Airship Mainframe Jig With Rotating Rail Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for constructing airships are inefficient, as they require complex and costly assembly processes that pose safety risks to workers and are time-consuming, especially when dealing with rigid or semi-rigid structures.

Innovation Solution

The use of preconfigured joints manufactured via 3D printing or additive manufacturing, which can be assembled on the ground using detachable wheels on a semi-circular jig, allowing for safer and faster construction of airship frames using carbon-fiber materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional assembly methods are used for rigid or semi-rigid airship structures, then structural strength is maintained, but construction time increases and worker safety risks worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The airship structure is divided into modular components (mainframe sections, ribs, panels) that can be manufactured separately and assembled systematically. Preconfigured joints with standardized connection interfaces enable modular assembly, reducing construction time while maintaining structural integrity through controlled joining of segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Critical structural components and joints are pre-manufactured with precise configurations before final assembly. The preconfigured joints include pre-drilled holes, pre-formed connection features, and pre-positioned mounting points, allowing rapid assembly without time-consuming field modifications while ensuring structural strength is maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If traditional assembly methods are used for airship structures, then structural integrity is maintained, but worker safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidworker safety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional heavy mechanical lifting and manual assembly operations are replaced with lighter, more controlled assembly mechanisms. The preconfigured joints use simplified connection methods that reduce the need for heavy equipment and manual handling of large structural components, thereby improving worker safety while maintaining structural integrity through precise, controlled joining processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If complex assembly processes are used for rigid airship structures, then structural precision is maintained, but construction cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural precisionVSAvoidconstruction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The structure is segmented into standardized modules that can be manufactured using consistent processes, reducing overall complexity. Each module is produced with controlled precision, but the repetition of standardized processes across multiple modules reduces per-unit cost compared to custom fabrication of entire structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design transitions from continuous, custom-fitted structural elements to discrete modules with standardized dimensions and connection parameters. This parameter standardization enables more efficient manufacturing processes, tooling reuse, and quality control, reducing construction costs while maintaining required structural precision through controlled assembly of precision-manufactured components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If preconfigured joints manufactured via 3D printing are used, then construction speed increases, but manufacturing complexity shifts to additive manufacturing processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction speedVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional subtractive manufacturing or assembly of complex joint geometries is replaced with additive manufacturing (3D printing). This enables direct fabrication of preconfigured joints with intricate internal structures and integrated features that would be difficult or time-consuming to create through traditional methods, increasing construction speed while consolidating manufacturing complexity into controlled production processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11618543B2Apparatuses for constructing airships

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 LTA RESEARCH & EXPLORATION LLC

AI summary

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for constructing an airship quickly and cost-effectively are described. In one embodiments, a jig for constructing a mainframe of an airship structure may have a first rail and a second rail that are configured to be parallel to each other, the first rail and the second rail each forming an arc, multiple first supporting structures coupled to the first rail, wherein the first supporting structures have non-uniform heights to support a curvature of the arc of the first rail, multiple second supporting structures coupled to the second rail, wherein the second supporting structures have non-uniform heights to support a curvature of the arc of the second rail, wherein the first rail and the second rail are configured to interface with detachable wheels coupled to an outer surface of the mainframe and enable the mainframe to be rotated along its axis on the jig.