requiring more power to maintain speed. Furthermore, fixed-wing designs limit the aircraft's space utilization; the larger wings in their deployed state occupy more space, increasing the fuselage size and restricting flexibility for ground operations and parking.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to make improvements to address the aforementioned issues. Summary of the Invention

[0005] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0006] This invention addresses the above-mentioned problems by proposing an inflatable deformable wing, which aims to solve the technical problem that traditional wings cannot meet the needs of different flight stages.

[0007] (II) Technical Solution

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an inflatable deformable wing, comprising an inner wing, an outer wing, and a pneumatic pressure delivery component. The outer wing is disposed on both sides of the inner wing. The outer wing includes multiple ribs, a skin, and a telescopic structure. The multiple ribs are arranged side by side outward along the wingspan direction. The skin is attached to each rib along the wingspan direction, forming multiple deformable zones with the ribs. The telescopic structure includes a telescopic rod and an elastic component. Each section of the telescopic rod has a corresponding rib. The elastic component is disposed inside the telescopic rod and connected to both ends of the telescopic rod. The pneumatic pressure delivery component is connected to the inner wing and is used to input or extract gas into the deformable zones, enabling the outer wing to have an deployed state and a retracted state.

[0009] Furthermore, the skin is made of fibrous material.

[0010] Furthermore, the fiber material is polyester elastic fiber.

[0011] Furthermore, the elastic component is an elastic rope or a spring.

[0012] Furthermore, the rib has an airfoil structure corresponding to the airfoil shape.

[0013] Furthermore, the joint between the rib and the telescopic rod is attached to the outer wall of each telescopic rod section by riveting.

[0014] Furthermore, the ribs have air inlets extending along the plate surface, which connect adjacent deformation zones to each other.

[0015] Furthermore, the pneumatic delivery component includes an air pump, a delivery pipe, and a valve, wherein the air pump is connected to the delivery pipe, the delivery pipe is equipped with a valve for controlling the opening of the pipe, and the delivery pipe extends along the wingspan direction to the inflation port.

[0016] Furthermore, the inner wing is covered with a rigid material.

[0017] Furthermore, a pressure sensor is provided in the deformation zone, and the pressure sensor is connected to the valve and the air pump.

[0018] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0019] Compared with existing technologies, this invention provides an inflatable deformable wing with the ability to expand and contract on the outer side. The wing can freely adjust its state according to different flight stages, thereby optimizing aircraft performance. In the expanded state, it increases lift, which is beneficial for takeoff and landing, reducing takeoff and landing distances and energy consumption; in the contracted state, it reduces drag, making it suitable for high-speed flight. Compared with traditional wing deformable structures, using inflation and deflation to achieve wing deformation reduces weight because the inflatable deformation zone and telescopic rods are relatively light, and the wing ribs mainly serve to regulate wing folds and do not bear loads, thus being lighter than conventional aircraft wing ribs. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an inflatable deformable wing disclosed in this application.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the outboard wing in its deployed state as disclosed in this application.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the retracted state of an outer wing disclosed in this application.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a pneumatic conveying component disclosed in this application.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a partial structural diagram of the deployed state of an outer wing disclosed in this application.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a rib disclosed in this application.

[0026] The reference numerals shown in the figure:

[0027] 10. Inner wing; 20. Outer wing; 30. Pneumatic transmission components;

[0028] 201. Rib; 202. Skin; 203. Telescopic structure; 204. Deformation zone; 205. Attachment zone; 2010. Inflation port; 2030. Telescopic rod; 2031. Elastic component;

[0029] 301. Air pump; 302. Delivery pipeline; 303. Valve. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0031] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0032] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0033] This invention proposes an inflatable deformable wing, which is described below in conjunction with... Figures 1-6 The present invention will be further described in conjunction with the embodiments.

[0034] See Figure 1 This invention proposes an inflatable deformable wing, comprising three inflatable wing segments and a pneumatic pressure delivery component 30. The three inflatable wing segments include a central inner wing 10 and two outer wings 20. Each segment can be independently controlled to adjust the wing's shape and performance at different flight stages. By controlling each wing segment, the wing's shape and performance can be adjusted at different flight stages to meet specific needs. For example, during takeoff and landing, increasing the wing area and lift can provide better payload capacity and landing performance. During cruise, reducing the wing area and drag can improve speed and fuel efficiency. The pneumatic pressure delivery component 30 delivers gas to each wing segment. By controlling the magnitude and distribution of the air pressure, the wing can be inflated and deflated, thereby changing its shape and curvature.

