Active Aircraft Landing Platform Self-Levelling Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft landing platforms on access facilities, such as boats, are unstable and difficult to access during adverse weather conditions or when subjected to external disturbances, making the landing maneuver hazardous for pilots.

Innovation Solution

An active platform with a mechanical self-levelling system and moving components that continuously adapt to external events, ensuring the landing footboard remains horizontally aligned, even in rough seas, and can be positioned anywhere on the facility, including the prow, stern, or command bridge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the platform is firmly fixed in position to provide stable support, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to adapt to external disturbances and maintain horizontal position during adverse weather deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to external disturbances
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The platform transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable system. The moving means enable the platform to change its position and orientation in response to external disturbances, allowing it to adapt to adverse weather conditions while maintaining stability during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The platform's position, orientation, and configuration parameters are made variable through the moving means. This allows the platform to change its state based on operational requirements and external conditions, transforming it from a fixed structure to an adaptive system that can maintain horizontal position despite external disturbances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the platform remains constantly visible and accessible, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety during critical weather conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to pilot and crewVSAvoidsafety during critical weather
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The platform's visibility and accessibility are dynamically adjusted based on weather conditions. During normal conditions, the platform remains visible and accessible for easy operation. During critical weather, the system can reposition or adjust the platform to maintain safety while preserving operational capability when conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the platform occupies fixed space to ensure proper landing position, then the landing safety is improved, but the versatility of mounting locations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelanding safetyVSAvoidmounting location flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The platform replaces fixed mounting with dynamic repositioning capability. The moving means allow the platform to be installed in various locations on the access facility and then dynamically adjusted to the optimal position for safe landings, combining location flexibility with landing safety through active control rather than fixed positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2552771B1Active platform for the landing of an aircraft on an access facility
Publication Date: 2014.04.30 B FINANCIAL
  • EP2552771B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2552771B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2552771B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An active platform (1) for the landing of an aircraft on an access facility (B) including a support basement (2), suitable to be fixed on a reference surface (P) belonging to the aforesaid access facility (B), and a landing footboard (3), superiorly connected with the support basement (2) and suitable to receive the aircraft. In this case, the landing platform (1) comprises compensation and levelling means (4), operatively connected with moving means (5) so as to constantly keep the landing footboard (3) on a substantially horizontal plane when atmospheric agents, fluid masses and/or adjacent structures interfere with the access facility (B).