Electromagnetic Catapult for Aircraft Takeoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large airports in densely populated areas face constraints in expanding capacity due to land, runway, and airspace limitations, leading to increased economic costs and reduced air travel efficiency, as well as environmental and noise concerns.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical thrust assembly that uses ground-based energy, including a sled and electromagnetic catapult, to accelerate aircraft during takeoff, reducing the need for long runways and minimizing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If aircraft use traditional engine-powered takeoff, then they can achieve sufficient thrust for heavy weight classes, but they require longer runways and occupy the runway longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ground-based electromagnetic propulsion with aircraft engines to provide combined thrust during takeoff. The electromagnetic catapult system and linear induction motor work together with aircraft engines to accelerate heavy aircraft to takeoff velocity over a shorter distance, resolving the contradiction between needing high thrust for heavy weight classes and minimizing runway length occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical engine-powered acceleration with an electromagnetic propulsion system for the takeoff phase. The electromagnetic catapult and linear induction motor provide ground-based electromagnetic propulsion that substitutes for pure engine-powered mechanical acceleration, enabling shorter takeoff runs while maintaining sufficient thrust for heavy aircraft.
2Productivity
If airports add additional runways or extend existing runways to increase capacity, then they can accommodate more aircraft, but they require additional land acquisition or extending land into surrounding waters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of takeoff acceleration by introducing ground-based electromagnetic propulsion. This enables aircraft to achieve takeoff velocity over a shorter distance without requiring additional runway length or land area, thereby increasing airport capacity while maintaining the same physical footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of electromagnetic propulsion that operates parallel to traditional engine power. This additional propulsion dimension enables shorter takeoff runs and faster acceleration, allowing airports to handle more aircraft within the same land area by reducing the time and space each aircraft occupies during takeoff.
3Quantity of substance
If larger aircraft are used to increase passenger and freight capacity, then they can carry more mass, but they weigh more and produce larger wakes, potentially offsetting increased throughput with longer time slots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pure engine-powered takeoff with electromagnetic propulsion for heavy aircraft. The electromagnetic catapult and linear induction motor provide ground-based acceleration that is more efficient for heavy weight classes, reducing takeoff time and allowing larger aircraft to be accommodated without proportionally increasing time slot duration.
4Speed
If aircraft accelerate using onboard engines alone, then they can achieve takeoff velocity, but they consume more fuel and produce more noise and pollution in densely populated areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces onboard engine-powered acceleration with ground-based electromagnetic propulsion during the takeoff phase. The electromagnetic catapult and linear induction motor accelerate aircraft using electrical energy from the ground, eliminating or reducing the need for fuel combustion during takeoff, thereby reducing noise and pollution in densely populated areas while still achieving required takeoff velocity.
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
Increases airport throughput by allowing shorter takeoff lengths, reducing taxi times, and decreasing fuel consumption while minimizing noise and pollution, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and capacity without requiring additional land or airspace.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic catapult, which can be activated in a sequence to propel the sled along the desired path
Implementation Method 2
The sled can be levitated above the ground surface using magnetic forces generated by a high-density permanent magnet array
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for ground-based aircraft thrust systems are provided. A sled can be adapted to support at least wings and a fuselage of an aircraft. A guideway can be configured to receive the sled and move the sled along the guideway for assisted takeoff of the aircraft. A magnetic propulsion system can be configured to levitate the sled and propel the sled along the guideway independent of thrust provided by the aircraft.