Deployable Net Capture System for UAV Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for destroying miniature unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) carrying hazardous payloads can inadvertently disperse chemical or biological agents, posing a risk of collateral damage and mission failure, as they do not effectively neutralize or contain the threat without causing further harm.
Innovation Solution
A deployable net capture system integrated with a UAV that deploys a net with a large cross-sectional area using either rigid rods or an inflatable frame to entangle and capture threat UAVs, allowing for non-destructive interception and containment, thereby preventing payload dispersal and enabling safe neutralization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional destruction methods are used on threat UAVs, then the UAV is eliminated, but the hazardous payload may be dispersed causing collateral damage
Solution Approach 1:
The net capture system extracts the threat UAV from the environment by entangling it in a net, separating it from its potential to disperse payload. The net physically confines the UAV without destroying it, preventing payload release while neutralizing the threat through containment rather than destruction
Solution Approach 2:
The net acts as an intermediary mechanism between the threat UAV and complete destruction. Instead of directly destroying the UAV, the net provides a intermediate containment state that neutralizes the threat while avoiding the harmful effect of payload dispersal associated with direct destruction methods
2Area of stationary object
If a large cross-sectional area net is deployed to intercept threat UAVs, then interception effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The net is configured in a nested or folded state during storage, similar to a nested doll structure. This allows a large cross-sectional area net to be compacted into a small package that can be stored on the UAV, and then deployed to its full size during interception operations
Solution Approach 2:
The net deployment system transitions from a static compact storage state to a dynamic deployed state. The net is designed to expand from a small stored configuration to a large intercept configuration through mechanical deployment mechanisms, allowing the system to achieve large intercept area without permanently occupying the space
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for use as part of, or attached to, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to intercept and entangle a threat unmanned aerial vehicle, includes a flight and payload control system for controlling power to the UAV and for controlling maneuvering of the UAV. A host-side mount may be coupled to the UAV and is in communication with the flight and payload control system. A payload-side mount is removably attached to the host-side mount and includes a power interface and a control interface between the payload-side mount and the host-side mount. A counter-UAV system is coupled to the payload-side mount and includes a deployable chute net having a cross-sectional area sized for intercepting and entangling the threat unmanned aerial vehicle; and a deployment mechanism for mounting to the unmanned aerial vehicle.