Ship-based, collapsible runway for unmanned aerial vehicles of aircraft type

Abstract

FIELD: marine vessels for takeoff and landing of aircraft.SUBSTANCE: marine-based collapsible runway for aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles includes a set of metal structures with electric drives, a set of hydraulic cylinders (3), and a set of locking fasteners. Said runway also comprises the frames of the left and right side platforms (1, 2), a set of metal sheets (5, 6) for closing the central part of the structure when the platforms are extended. The hydraulic cylinders (3) are configured to be placed in the space of the double side of the ship and to rotate at the attachment points. The runway is configured to be positioned across the main deck and reinforced by a deck over half the length of the runway in a ready-to-operate position, and the left and right side frames are consoles resting on hydraulic cylinders (3) over a quarter of the length of the runway.EFFECT: ships can be equipped with a take-off and landing device without creating a separate free deck and without changing the main dimensions of the vessel.1 cl, 3 dwg

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of shipbuilding (ship structures), to ships and vessels that do not have a separate free deck intended for the takeoff and landing of aircraft (short takeoff and landing aircraft (hereinafter STOL)) of medium and medium-heavy takeoff weight.

[0002] The following patents are known: “Ship takeoff and landing device for short- and medium-range aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles” (RU Patent 2694251) and “Method for remotely launching an aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicle using a gas catapult” (RU Patent 2497725) for designs of similar purpose.

[0003] However, they have a number of limitations compared to the proposed invention. Russian Patent 2497725 describes a technology using a catapult. The use of such mechanisms limits the weight of the launched vehicle and the dramatic increase in the installation's dimensions as the UAV's weight exceeds 100 kg. Energy consumption also increases due to the dramatic increase in the catapult's power consumption. Russian Patent 2694251 describes a launch system using an accelerated launch and braking carriage located on an acceleration and landing rail, and a system and set of telescopic rods (with a stabilization system) designed to extend the carriage and the secured UAV beyond the vessel's overall dimensions and compensate for sea disturbances. This solution has a design limitation on the UAV weight, due to significant bending moments arising in the rods from the weight (UAV and carriage), acting on the takeoff landing rail when the carriage travels 50 meters and the takeoff weight of the UAV is from 100 to 500 kg.

[0004] The objective of the claimed invention is to provide vessels and ships with a take-off and landing device for medium and medium-heavy unmanned aerial vehicles (aircraft type, implementing one of the following schemes for take-off and landing: STOL, STOVL) without organizing a separate free deck and without changing the main dimensions of the vessel.

[0005] This is achieved by the fact that the composition of the ship's collapsible runway for unmanned aerial vehicles of the aircraft type, including a set of metal structures with electric drives, a set of hydraulic cylinders, a set of locking fasteners, according to the invention, are introduced frames of the left and right sides of the platforms, a set of metal sheets for closing the central part of the structure when extending the platforms, while the hydraulic cylinders are made with the possibility of placement in the space of the double side of the ship and rotation at the attachment points, and the runway is made with the possibility of placement across the main deck and reinforcement with a deck along half the length of the runway in a ready-to-operate position, and the frames of the left and right sides are consoles resting on the hydraulic cylinders along a quarter of the length of the runway.

[0006] The essence of the proposed invention is explained by the drawings, where Fig. 1 shows the design of a collapsible runway (with cutouts) for unmanned aerial vehicles of the aircraft type, Fig. 2 shows the frame of the left-hand platform, and Fig. 3 shows the placement of hydraulic cylinders in the space of the double side of the ship. The collapsible runway consists of:

[0007] 1 - left-hand platform frame with engagement teeth;

[0008] 2 - starboard platform frame with engagement teeth;

[0009] 3 - rotary hydraulic cylinders for supporting frames (left and right sides);

[0010] 4 - guides (left and right), relative to which the left and right side frames move;

[0011] 5 - top sheet of left side platform;

[0012] 6 - top sheet of the starboard platform;

[0013] 7 - drive electric motors for moving frames (left and right sides) relative to the guides;

[0014] 8 - engagement gear for transmitting movement from drive electric motors to frames (left and right sides).

[0015] Description of device operation.

[0016] The drive motor (7) rotates the engagement gear (8), which transmits motion to the frame (1) and (2), respectively. The frame (1) with the top sheet (5) secured to it begins to move toward the left side of the vessel. The frame (2) with the top sheet (6) secured to it begins to move toward the starboard side of the vessel. The rotary hydraulic cylinders (3) rotate at the attachment points (Figure 3, double-side space) and the excess pressure created eliminates bending movements associated with the increase in bending moment caused by the frame extending beyond the plane of the vessel's deck. Upon reaching the working position, the frame (1, 2) is fixed to the guide (4) by means of metal fasteners ("crutch", bolt, etc.). The design of the guides has projections along the entire length, limiting the vertical and horizontal displacement of the frame. The open space formed by the expansion of the frames is closed with steel sheets equal in thickness to the upper sheets of the platform.The collapsible runway has been deployed.

[0017] This solution allows for the deployment of a runway on a vessel suitable for the launch and landing of fixed-wing UAVs using STOL, STOVL technology, without having its own runway deck.

Claims

A ship-mounted collapsible runway for unmanned aerial vehicles of an aircraft type, including a set of metal structures with electric drives, a set of hydraulic cylinders, a set of locking fasteners, characterized in that it includes frames of the left and right side platforms, a set of metal sheets for closing the central part of the structure when extending the platforms, wherein the hydraulic cylinders are designed with the possibility of placement in the space of the double side of the ship and rotation at the attachment points, and the runway is designed with the possibility of placement across the main deck and reinforcement with a deck along half the length of the runway in a ready-for-use position, and the frames of the left and right sides are consoles resting on the hydraulic cylinders along a quarter of the length of the runway.

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