Compressed Fluid Projectile Launcher with Deployable Blade
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing space debris, such as harpooning, face challenges in maintaining harpoon stability in the vacuum of space and can cause trajectory disturbances due to the lack of aerodynamic effects, leading to inefficient and costly solutions.
Innovation Solution
A device for launching a projectile using compressed fluid, featuring a barrel with a connecting device that includes a blade capable of deploying from a wound configuration around a Z-axis to a configuration along an X-axis, allowing the projectile to maintain its trajectory with minimal disturbances, utilizing a mechanical component for rotation around the X-axis and a reservoir for compressed fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a harpoon is launched to tow debris in space, then the debris can be removed from risk zone, but the harpoon cannot maintain stable orientation due to lack of aerodynamic effects in vacuum
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile incorporates a vibration mechanism that generates oscillations during flight. These vibrations create artificial aerodynamic-like effects through the connecting device, enabling orientation control and stability maintenance in the vacuum of space without relying on natural aerodynamic forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting device is designed as a dynamic blade mechanism that can change its configuration during flight. The blade transitions from a wound state around a support to an extended state, and its interaction with the vibrating projectile creates the necessary aerodynamic effects for stable orientation control in vacuum conditions.
2Ease of operation
If a cable is used to link the harpoon to the target object, then the debris can be towed, but the cable can get tangled during storage and unwinding
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device uses a flexible blade instead of a traditional cable. The blade can be wound around a support structure in a compact configuration during storage, then deployed to an extended state during operation. This flexible blade design eliminates tangling issues while maintaining the necessary flexibility for connecting to the target object.
3Volume of moving object
If the connecting device is kept compact during storage, then space is saved, but the blade must be deployed along the trajectory axis which disturbs the projectile trajectory
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration mechanism compensates for the disturbance caused by the blade deployment. By generating controlled oscillations, the system maintains trajectory accuracy even when the blade transitions from wound to extended configuration, ensuring reliable projectile flight path.
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
The device ensures the projectile maintains its trajectory and orientation, preventing unwanted collisions and debris generation, while avoiding tangling issues with the connecting mechanism, thus providing an efficient and safe method for debris removal in space.
Implementation Method 1
a device for launching a projectile by compressed fluid comprising: a barrel having two ends, the projectile being positioned inside the barrel, a first of the two ends allowing the entry of the compressed fluid in the barrel
Implementation Method 2
the end of the first blade is linked to the projectile by a connecting element, and the connecting element is a mechanical component allowing the rotation of the projectile around the X axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a compressed fluid launching device (140) comprising: • a projectile (11), • a barrel (18) having two ends, the projectile (11) being positioned inside the barrel (18), one end allowing the compressed fluid to enter the barrel (18), the other end allowing the projectile to exit, • a compressed fluid reservoir (21) connected to the first end of the barrel (18). According to the invention, it comprises a linkage device including a first blade, capable of moving from a configuration wound around a Z-axis around a support to a configuration deployed along an X-axis substantially perpendicular to the Z-axis, the blade having one end fixed to the projectile (11), and the support being fixed in the barrel (18).