Composite Airframe Break Path for Ballistic Parachute Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
New types of aircraft, such as ultralight multicopters, face challenges in emergency landings due to low altitudes and strict weight limitations, where conventional parachute systems may not inflate quickly enough or be lightweight enough, and the rocket needs to break through a composite airframe with limited kinetic energy.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a preferred break point and path in the composite material airframe over the rocket and canopy canisters, allowing the rocket to break through with reduced kinetic energy, using techniques like adhesive-filled cuts and pre-preg construction, and incorporating puncturers to facilitate the rocket's trajectory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional parachute systems are used in ultralight aircraft, then the aircraft can achieve emergency landing capability, but the parachute system is too heavy and does not inflate quickly enough at low altitudes
Solution Approach 1:
The parachute canopy is pre-packaged in a compact canister with a predetermined break path already formed in the airframe. The break path includes pre-positioned adhesive-filled cutouts that will separate at specific locations when the rocket propels the canopy outward, ensuring rapid deployment without requiring complex real-time deployment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The parachute canopy is nested within a canister that is itself positioned within the airframe. The canister acts as a compact storage container that protects the canopy during flight while allowing rapid ejection when needed, reducing the overall deployment time and weight compared to traditional parachute systems
2Weight of moving object
If the rocket is positioned close to the airframe to reduce weight, then the kinetic energy available to break through the airframe is reduced, but the rocket must still penetrate the composite material
Solution Approach 1:
A predetermined break path is formed in the airframe at the location where the rocket needs to penetrate. This break path includes pre-positioned adhesive-filled cutouts that create weak points in the composite material, allowing the rocket to break through with minimal kinetic energy. The break path is prepared in advance during manufacturing, ensuring reliable penetration even with limited rocket thrust
Solution Approach 2:
The airframe structure is modified locally at the rocket penetration point by creating a break path with adhesive-filled cutouts. This localized modification reduces the structural strength only where needed for rocket penetration, while maintaining the overall structural integrity and strength of the rest of the airframe, thus allowing close positioning of the rocket without compromising penetration reliability
3Strength
If the airframe is made of strong composite material to maintain structural integrity, then the rocket has difficulty breaking through, but the airframe must be penetrated for parachute deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The airframe is segmented into two functional zones: a strong composite material structure for overall structural integrity, and a predetermined break path with adhesive-filled cutouts for rocket penetration. The break path divides the composite material into sections that can separate cleanly when the rocket passes through, maintaining strength where needed while enabling penetration where required
Solution Approach 2:
The airframe exhibits different local properties: the majority of the airframe maintains strong composite material construction for structural integrity, while the specific region where rocket penetration is needed contains a predetermined break path with reduced strength characteristics. This localized weakness allows reliable rocket penetration without compromising the overall structural strength of the airframe
4Use of energy by moving object
If the rocket travels along a direct path to minimize energy consumption, then it may snag on internal airframe structures, but a longer path increases energy requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A predetermined break path is formed in the airframe that guides the rocket along an optimal trajectory during penetration. This break path is designed in advance to avoid internal airframe structures that could cause snagging, while maintaining a relatively direct route to minimize energy consumption. The break path includes pre-positioned adhesive-filled cutouts that ensure clean separation along the intended trajectory
Data Source
AI summary
A preferred break point is provided in the airframe, where there is a ballistic parachute system which includes a rocket which sits in a rocket canister and a canopy which sits in a canopy canister. The airframe includes a composite material and covers the ballistic parachute system. The preferred break point is located in the airframe over the opening of the rocket canister. A preferred break path is provided in the airframe located at least partially over the opening of the rocket canister and at least partially over the opening of the canopy canister.