Aircraft Nose Recess Design for Optical Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing nose sections of flying machines with protruding cap strips for enhanced vision systems disrupt aerodynamic behavior, cause ice accumulation, and increase cockpit noise, especially in icing conditions and at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
A nose section design featuring a recess within the enclosure where the window is at least partially positioned, minimizing protrusion and optimizing the angle of the window to reduce aerodynamic disruptions and ice accumulation, while maintaining effective viewing capabilities for pilots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a protruding cap strip is used to provide adequate field of vision for the optical sensor, then the viewing angle is improved, but the aerodynamic behavior is disrupted causing boundary layer separation and increased drag
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor is nested within a recess in the nose section rather than protruding outward. The recess is defined by a front wall, side walls, and a bottom wall, creating a cavity that houses the sensor while maintaining a smooth outer surface of the nose section, thereby eliminating boundary layer separation and aerodynamic disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending the cap strip in the longitudinal dimension (outward protrusion), the solution moves the sensor into the transverse dimension by creating a recess sideways in the nose section. This dimensional shift allows adequate viewing angle while preserving the streamlined external shape.
2Ease of operation
If a protruding cap strip is used to position the optical sensor, then the field of vision is improved, but ice accumulation occurs on the fuselage during icing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor is nested within a recess in the nose section rather than protruding outward. The recess is defined by a front wall, side walls, and a bottom wall, creating a cavity that houses the sensor while maintaining a smooth outer surface of the nose section, thereby eliminating boundary layer separation and aerodynamic disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending the cap strip in the longitudinal dimension (outward protrusion), the solution moves the sensor into the transverse dimension by creating a recess sideways in the nose section. This dimensional shift allows adequate viewing angle while preserving the streamlined external shape.
3Ease of operation
If a protruding cap strip is used to house the optical sensor, then the viewing capabilities are improved, but cockpit noise is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor is nested within a recess in the nose section rather than protruding outward. The recess is defined by a front wall, side walls, and a bottom wall, creating a cavity that houses the sensor while maintaining a smooth outer surface of the nose section, thereby eliminating boundary layer separation and aerodynamic disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending the cap strip in the longitudinal dimension (outward protrusion), the solution moves the sensor into the transverse dimension by creating a recess sideways in the nose section. This dimensional shift allows adequate viewing angle while preserving the streamlined external shape.
Data Source
AI summary
The nose section for a flying machine according to the invention comprises an enclosure delimiting a nose cone extending along a longitudinal axis (A-A′), the enclosure delimiting a window, and a glass closing the window extending transversely relative to the longitudinal axis (A-A′). The nose section includes an optical sensor, in particular a camera, positioned in the enclosure behind the glass. The enclosure defines a recess, the window covered by the glass being at least partially positioned in the recess.