Deployable Rotor Assemblies for Compact UAV Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are not compact or durable enough for transport in rugged terrain, lack stability at altitude, and are prone to damage during transport due to exposed rotor assemblies, making them unsuitable for rescue and military missions in challenging environments.
Innovation Solution
A portable, unmanned aerial craft with movably supported thruster assemblies that can be deployed and stowed within a compact airframe, using articulation, telescoping, or folding mechanisms to protect the rotors during transport and provide stability in flight, featuring a modular payload for navigation and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rotor assemblies are exposed for flight operation, then the aircraft can achieve stable flight and maneuverability, but the rotors are susceptible to damage and snagging during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor assemblies are designed to be movable between deployed and retracted positions. During flight, rotors are deployed for stable operation; during transport, rotors are retracted into the airframe to prevent damage. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor assemblies are nested within the airframe structure when not in use. The rotors can be stored inside the fuselage or integrated into the body structure, protecting them from external damage during transport while allowing full deployment when needed for flight.
2Reliability
If the aircraft is designed with large rotor assemblies for stable flight, then flight stability is improved, but the aircraft cannot be packaged in a compact configuration for transport
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft structure incorporates movable components that allow compact configuration during transport and full configuration during flight. The rotors and support structures can be folded, retracted, or repositioned to minimize the aircraft's external dimensions for portability while maintaining full operational capability when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft is divided into modular segments that can be reconfigured. The rotor assemblies are separate from the main airframe, allowing them to be stowed independently within the fuselage or integrated into the body structure, enabling compact transport packaging.
3Volume of moving object
If collapsible rotor assemblies are used to reduce transport size, then compact packaging is achieved, but the aircraft lacks sufficient power and stability at altitude
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor assemblies are designed to be fully functional when deployed, not permanently collapsed. The collapsible feature only applies during stowage, allowing the rotors to achieve their full operational size and power capacity during flight, ensuring sufficient thrust and stability at altitude.
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft is prepared in a compact configuration for transport to the deployment location. Upon arrival, the rotor assemblies are quickly deployed to their full operational size before flight, ensuring that the aircraft has adequate power and performance capability when needed without compromising transportability.
4Ease of operation
If body-mounted rotors with foldable blades are used, then transportability is improved, but the aircraft is still susceptible to snag damage and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of foldable blades that remain exposed, the rotor assemblies are completely nested within the airframe during transport. The rotors are stored inside the fuselage or integrated into the body structure, eliminating external protrusions that could snag on obstacles during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor assemblies transition from a completely enclosed, protected state during transport to a fully deployed, functional state during flight. This dynamic reconfiguration ensures the rotors are protected from snag damage when not in use while maintaining full operational capability when deployed.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable multithruster unmanned aircraft for search and rescue missions, including avalanche beacon position/detection, as well as military field operations such as “forward observer” deployment is disclosed. In one aspect, the aircraft includes four rotor assemblies, housed in cowlings, deployably stowed in a cylindrical airframe to present a smooth surface for portability in tight quarters, such as a backpack, duffle bag or the like. The rotor assemblies, upon activation, are deployed by mechanical or electromechanical means to operating, flight ready position, exterior the airframe through slots in the skin of the airframe or by unfolding the hinged cowlings nested within the airframe. In one aspect, four deployed rotor assemblies are quadrantally positioned about the airframe, preferably in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical axis of the airframe. A payload, including a power source, is contained within the cylindrical airframe for operation, including navigation. In another aspect, three deployed rotor assemblies are equilaterally positioned about the airframe, preferably in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical axis of the airframe.