Airship Propulsion System Using Fixed Ducted Fans

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing propulsion systems for airships lack the ability to achieve near-instantaneous omnidirectional maneuverability, often requiring complex mechanisms, increased weight, energy consumption, and reduced efficiency due to limitations in thrust direction and movement capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A propulsion system utilizing eight ducted fans and a stern engine with fixed thrust vectors, allowing for simultaneous movement in all six degrees of freedom without the need for rotating engines or reversing thrust, enabling precise path-following and efficient forward flight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If swiveled engines are used to change thrust direction, then maneuverability is improved, but response time deteriorates and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The propulsion system is divided into multiple independent fixed engines (at least six) positioned at different locations on the airship, each producing thrust in a fixed direction. By independently controlling the thrust of each engine, the system can achieve omnidirectional maneuverability without requiring any engine to swivel, thus eliminating response time delays associated with mechanical rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from controlling thrust direction by rotating individual engines to controlling the vector sum of multiple fixed engines. By adjusting the thrust magnitude of each fixed engine independently, the system achieves three-dimensional thrust vectoring capability, enabling movement in all six degrees of freedom without mechanical swiveling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If swiveled engines are used to change thrust direction, then maneuverability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If pitch-adjusted propeller blades are used to reverse thrust direction, then bidirectional movement is improved, but device complexity and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebidirectional movementVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using complex pitch-adjusted propeller blades to reverse thrust direction, the invention uses multiple fixed engines positioned to provide thrust in opposite directions. By independently controlling the thrust of engines facing opposite directions, the system achieves bidirectional movement without mechanical pitch adjustment mechanisms, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Adaptability or versatility

If fixed engines with thrust redirecting ducts are used, then thrust direction control is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrust direction controlVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

5Adaptability or versatility

If fixed engines with thrust redirecting vanes are used, then thrust direction control is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrust direction controlVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 near-instantaneous omnidirectional maneuverability and efficient forward flight, reducing energy consumption and mechanical complexity while maintaining reliability, allowing the airship to maintain position and orientation even in windy conditions.

Implementation Method 1

A propulsion system utilizing eight ducted fans and a stern engine with fixed thrust vectors, allowing for simultaneous movement in all six degrees of freedom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThrust: Force

Data Source

PatentUS11299249B2Propulsion system for highly maneuverable airship

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 WIBBING DANIEL

AI summary

A propulsion system for omnidirectional maneuverability and efficient forward flight of an airship. The propulsion system includes only fixed, unidirectional engines (17, 19, 20). Thrust vectors of the fixed engines (19, 20) are oriented in a way that their speeds can be chosen such that all forces acting on the airship (i.e., engine thrusts, gravity, buoyancy, wind and potentially others) together result in the desired motion. The engines may be four ducted fans (17) at the bow of the aircraft and four ducted fans (19) at the stern of the aircraft. The thrust vectors of the engines can be decomposed into three vectors of equal length that are each parallel to one of the three axes of a Cartesian coordinate system. Efficient forward flight is achieved by an additional engine (20) at the stern of the airship.