Aircraft Center of Gravity Adjustment Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircrafts with multiple thrust production units are at risk of unbalance and loss of control due to failures, which can lead to accidents, as existing methods do not effectively adjust the center of gravity to compensate for unit failures.
Innovation Solution
An adjustment device that includes a movable heavy member and an avionics system to detect failures and control actuators to reposition the center of gravity, ensuring it remains within a safe zone defined by operational thrust production units, using electrical energy storage members and various actuators like jacks and pyrotechnic devices for quick adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the aircraft operates with multiple thrust production units, then the lift and propulsion capability are improved, but the risk of unbalance and loss of control increases when a unit fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable heavy member that can dynamically reposition along the longitudinal axis of the aircraft in response to thrust production unit failures. This dynamic adjustment of the center of gravity allows the aircraft to maintain stability and control authority even when operating with reduced thrust capability, resolving the contradiction between having multiple thrust units for power and the reliability risk when they fail.
2Reliability
If the center of gravity is adjusted to compensate for thrust unit failure, then the stability and control are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment device is segmented into modular components: a movable heavy member that can be independently positioned, actuators for movement control, and an avionics system for detection and coordination. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, simplifying the overall system architecture while achieving the goal of maintaining stability through center of gravity adjustment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a heavy member is made movable to adjust the center of gravity, then the ability to compensate for failures is improved, but the weight of the aircraft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable heavy member system is designed to be self-regulating through the avionics system that automatically detects thrust production unit failures and coordinates actuator movement to reposition the heavy member. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex manual intervention systems or additional heavy compensation mechanisms, achieving adaptability while minimizing weight penalties.
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 solution enables the aircraft to maintain stability and control by quickly repositioning the center of gravity in response to thrust unit failures, reducing the risk of unbalance and accidents, even with partial or total thrust failures, thereby enhancing safety and pilotability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heavy member (15) made to be movable in the reference frame of the aircraft (1)... configured to change a position of a center of gravity (100) of the aircraft (1)
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustment device for adjusting the position of the center of gravity of an aircraft, the aircraft having at least two thrust production units that contribute at least to providing the aircraft with lift, the adjustment device comprising at least one heavy member that is movable relative to an airframe of the aircraft and also at least one actuator for causing the heavy member to move. The adjustment device includes an avionics system configured to detect a failure of any one of the thrust production units and, in the presence of such a failure, to control the at least one actuator to cause the heavy member to move.