Movable Aircraft Catapult With Winch Retraction for Short Runways

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional catapults for aircraft take-off are costly, complex, and inefficient, particularly in small cities and high-altitude areas, where they struggle to provide sufficient acceleration and lift, leading to reduced payload capacity and increased risk of hull damage.

Innovation Solution

A novel catapult design featuring a take-off assisting member with a power source and winch system that includes contact frames or rollers to push aircraft struts or wheels, allowing for manual, autonomous, or remote-controlled operation, and utilizing a lightweight power source like jet engines for reduced weight and cost, with a winch and shock absorber for safe retraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional steam type catapult is used to assist aircraft take-off, then the aircraft can be launched from a short runway, but the hull may be damaged due to reaction force and the cost is excessively high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaircraft take-off capabilityVSAvoidhull damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the catapult function from the hull structure by using a separate, movable catapult device that operates independently on the runway surface. This separates the launch function from the hull, eliminating the harmful reaction force transmission to the hull while maintaining aircraft launch capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable catapult device acts as an intermediary between the ground and the aircraft. It provides the necessary launch force through its own propulsion system without directly transmitting reaction forces to the hull, thus protecting the hull from damage while enabling aircraft take-off.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a conventional steam type catapult is used to assist aircraft take-off, then the aircraft can be launched from a short runway, but the installation cost is excessively high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaircraft take-off capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a movable catapult device that can be deployed temporarily for aircraft launch and then moved or stored. This approach uses simpler, less expensive equipment compared to permanent hull-integrated catapults, significantly reducing installation and maintenance costs while maintaining launch capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the complex steam-based mechanical catapult system with a more modern propulsion system that can be mounted on a movable platform. This substitution reduces structural complexity and installation requirements, thereby lowering overall system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If a ski jump type take-off is used, then the aircraft can take-off from a short runway, but the acceleration slows down and the hull weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaircraft take-off capabilityVSAvoidaircraft acceleration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the acceleration function from the hull structure by using a separate movable catapult device equipped with its own propulsion system. This allows the aircraft to receive additional forward force during launch without relying on hull inclination, maintaining high acceleration while enabling short runway operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If a ski jump type take-off is used, then the aircraft can take-off from a short runway, but the head wind cannot be utilized since the bow slope blocks the wind

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaircraft take-off capabilityVSAvoidwind utilization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the take-off assistance function from the hull bow structure and places it on a movable catapult device. This allows the hull to maintain a flat, wind-receptive bow configuration while the movable catapult provides the necessary launch assistance, enabling both headwind utilization and short runway operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design simplifies the catapult structure, reduces installation costs, and effectively assists aircraft take-off on short runways, minimizing hull stress and damage while enabling higher payload capacity and efficient operation in challenging environments.

Implementation Method 1

a power source coupled to the take-off assisting member to drive the take-off assisting member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThrust: Jet

Implementation Method 2

a winch coupled to the take-off assisting member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 3

The catapult may include a shock absorber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS20240343412A1Catapult

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 LEE IN OK

AI summary

A catapult is disclosed. The catapult according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a take-off assisting member contacting an aircraft to push the aircraft; a power source coupled to the take-off assisting member to drive the take-off assisting member; and a winch coupled to the take-off assisting member.