Blended Wing Body Aircraft Modular Assembly for Mission Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft designs face limitations in flexibility and adaptability for mission-specific roles, particularly in troop transport and medical evacuation, due to fixed configurations that do not allow for easy customization or swapping of modules.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft with a blended wing body (BWB) design featuring modular receptacles and modules that can be removably attached, including plumbing, electrical, and medical modules, allowing for customizable configurations such as troop transport, medical evacuation, or hospital platforms, with integrated utility connections for power, water, and waste management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed aircraft configurations are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability for different mission roles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft interior is divided into separate modular units (passenger modules, cargo modules, medical modules, etc.) that can be independently attached and detached from the main airframe. Each module is a self-contained unit with its own structural framework, allowing the aircraft to be reconfigured for different missions by swapping modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft airframe is designed with universal mounting interfaces and standardized connection points that can accommodate multiple types of modules. The same basic airframe structure can support passenger transport modules, cargo containers, medical equipment, or humanitarian aid supplies through the same attachment system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular receptacles and modules are integrated into the aircraft, then adaptability for different missions is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into two independent streams: airframe production and module production. The airframe is manufactured with standardized mounting structures, while modules are manufactured separately as independent units. This allows parallel production and simplifies quality control for each component type.
Solution Approach 2:
Standardized mounting interfaces, connection points, and attachment mechanisms are pre-designed and pre-integrated into the airframe during initial manufacturing. This preliminary action establishes a universal platform that simplifies subsequent module installation and reduces the complexity of custom manufacturing for each mission configuration.
3Ease of operation
If modules are removably attached to receptacles, then operational flexibility is enhanced, but reliability of connections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection and disconnection actions are extracted as distinct, standardized operations. Quick-release latches and standardized coupling mechanisms allow modules to be safely attached and detached through defined procedures, ensuring that each connection action is controlled and verified for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system incorporates pre-designed load distribution structures and redundancy in connection points. Before a module is attached, the airframe provides structural support and load paths are pre-established to ensure that connection forces are distributed safely, preventing connection failure during operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If integrated utility connections are provided for plumbing and electrical systems, then functionality for diverse missions is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Utility connection interfaces are designed as universal multi-functional ports that can provide multiple services (electrical power, pneumatic pressure, hydraulic fluid, data communication) through standardized connection points. A single universal interface type can accommodate different module types, reducing the variety of unique connections required.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple utility systems (electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, data) are merged into integrated connection assemblies where multiple service lines are bundled and connected through unified interface structures. This combining of systems reduces the total number of separate connection points and simplifies the overall utility infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft comprising a plurality of modules is disclosed. The aircraft in includes a blended wing body (BWB) aircraft. The blended wing body aircraft comprises a main body, a transition, and wings with no clear demarcation between the wings and the main body along a leading edge of the BWB aircraft. The blended wing aircraft additionally comprises a cabin containing a plurality of modular receptacles. A plurality of modules is configured to be removably attached to the plurality of modular receptacles. Additionally, at least a propulsor is mechanically attached to the blended wing body aircraft.