A payload carrying system
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TUSAS TURK HAVACILIK VE UZAY SANAYII ANONIM SIRKETI
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing payload carrying systems in aircraft, such as helicopters and planes, face issues with payload oscillation and entanglement, which can lead to irreversible losses and disrupt flight balance, especially during emergency situations or when dealing with environmental factors like wind and speed.
A payload carrying system that includes a body on the aircraft with a rope and sensor system to monitor payload position and acceleration, using actuators and balance pieces to adjust the payload's position to maintain balance and stability, preventing oscillation and potential collisions with the aircraft or ground objects.
Ensures reliable flight operations by maintaining payload balance and preventing collisions, even in emergency situations, by dynamically adjusting the payload's position using sensors and actuators, thereby ensuring safe flight conditions.
Smart Images
Figure TR2024050722_09012025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] A PAYLOAD CARRYING SYSTEM
[0002] This invention relates to a payload carrying system that enables the balanced transportation of payloads in aircraft.
[0003] By means of the load carrying system in helicopters, the loads attached to the hook of the system can be carried from one place to another by airways. In aircraft such as helicopters, planes and unmanned aerial vehicles, payloads such as stretchers and fire extinguishing equipment are carried by means of rope-shaped carrying elements. When forest fires are to be intervened from the air, a fire extinguishing basket can be connected to the hook part of the system and the fire can be intervened from the air. In light loads, loads that allow oscillation, or when the rope is empty, depending on the environmental conditions and the speed of the helicopter, situations such as the rope getting entangled or hitting the propeller in the tail area may be encountered. For example, when the helicopter responds to a fire and moves to refill the fire extinguishing basket, depending on the wind in the environment, the pressure created by the fire and the speed of the helicopter, the fire extinguishing basket may hit the tail propeller and irreversible losses may occur.
[0004] In the People's Republic of China patent document numbered CN1 10203400 in the state of the art, a multi-person helicopter rope lowering device is mentioned. The system that is the subject of the invention consists of a base, a support fixed to the base, a disc on the upper part of the support, a counterweight on the support, and many claw poles connected to the base. The helicopter multi-person rope lowering device has an umbrella-shaped carrying structure that can be opened and closed.
[0005] In the German patent document numbered DE2559227A1 in the state of the art, it is mentioned that a low rope used to pull an aircraft or another flying object is wound and unwound on a drum. In the relevant document it is mentioned that the tow rope has one or more braking components with braking surfaces that are in permanent frictional contact with the drum.
[0006] By means of a payload carrying system developed with the present invention, the payload remains balanced during aircraft flight and a reliable flight operation is achieved.
[0007] Another aim of the present invention is to create weight on the payload carried in the aircraft in case of emergency and to ensure that the aircraft remains at a level capable of flight operations. The payload carrying system defined in the first claim and the claims dependent on this claim, which is realised to achieve the aim of the invention, comprises a body located on the aircraft. There is at least one rope that is suspended from the body and is exposed to air flow during aircraft flight. The payload, preferably a water collection basket, suspended from the aircraft has a first position. During the aircraft flight, the payload oscillates and has a second position different from the first position, which forces the flight. The payload may disrupt the flight balance of the aircraft, hit an airborne debris or an object on the ground, making flight difficult.
[0008] The payload carrying system of the invention comprises at least one payload at the end of a cord and / or rope suspended from the body on the aircraft that is a helicopter and / or airplane. The payload is located in locations where it will negatively affect the flight operation of the aircraft due to the manoeuvres of the aircraft during the aircraft flight. The sensor located on the body and / or rope transmits the position and acceleration information of the payload's movement on the aircraft to the control unit. If the information evaluated by the control unit will affect the flight operation of the aircraft, it checks the sensor information and places the payload in a position that does not pose a danger to the flight of the aircraft. The payload is placed in a position where the aircraft will ensure a safe flight and where it will not hit the aircraft or any object on the ground.
[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises at least one balance piece on the body, which is released by the control unit and / or the pilot and falls freely by means of the gravity. The balance piece is a rescue device that evaluates the information the control unit receives from the sensor data and triggers the actuator, and is activated only if the actuator fails. The balance piece can additionally be released by the pilot in case sensor data cannot be obtained. The balance piece is released in emergency situations and moves towards the payload via the rope.
[0010] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises a balance piece in a third position close to the body before the aircraft flight. The balance piece is released during the aircraft flight and is placed in the fourth position, close to the payload. The balance piece moves from the third position to the fourth position, ensuring that the payload is balanced during the aircraft flight.
[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises a release arm that releases the balance piece upon the command received by the control unit of the balance piece. The release arm moves by rotating around the point where it is supported on the body. In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises at least one roller that is triggered by the actuator and moves the payload to the second position by wrapping the rope, thus ensuring that the payload remains stable.
