Aircraft Water Intake Using Gas Bubble Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for filling water tanks in aircraft are time-consuming, require slow flight speeds, significantly decelerate the aircraft, and are limited to specific aircraft types that can fly close to the water surface, thus not efficiently relieving the propulsion system and posing safety and practicality issues.
Innovation Solution
A device with an immersion body and gas bubble generation means for partially enveloping the body, allowing water intake at higher speeds and safer operation, utilizing dynamic pressure and gas bubbles to reduce drag and enable rapid water collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the aircraft flies slowly to lower the device and pull it through water, then water can be taken into the aircraft, but the filling process takes a long time and the aircraft is significantly decelerated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a gas bubble generation system to create cavitation bubbles around the immersion body. These gas bubbles reduce the hydrodynamic drag and resistance during water intake, allowing the aircraft to maintain higher speeds while efficiently collecting water. The pneumatic injection of gas into the water flow around the immersion body creates a low-resistance pathway for water intake.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the water intake process by generating gas bubbles that alter the flow characteristics. This transforms the high-resistance water intake process into a low-resistance process, enabling rapid water filling at high aircraft speeds without significant deceleration.
2Productivity
If the device is pulled through water with high energy input, then water intake is achieved, but excessive energy is consumed and propulsion system load is not relieved
Solution Approach 1:
The gas bubble generation system uses pneumatic energy to create cavitation bubbles that reduce hydrodynamic resistance. This pneumatic assistance significantly lowers the mechanical energy required to pull the immersion body through water, reducing the load on the propulsion system while maintaining efficient water intake.
3Productivity
If the aircraft flies close to the water surface, then water intake is possible, but flight safety is reduced and the device is limited to specific aircraft types
Solution Approach 1:
The gas bubble cushion created around the immersion body acts as a protective barrier, allowing the device to operate at higher altitudes above the water surface. This pneumatic cushion reduces the need for the aircraft to fly dangerously close to the water, improving flight safety and expanding compatibility to various aircraft types.
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 rapid water filling at speeds up to 300 km/h, reducing energy input and enhancing flight safety, suitable for various aircraft types without structural modifications, increasing firefighting capacity and operational radius.
Implementation Method 1
at least one means for generating at least one gas bubble for at least partially enveloping the immersion body
Implementation Method 2
utilizing dynamic pressure and gas bubbles to reduce drag
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Proposed is an apparatus for accepting liquids, preferably water, in an aircraft, preferably an airplane. The apparatus comprises at least one immersion element having at least one water inlet port, and means for producing a gas bubble for at least partly surrounding the immersion element and/or means for producing a gas film at least in part on the immersion element.