[0035] like Figures 2-5 The outer wing 20 includes multiple ribs 201, skin 202, and telescopic structure 203. The multiple ribs 201 are along the wingspan direction (e.g., Figure 2 The arrows (in the direction of F) are arranged side by side outwards to provide basic support for the wing. The skin 202 is attached to the outer surface of each rib 201 along the wingspan direction, forming multiple deformation zones 204 with the ribs 201. The connection method of the skin 202 allows for necessary deformation when gas is input or extracted. The deformation zone 204 refers to the area between the skin 202 and the rib 201, which can change shape when gas is input or extracted. This deformation is achieved by the gas pressure delivery component 30 inputting or extracting gas into the deformation zone 204. When gas is input into the deformation zone 204, the air pressure in the deformation zone 204 increases, causing the skin 202 to expand, thereby changing the shape of the wing. This expansion can be a linear expansion along the wingspan direction or a nonlinear deformation at a specific position or direction. Conversely, when gas is extracted from the deformation zone 204, the air pressure in the deformation zone 204 decreases, causing the skin 202 to contract, and the wing returns to its original shape or enters another preset state.

[0036] like Figure 4 , Figure 5As shown, the telescopic structure 203 includes a telescopic rod 2030 and an elastic component 2031. Each section of the telescopic rod 2030 is provided with a corresponding rib 201. The elastic component 2031 is disposed inside the telescopic rod 2030 and connected to the front and rear ends of the telescopic rod 2030. Through stretching or compression, it provides elastic support and energy storage function for the telescopic rod 2030, controlling the deployment and retraction of the outer wing 20. By adjusting these parts, the outer wing 20 can switch between the deployed and retracted states. The pneumatic conveying component 30 is connected to the inner wing 10 and is used to input or extract gas into the deformation zone 204, so that the outer wing 20 has both deployed and retracted states, thereby realizing the deformation of the wing.

[0037] In the above embodiment, by controlling the input and extraction of gas in the pneumatic delivery component 30, the two outer wings 20 of the wing can switch between deployed and retracted states. The deployed state provides greater lift, suitable for low-speed flight; the retracted state reduces lift and drag, suitable for high-speed flight. The inflatable design not only reduces the overall weight but also increases the flexibility of the structure, which helps to improve the aircraft's fuel efficiency and maneuverability.

[0038] In the telescopic structure of the inflatable deformable wing in this embodiment, the elastic component 2031 can preferably be an elastic rope or a spring. Placing the elastic rope or spring inside the telescopic rod 2030 can effectively utilize space, making the entire telescopic structure 203 more compact, reducing the volume and weight of the wing, and thus improving the performance and efficiency of the aircraft. Furthermore, since the elastic rope or spring has certain elastic characteristics, it can be adjusted and balanced according to actual needs. By selecting appropriate elastic coefficients and materials, the stretching and contraction forces of the telescopic rod 2030 can be controlled to achieve precise control and stability of the wing state. In addition, the elastic rope or spring can play a role in vibration damping and impact absorption during the extension and contraction process. They can absorb external impact or vibration energy, reduce the impact and damage to the wing and other structures, and improve the reliability and durability of the system.

[0039] Skin 202 provides an aerodynamic surface exposed to airflow during flight. Using fibrous materials to construct Skin 202 provides high strength and stiffness while maintaining a lightweight design. Fiber materials such as polyester elastic fibers, carbon fibers, or glass fibers have excellent tensile strength and durability, making them suitable for the external covering of aircraft. The wing ribs 201 and wing skin 202 are bonded together at the attachment area 205 using appropriate adhesives, providing a more uniform stress distribution and reducing the weight of the connection. Connections can also be achieved through riveting or other methods.

[0040] In low- and medium-speed civil aircraft, wing ribs 201 play a crucial role in supporting and maintaining the airfoil shape. Wing ribs 201 refer to the frame structures located on the wing, which typically correspond to the airfoil shape to ensure that the aircraft has good aerodynamic performance and stability under various flight conditions.

