Extendable Wing Spar Assembly for Crosswind-Stable Drone Landing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drones with fixed-length wings face limitations in aerodynamic efficiency, maneuverability, and stability due to rigid wing structures, which affect their suitability for various mission requirements and increase destabilizing forces during landing.

Innovation Solution

An extendable spar system that allows the wing surfaces to be modified, increasing lift and aerodynamic performance while minimizing crosswind forces by retracting to reduce the aircraft's footprint for landing and takeoff in confined spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed-length wings are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but aerodynamic efficiency and maneuverability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic efficiencyVSAvoidwing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wing structure transitions from a fixed, static configuration to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. The extendable spar allows the wing span to change between retracted and extended states, enabling the aircraft to adapt its aerodynamic characteristics to different flight conditions and mission requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wing is divided into modular components including the fixed first spar member, the extendable second spar member, and multiple wing-skin sections. This segmentation allows independent movement and adjustment of the second spar member relative to the first, enabling variable wing configurations without requiring complete wing redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If long wings are used, then aerodynamic efficiency for long distance flights is improved, but maneuverability and speed are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic efficiencyVSAvoidforward flight speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The wing span is made dynamically adjustable to match different flight phases. During high-speed forward flight, the wings are retracted to reduce drag and improve maneuverability. During long-distance cruising, the wings are extended to maximize aerodynamic efficiency and lift generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If pivotable wings are rotated horizontally for forward flight, then forward thrust is enabled, but surface area exposed to crosswinds increases during landing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforward flight capabilityVSAvoidcrosswind forces

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wing configuration is dynamically adjusted based on flight phase. During landing approaches in crosswinds, the wings are retracted to minimize the surface area exposed to crosswind forces, reducing destabilizing moments and improving landing accuracy. The horizontal thrusters provide the necessary forward thrust without requiring wing rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If fixed-length wings are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but positional accuracy during landing is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewing structureVSAvoidpositional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The extendable spar system allows real-time adjustment of wing span to optimize landing characteristics. By retracting the wings before landing, the aircraft minimizes crosswind exposure and reduces the moment arm for any destabilizing forces, thereby improving positional accuracy and reducing drift during the critical landing phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 extendable spar system enhances aerodynamic performance, maneuverability, and stability by providing variable wing profiles that adapt to different mission parameters, improving positional accuracy and reducing the risk of excessive drifting during landing.

Implementation Method 1

The extendable spar may be extended, in part or in whole, to increase wing surfaces that contribute to lift, increasing aerodynamic performance of an aircraft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic lift: Aerofoil

Implementation Method 2

the extendable spar may be retracted (or consolidated) to minimize crosswind forces against the aircraft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosswind force reduction: Drag

Data Source

PatentUS12534183B2Extendable wing

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

An aircraft wing apparatus includes a plurality of wing-skin sections, an extendable spar assembly, and a controller. The plurality of wing-skin sections includes a first wing-skin section and a second wing-skin section. The extendable spar assembly includes a first spar member coupled with the first wing-skin section and a second spar member coupled with the second wing-skin section. The controller is constructed and arranged to move the second spar member to predefined positions relative to the first spar member to place the plurality of wing-skin sections into predefined configurations. The predefined configurations including a stowed configuration, a first deployed configuration, and a second deployed position that is different from the first deployed position.