[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises a roller that winds the rope and moves the payload closer to the body from the first position to the second position. The roller collects the rope by winding the rope around it like a roll.
[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises at least one stopper that stops the movement of the balance piece by fixing it at a place determined by the user on the rope. The stopper is positioned so that the distance between it and the payload is shorter than the distance between it and the body, and is in a structure that almost completely surrounds the rope so that it is fixed on the rope, and thus, it stops the movement of the balance piece towards the payload.
[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises the payload, which is brought closer to the body by the pilot and / or the control unit and moved to the second position, closer to the body than the first position.
[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises an electrical actuator that allows the payload to be pulled up or released down by the roller.
[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises a hook that is located outside the body and holds the rope passing through the roller.
[0017] The payload carrying system implemented to achieve the aim of this invention is shown in the attached figures, and of these figures;
[0018] Figure 1 - is the side view of a payload carrying system.
[0019] Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a payload carrying system.
[0020] Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the balance piece, sensor and release arm.
[0021] Figure 4 - is the perspective view of the body, roller and rope.
[0022] The parts in the figures are numbered one by one and the equivalents of these numbers are given below.
[0023] 1 . Payload carrying system
[0024] 2. Body
[0025] 3. Rope 4. Payload
[0026] 5. Actuator
[0027] 6. Sensor
[0028] 7. Control unit
[0029] 8. Balance piece
[0030] 9. Release arm
[0031] 10. Roller
[0032] 1 1 . Stopper
[0033] It comprises a body (2) located on the aircraft, rope (3) hanging outwards from the body (2), at least one payload (4) suspended over the body (2) via rope (3), a first position (I) where the payload (4) is suspended over the body (2) by the pilot and / or operator having a distance between it and the body (2), at least one actuator (5) that is located on the body and is rotatable around the axis along which it extends, and a second position (II) different from the first position (I) to which the payload (4) is brought by being triggered the actuator (5).
[0034] It comprises at least one sensor (6) that is located on the body (2) and / or rope (3) and collects data, at least one control unit (7) that obtains position, acceleration and / or motion information by processing the data received from the sensor (6) and thereby moves the payload (4) from the first position to the second position (II) and thus ensures that the payload (4) is balanced in the second position (II).
[0035] Various payloads (4) can be carried at the end of the rope suspended from the aircraft. The payload (4) suspended from the body (2) on the aircraft has the first position (I). Due to the movements of the aircraft, it reaches a second position (II) that is different from the first position (I). The actuator (5), which is located on the body (2) and can rotate around the axis along which it extends, enables the payload (4) to be suspended or pulled up.
[0036] There is at least one sensor (6) on the body (2) and / or on the rope, which calculates the angle and acceleration of the payload with the body (2). The sensor (6) transmits this data to the control unit (7). Commands for the situation that negatively affects flight performance are generated by the control unit (7) and the payload (4) is brought to the second position (II) where it will be in balance.
[0037] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises at least one balance piece (8) that is located on the body (2) and released by the control unit (7) and / or the pilot in free fall, and moves on the rope (3) and ensures that the payload (4) is balanced in the second position (II). The balance part (8) performs a free fall movement towards the payload (4) under the effect of gravity. By creating weight on the payload (4), it almost completely reduces the swinging of the oscillating payload (4) and ensures that it remains within balance limits.
[0038] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises a third position (III) where the balance piece (8) is located so that the distance between it and the body (2) is shorter than the distance between it and the payload (4), a fourth position (IV), in which the balance piece is left in free fall by the control unit (7) and / or the pilot from the third position (III) and where the distance between it and the payload (4) is shorter than the distance between it and the body (2), and the balance piece (8) that moves from the third position (III) to the fourth position (IV) and ensures that the payload (4) is balanced during the aircraft flight. The balance piece (8) negatively affects the flight performance of the aircraft during the flight, by means of its location in the third position (III), where it is placed close to the body (2) before the flight. With the command given by the control unit (7) and / or the pilot, the balance piece (8) slides or free falls to a fourth position (IV) that is closer to the payload (4) than the body (2), ensuring that the payload (4) remains in balance.
[0039] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises at least one release arm (9) that holds and / or releases the balance piece (8) and moves by rotating around the point where it is supported on the body (2). The release arm (9), which holds the balance piece (8) against in a mirror symmetrical manner and opens to the sides, enables the balance piece (8) to move in the direction of gravity.
[0040] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises at least one roller (10) that is triggered by the actuator (5) and moves the payload (4) to the second position (II) by winding the rope (3), thus ensuring that the payload (4) remains stable. The roller (10), with the drive it receives from the actuator (5), enables the rope (3) to be brought to the second position (II) that will be safe for flight.