[0041] In this embodiment, the outer wing 20 is attached to the outer wall of each telescopic rod 2030 by riveting at the joint point between the wing rib 201 and the telescopic rod 2030, and is tightly connected to the telescopic rod 2030 to ensure that the outer wing 20 remains stable during deformation and to help distribute the load.

[0042] like Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, an inflation port 2010 is provided along the surface of the wing rib 201. This inflation port 2010 is located between adjacent deformation zones 204, allowing these deformation zones 204 to communicate with each other through the inflation system. When the system needs to inflate the wing, gas or compressed air is injected into the deformation zones 204 through the inflation port 2010. Because the inflation port 2010 is through the surface of the wing rib 201, gas can flow to adjacent deformation zones 204, keeping the entire wing in a uniform inflation state. This helps achieve a uniform expansion effect and ensures that the wing has consistent air pressure and shape when deployed. Similarly, when the wing needs to be deflated for contraction, gas is extracted from the deformation zones 204 through the inflation port 2010. Again, using the inflation port that is through the surface, gas can flow from one deformation zone 204 to another, achieving a coordinated effect during wing contraction.

[0043] The pneumatic delivery component 30 includes an air pump 301, a delivery pipe 302, and a valve 303. In this design, the air pump 301 is connected to the delivery pipe 302, and it delivers gas to the inflation ports 2010 of the wing ribs 201 by providing gas pressure. The delivery pipe 302 extends along the wing's deployment direction and can ensure gas connectivity by connecting only to the first inflation port 2010 or by connecting multiple deformable regions. Thus, when the air pump provides airflow, the gas can smoothly reach each inflation port along the pipe. The valve is used to regulate the gas flow rate and control the gas pressure distribution. By appropriately adjusting the valve opening, precise control of the gas supply to the outer wings on both sides can be achieved.

[0044] In this embodiment, the inner wing 10 is covered with a rigid material and does not expand or contract significantly. The outer wing 20 is not covered with an external rigid material.

[0045] The deformation zone 204 is a specific area on the wing responsible for expansion and contraction. In a preferred embodiment, pressure sensors are installed in the deformation zone 204. By connecting to the valve 303 and the air pump 301, they can ensure that the gas pressure is maintained within the design requirements range during the expansion and contraction of the wing by controlling the opening of the valve 303 and the output pressure of the air pump 301, which helps to achieve precise adjustment and control of the wing shape.

[0046] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An inflatable deformable wing, characterized in that, It includes an inner wing, an outer wing, and a pneumatic transmission component. The outer wing is disposed on both sides of the inner wing. The outer wing includes multiple ribs, skin, and telescopic structure. The multiple ribs are arranged side by side outward along the wingspan direction. The skin is attached to each rib along the wingspan direction, forming multiple deformation zones with the ribs. The telescopic structure includes a telescopic rod and an elastic component. Each section of the telescopic rod is provided with a corresponding rib. The elastic component is located inside the telescopic rod and connected to the front and rear ends of the telescopic rod. The inner wing is covered with a rigid material. The pneumatic conveying component is connected to the inner wing and is used to input or extract gas into the deformation zone, so that the outer wing has an extended state and a retracted state. The pneumatic conveying component plays the role of transmitting gas to each wing section. By controlling the magnitude and distribution of the air pressure, the wing can be inflated and deflated, thereby changing the shape and curvature of the wing. The wing ribs have air inlets extending through the plate surface, which connect adjacent deformation zones to each other; the pneumatic conveying component includes an air pump, a conveying pipe, and a valve, wherein the air pump is connected to the conveying pipe, the conveying pipe is equipped with a valve to control the pipe opening, and the conveying pipe extends along the wingspan direction to the air inlet; the deformation zone is equipped with a pressure sensor, which is connected to the valve and the air pump.

2. The inflatable deformable wing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The skin is made of fibrous material.

3. The inflatable deformable wing according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fiber material is polyester elastic fiber.

4. The inflatable deformable wing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic component is an elastic rope or a spring.

5. The inflatable deformable wing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ribs have airfoil structures that correspond to the shape of the airfoil.

6. The inflatable deformable wing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ribs are attached to the outer wall of each telescopic rod section by riveting at the joint points where they meet the telescopic rod.

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