Aircraft With Detachable Payload Module For Intact Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
High altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft lack landing gear, making it difficult to return the vehicle and payload module intact to the ground, as traditional aspects like landing gear are not included to meet weight requirements.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft with a detachable payload module using a decoupling element, such as electromagnets, electro-mechanical release mechanisms, or pyrotechnic hold down and release mechanisms, allowing the payload module to be separated from the fuselage during flight for independent landing, while the aerofoil aids in landing the remaining aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If landing gear is excluded from the HALE aircraft to meet weight requirements, then the weight requirement is satisfied, but the ability to return the aircraft and payload module intact to the ground is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft system is divided into two separable components: the fuselage and the payload module. The payload module can be decoupled during flight and returned independently to the ground, while the fuselage continues its mission. This segmentation allows the fuselage to operate without heavy landing gear while the payload module can be recovered intact separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The payload module containing sensitive equipment is extracted as a separable unit from the fuselage. By removing the payload module from the main aircraft structure, it can be returned to ground independently using its own landing gear, while the fuselage maintains its lightweight design without traditional landing gear.
2Weight of moving object
If traditional aspects of aircraft including landing gear are excluded to meet weight requirements, then weight efficiency is improved, but the mechanism for independent payload module landing is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft is segmented into a fuselage and a payload module with independent landing capabilities. The payload module contains its own landing gear and can be decoupled during flight to return independently to ground, providing ease of operation for payload recovery while the fuselage remains lightweight.
3Ease of operation
If the payload module is decoupled from the fuselage during flight, then the payload module can be landed independently, but the aerofoil becomes exposed to oncoming air requiring aerodynamic considerations
Solution Approach 1:
The payload module's position relative to the fuselage is made dynamic rather than fixed. The module can be coupled during flight to maintain aerodynamic integrity, and decoupled during landing to enable independent recovery. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to different operational phases, managing aerodynamic complexity while enabling independent payload landing.
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
Enables the safe and intact return of both the payload module and the aircraft to the ground, reducing the risk of damage to sensitive equipment and allowing for potential reuse of the payload module.
Implementation Method 1
The de-coupling element may comprise one or more electromagnets that are configured to couple the payload module to the fuselage when energised, wherein the one or more electromagnets are configured to be de-energised to decouple the payload module from the fuselage upon receipt of a de-coupling input
Implementation Method 2
The aerofoil aids in landing the remainder of the aircraft after the payload module has been de-coupled
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4A
Figure 4B~4C
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an aircraft comprising: a fuselage; and a payload module coupled to the fuselage, the payload module comprising one or more data storage devices. The payload module is configured to be decoupled from the fuselage during flight upon receipt of a de-coupling input.