Flexible Wing Dual Air Inlet System for Low Wind Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traction wings face challenges in inflating efficiently in low wind conditions, leading to significant effort requirements and potential entanglement issues due to insufficient inflation, which affects the wing's stiffness and aerodynamic performance.
Innovation Solution
A flexible wing design incorporating both passive and active air inlets, along with a non-return device and a fan-based inflation system, ensures optimal inflation and rigidity regardless of external wind conditions, using a passive air inlet for natural inflation and an active air inlet with a fan to supplement airflow when necessary, while a non-return device prevents air leaks and maintains internal pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If only a passive air inlet is used for wing inflation, then the structure remains simple and energy consumption is low, but the wing fails to inflate sufficiently in low wind conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet system is designed to perform multiple functions: it operates as a passive inlet during normal conditions and as an active inlet when coupled with the inflation device during low wind conditions, allowing the same structural component to adapt to different operational requirements
2Reliability
If an active inflation device is used to ensure sufficient wing inflation, then the wing maintains optimal rigidity and shape, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The inflation device operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when pressure sensors detect insufficient inflation pressure, and remaining inactive when optimal pressure is maintained, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while ensuring reliable inflation
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure sensors provide continuous feedback on the internal pressure of the wing boxes to the control unit, which automatically activates or deactivates the inflation device based on the detected pressure levels, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes energy usage
3Use of energy by moving object
If the wing inflates slowly in low wind conditions, then energy consumption is reduced, but the wing becomes entangled and loses aerodynamic efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own resources (wind pressure detected by sensors) to trigger the inflation device activation, allowing the wing to self-regulate its inflation process without external intervention, activating the inflation device only when naturally insufficient pressure is detected
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 wing achieves reliable and energy-efficient inflation, maintaining optimal shape and stability during deployment, flight, and recovery, reducing energy consumption and minimizing the risk of entanglement and air leaks.
Implementation Method 1
configured to allow air circulation from the outside to the interior volume of the wing when the interior pressure is lower than the exterior pressure in front of the passive air inlet and to prohibit air circulation from the interior volume of the wing to the outside via said passive air inlet when the interior pressure is higher than the exterior pressure
Implementation Method 2
at least one active inflation device configured to inject air from the exterior, having an exterior pressure, into the interior volume of the wing structure via the active air inlet
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a flexible wing (100) comprising a canopy (1) and a plurality of guys (2) connected to the canopy (1), said canopy (1) comprising an upper wall (11) and a lower wall (12), defining an inner volume, at least one active air inlet (3) and at least one active inflation device (30) configured to inject air from the outside into the inner volume via the active air inlet (3). The wing (100) is noteworthy in that the canopy (1) comprises at least one passive air inlet (4) and at least one non-return device (40) configured to allow air to circulate from the outside to the inner volume of the canopy (1) when the inside pressure is lower than the outside pressure and to prevent air from circulating between the inner volume of the canopy (1) and the outside when the inside pressure is greater than the outside pressure.