Flared Guide Section for Drone Recovery System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for recovering or releasing drones from helicopters face challenges such as difficult flight conditions due to air flow disruptions and the need for expensive, bulky control devices, which complicate the process of capturing and re-supplying drones in flight.
Innovation Solution
A recovery system comprising a receiver with a flared guide section and a hook that can be secured to the drone, using reversible magnets and buffer members to stabilize and control the drone's capture, allowing for efficient recovery and release in various flight conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a precise piloting system is equipped on the drone to facilitate recovery in flight, then the reliability of recovery is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator system consisting of the carrier aircraft's detection devices and control system that indirectly guides the drone's approach. Instead of requiring complex piloting on the drone, the carrier aircraft actively detects the drone's position and sends guidance commands, simplifying the drone's equipment while maintaining reliable recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the carrier aircraft continuously detects the drone's position and flight state, then sends real-time guidance commands back to the drone. This closed-loop feedback system enables reliable recovery without requiring complex autonomous piloting systems on the drone itself
2Speed
If the drone is made lighter to improve mobility, then the speed and agility are improved, but the flight path becomes more uncertain in disturbed air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier aircraft acts as an intermediary that compensates for the drone's lightness and susceptibility to air flow disturbances. By actively detecting the drone's position and providing real-time guidance commands, the system maintains flight path stability without requiring the drone to be heavier or more robust
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by having the carrier aircraft detect the drone's position and predict its trajectory in advance, then issue guidance commands before the drone encounters significant disturbances. This proactive control maintains stability for lightweight drones operating in turbulent air flow
3Device complexity
If a simple recovery device is used to reduce cost and complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision of capture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical capture mechanisms with a simplified system using detection devices (optical, radar, or ultrasonic) and electronic guidance. The carrier aircraft detects the drone's position precisely and guides it to the receiver, eliminating the need for complex mechanical aiming and capture devices while maintaining high capture precision
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 system enables reliable and efficient capture and release of drones in flight, overcoming air flow disruptions and reducing the need for expensive control devices, while maintaining operational versatility.
Implementation Method 1
the main rotor of a helicopter is traversed by an airflow, which disrupts flight conditions within the volume of air the helicopter is flying over
Implementation Method 2
using reversible magnets and buffer members to stabilize and control the drone's capture
Implementation Method 3
using reversible magnets and buffer members to stabilize and control the drone's capture
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a recovery system (20) for at least recovering in flight a carrier aircraft (10) from a carrier aircraft (1), the recovery system (20) comprising a receiver (30) adapted to be carried by the carrier aircraft (1) and a catch (50) adapted to be carried by the carrier aircraft (10), said receiver (30) having an internal volume (38) opening to an external medium (EXT) through a passage surface (41), said receiver (30) having a hollow guide section (31), said guide section (31) being flared. Said catch (50) has a flared connection section (51) adapted to be contained at least partially within said internal volume (38), said recovery system (20) comprising a fastening device (60) for reversibly attaching the catch (50) to the receiver (30).