Folding Vertical Fin with Pyrotechnic Catapult for Ejection Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The vertical fin on aircraft can cause injury to pilots during ejection due to collisions, and existing systems lack effective mechanisms for safely folding and releasing space during emergencies.
Innovation Solution
A folding vertical fin system with an internal pyrotechnic catapult that uses hinges and pyrotechnic catapults to unlock and rotate movable segments, allowing them to fold horizontally, activated by a clinometer and ejection seat handle, utilizing strong carbon fiber materials and mechanisms for rapid deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the vertical fin is made fixed and rigid, then structural strength and stability are improved, but the risk of injury to pilots during ejection increases due to collision with the fin
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical fin is designed with movable segments that can dynamically change position from a fixed state during normal flight to a folded state during ejection emergencies. The fin includes an upper movable segment and lower fixed segment connected by hinges, allowing the fin to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements, thereby maintaining strength during flight while reducing injury risk during ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical fin is divided into multiple segments including an upper movable segment and a lower fixed segment, with additional segmentation of the rudder into first and second segments. This segmentation allows selective folding of specific portions during emergency ejection, enabling the fin to maintain structural integrity during normal operation while allowing controlled movement to clear the pilot's path during ejection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the vertical fin is made movable and foldable, then the risk of injury to pilots during ejection is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The fin employs dynamic mechanisms including hinges connecting movable segments, pyrotechnic catapults for automatic deployment, and clinometers for tilt detection. These dynamic elements enable the fin to automatically transition from fixed to folded state during ejection emergencies, reducing pilot injury risk while managing complexity through automated control rather than manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-activating mechanisms where the clinometer automatically detects aircraft tilt during ejection and triggers the pyrotechnic catapult to fold the fin segments. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention, reducing operational complexity while ensuring reliable automatic response to emergency conditions.
3Speed
If pyrotechnic catapults are used to fold the fin rapidly, then the speed of deployment is improved, but the reliability of the system worsens due to the hazardous nature of pyrotechnic components
Solution Approach 1:
The pyrotechnic catapults are pre-installed and pre-configured within the fin structure, with safety mechanisms and controlled activation systems in place before emergency situations occur. The clinometer and control systems are pre-programmed to activate the catapults only under specific emergency conditions, ensuring rapid deployment when needed while maintaining reliability through controlled, condition-based activation rather than continuous operation.
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
Ensures pilot safety by rapidly releasing the vertical fin's space occupied during emergencies, reducing the risk of collision and enhancing aircraft control and stability through controlled folding and deployment mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
an internal pyrotechnic catapult, with said catapult being configured to unlock-release the hinge pins and move-rotate the movable segments of the fin and vertical rudder relative to the fixed segments thereof
Implementation Method 2
Depending on whether the aircraft is tilted to the left or right side, the clinometer shall activate the corresponding left or right pyrotechnic catapult of the articulation device
Data Source
AI summary
The folding vertical fin (30) adapted for use in aircraft, with its internal pyrotechnic catapult (35) on the fuselage (39) at the tail of a fighter jet (40) and turbo-prop aircraft (41), proposed in the present invention is a fully active system consisting of a fixed segment (2) for attachment onto the fuselage (39) at the tail of the aircraft and a movable segment (3) coupled to the fixed segment (2) by means of an articulation of hinges (25) at the base thereof. Said system has the capacity in an emergency to activate the internal pyrotechnic catapult (35) thereof by means of a radio signal (47a) emitted by the pulling of the ejection initiation handle (47), with said pyrotechnic catapult (35) arranged to move and fold the movable segment (3) in relation to the fixed segment (2), and said movable segment (3) of the vertical fin (30) is folded horizontally at the base thereof on the fuselage (39) at the tail of the aircraft (40), (41) thereby freeing up the volume it occupied prior to activation, resulting in the following:1) survival of the pilots in an emergency.2) reduction in the ejection speed of the seat (44) with its occupant.3) application of the fin (30) to the faster fighter jets of the future.