Aircraft Payload Magazine With Rotating Launch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional payload launch systems from aircrafts face issues such as high cost, weight, complexity, and potential damage due to payloads bouncing off shock waves, especially in high-speed flights, using high-pressure mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a magazine with a conveying mechanism that includes rotatable members to launch payloads from the aircraft's outer skin, employing a pivoting mechanism for orientation change and a conveying mechanism with rotatable members to propel payloads at a predetermined rate, eliminating the need for high-pressure systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional high-pressure piston or hydraulic mechanisms are used to launch payloads vertically, then payloads can be ejected from the aircraft, but the system becomes complex, heavy, and expensive, and payloads may bounce off shock waves and slam back into the aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex high-pressure piston or hydraulic mechanisms from the launch system. Instead, it uses a simple gravity-fed magazine that ejects payloads vertically through a breakout panel, eliminating the need for complex propulsion mechanisms while maintaining payload ejection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using complex mechanical or hydraulic systems to actively propel payloads forward, the invention inverts the approach by using gravity to passively accelerate payloads downward through vertical ejection. This reverses the conventional horizontal launch paradigm and eliminates the need for complex propulsion systems.
2Speed
If high-pressure mechanisms are used to launch payloads, then payloads can be ejected at sufficient speed, but the system weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex high-pressure mechanical propulsion systems with a simple gravity-based ejection mechanism. The magazine uses gravitational force to accelerate payloads vertically, eliminating heavy pistons, hydraulics, or other complex mechanical propulsion systems while achieving sufficient ejection speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a simple, lightweight magazine structure that can be discarded or replaced after use, rather than investing in heavy, durable high-pressure launch systems. The magazine itself becomes a disposable component that provides the necessary ejection function without requiring complex reusable infrastructure.
3Reliability
If conventional vertical launch systems are used, then payloads can be ejected, but the system cost increases due to complex mechanisms and safety requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the launch system into simple, modular components: a magazine for holding payloads, a breakout panel for ejection, and a release mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simple processes, reducing overall system cost while maintaining reliability through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a disposable magazine design that can be manufactured cheaply and replaced after use, eliminating the need for expensive, complex, and durable launch systems. The magazine serves its purpose of holding and ejecting payloads through simple gravity-based mechanics, then can be discarded or replaced without significant cost.
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
Reduces system complexity and cost, enhances safety by avoiding payload bounce-off issues, and achieves higher reliability and efficiency in payload launch.
Implementation Method 1
a rotatable conveying member configured for contacting an outer surface of the payload when the payload is loaded into the payload chamber and for selectably rotating at a predetermined rate so as to cause the payload to be launched out of the magazine through the exit port
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for launching a payload from an aircraft includes a magazine and a conveying mechanism. The magazine has a payload chamber at a first end of the magazine for retaining the payload and an exit port through which the payload may be launched, with the magazine configured to be disposed at or below an outer skin surface of the aircraft. The conveying mechanism includes a rotatable conveying member for contacting an outer surface of the payload when the payload is loaded into the payload chamber and for selectably rotating so as to cause the payload to be launched out of the magazine through the exit port. The system may optionally include a pivoting mechanism for pivoting the magazine between a stowed orientation and a deployed orientation, wherein the first end extends outside the outer skin surface in the deployed orientation.