Aircraft Smoke Marker Launch System Using Compressed Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoke marker launch systems on aircraft are inefficient in accurately targeting a specific point, especially at night, and pose safety risks due to the use of gunpowder, requiring measures to minimize these risks.
Innovation Solution
A compressed-air propelling system with a gun and electronic control unit is installed on the aircraft to launch smoke markers in a direction opposite to the flight path, using a barrel to guide the marker and air bags inflated by compressed air to achieve precise targeting and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If gunpowder is used to launch smoke markers, then the smoke markers can be launched with sufficient force, but safety risks increase for the aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gunpowder-based mechanical launch system with a compressed air propelling system. The compressed air is stored in a reservoir and released through a valve to inflate air bags that propel the smoke marker. This substitution eliminates the safety hazards of gunpowder while maintaining the necessary launch force through pneumatic pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using compressed air stored in a reservoir at high pressure (e.g., 200 bar). The compressed air is controlledly released to inflate air bags that generate the propelling force. This pneumatic system provides a safe alternative to gunpowder while achieving the required launch performance through controlled gas pressure expansion.
2Measurement precision
If the aircraft flies over the area multiple times to accurately drop smoke markers, then targeting precision improves, but flight time and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of dropping smoke markers forward from the aircraft's flight path, the system launches them backward in the opposite direction of flight using compressed air. This inversion of the launch direction allows the aircraft to pass over the target area once, launch the smoke marker backward to the precise location, and eliminate the need for repeated passes, thereby reducing flight time and fuel consumption while maintaining high targeting accuracy.
3Device complexity
If a simple launch system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to launch smoke markers in the opposite direction of flight is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The launch system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a compressed air reservoir for energy storage, a control valve for regulated air release, air bags for propelling the smoke marker, and a barrel for guiding the marker. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling backward launch capability without creating excessive overall system complexity.
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 system allows for accurate and safe launching of smoke markers at high speeds, ensuring they fall at the intended point, reducing the need for repeated aircraft passes and minimizing safety hazards associated with gunpowder use.
Implementation Method 1
an air compressor (18) arranged to generate compressed air at a given pressure
Implementation Method 2
a supply device (22) arranged to deliver the compressed air stored in the reservoir (20) in a controlled way to the gun (12) for the launch of the smoke marker (16)
Implementation Method 3
the gun (12) comprises a barrel (24), intended to guide the smoke marker (16) in the first phase of the launch
Implementation Method 4
the connection member (30) is arranged to be moved along the direction of the axis of the barrel (24) between a closed position, or operative position, and an open position, or non-operative position
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The aircraft (100) is provided with a launch system (10) comprising a gun (12) arranged to receive a container (14) containing the smoke marker (16) to be launched, and compressed-air propelling means (18, 20, 22) arranged to generate a thrust onto the smoke marker (16) to launch it from the gun (12) with a given speed. The compressed-air propelling means (18, 20, 22) comprise an air compressor (18) arranged to generate compressed air at a given pressure, a reservoir (20) for storing the compressed air generated by the air compressor (18), and supply means (22) arranged to deliver the compressed air stored in the reservoir (20) in a controlled manner to the gun (12). The launch system (10) is installed on the aircraft (100) so as to launch the smoke marker (16) in a direction opposite to the flying direction of the aircraft (100).