[0041] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises at least one roller (10) located on the body (2), which moves the rope (3) from the first position to the second position (II) and / or enables the basket to approach the body (2). The roller (10) winds the rope
[0042] (3) and brings the payload (4) closer to the body (2), thus ensuring that the payload (4) oscillates less.
[0043] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises at least one stopper (11 ) that is positioned on the rope (3) so that the distance between it and the payload
[0044] (4) is shorter than the distance between it and the body (2), and almost completely surrounds the rope (3) so that it is fixed on the rope (3) and thus stops the movement of the balance piece (8). While the balance piece (8) moves from the third position (III) to the fourth position (IV), the stopper (1 1 ) ensures that it stops at a predetermined point close to the payload (4).
[0045] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises a payload (4) with a second position (II) whose oscillatory movement is restricted by the pilot and / or the control unit (7) by bringing it closer to the body and thus preventing the payload (4) from hitting the nose and / or tail of the aircraft. The payload (4) is brought to the second position (II) in order to prevent it from oscillating due to manoeuvres during the aircraft flight and hitting the nose and / or tail section of the aircraft.
[0046] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises the actuator (5) which has an electric motor that enables the payload (4) to be brought to the second position
[0047] (II) by the roller (10). An electric motor is used to bring the payload (4) to the second position
[0048] (11) and / or drive the roller (10).
[0049] In one embodiment of the invention, the payload carrying system comprises at least one hook
[0050] (12) that extends out from the body (2) and holds the rope (3) passing through the roller. The hook (12) enables the payload (4) to be carried by holding the rope (3).
Claims
CLAIMS1. A payload carrying system comprising a body (2) located on the aircraft, a rope (3) hanging outwards from the body (2), at least one payload (4) suspended over the body (2) via rope (3), a first position (I) where the payload (4) is suspended over the body (2) by the pilot and / or operator and there is a distance between it and the body (2), at least one actuator (5) located on the body (2) in a rotatable manner around the axis on which it extends, and a second position (II) different from the first position (I) to which the payload (4) is brought by being triggered by the actuator (5), characterised by comprising at least one sensor (6) located on the body (2) and / or on the rope (3) and collecting data, and at least one control unit (7) that obtains position, acceleration and / or motion information by processing the data received from the sensor (6) and moves the payload (4) from the first position to the second position (II) and thus ensures that the payload (4) is balanced in the second position (II).
2. A payload carrying system according to Claim 1 , comprising at least one balance piece (8) that is located on the body (2) and released by the control unit (7) and / or the pilot in free fall, and moves on the rope (3) and ensures that the payload (4) is balanced in the second position (II).
3. A payload carrying system according to Claim 2, comprising a third position (III) where the balance piece (8) is located so that the distance between it and the body (2) is shorter than the distance between it and the payload (4), a fourth position (IV), in which the balance piece is left in free fall by the control unit (7) and / or the pilot from the third position (III) and where the distance between it and the payload (4) is shorter than the distance between it and the body (2), and the balance piece (8) that moves from the third position (III) to the fourth position (IV) and ensures that the payload (4) is balanced during the aircraft flight.
4. A payload carrying system according to Claim 2 or 3, comprising at least one release arm (9) that holds and / or releases the balance piece (8) and rotates around the point where it is supported on the body (2).
5. A payload carrying system according to any of the previous Claims, comprising at least one roller (10), triggered by the actuator (5), winds the rope (3) and brings the payload (4) to the second position (II), thus ensuring that the payload (4) remains stable.
6. A payload carrying system according to any of the previous Claims, comprising at least one roller (10), located on the body (2) moves the rope (3) from the first position to the second position (II) and / or enables the basket to approach the body (2).
7. A payload carrying system according to Claim 4 to 6, comprising at least one stopper (11 ) that is positioned on the rope (3) so that the distance between it and the payload (4) is shorter than the distance between it and the body (2), and almost completely surrounds the rope (3) so that it is fixed on the rope (3) and thus stops the movement of the balance piece (8).
8. A payload carrying system according to any of the previous Claims, comprising Payload (4) with a second position (II) whose oscillatory movement is restricted by the pilot and / or the control unit (7) by bringing it closer to the body (2) and thus preventing the payload (4) from hitting the nose and / or tail of the aircraft.
9. A payload carrying system according to any of the previous Claims, comprising actuator (5), which has an electric motor that enables the payload (4) to be brought to the second position by the roller (10).
10. A payload carrying system according to any of the previous Claims, comprising at least one hook (12) that extends out from the body (2) and holds the rope (3) passing through the roller (10).