Disposable Glider Fuselage Structural Integrity via Internal Pressurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) lack efficient and cost-effective solutions for maintaining structural integrity during flight and dispersing payloads in extreme environments, particularly in fire-fighting and marine applications, where traditional designs are either too heavy or lack the necessary maneuverability and payload capacity.
Innovation Solution
A disposable unmanned aerial glider (UAG) with a pressurized fuselage module and a modular flight system, allowing for interchangeable fuselage configurations and payload types, featuring a thin-walled container that maintains structural integrity through pressurization and efficient payload dispersion mechanisms, including inflatable and collapsible designs for various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional UAV designs are used for payload delivery in extreme environments, then payload delivery capability is provided, but structural integrity is compromised and material usage is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning the container from an unpressurized to a pressurized state during flight. This pressure parameter change enables the thin-walled container to maintain structural integrity without requiring thick walls, thus reducing material usage while ensuring reliability in extreme environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the container collapsible and configurable between different states (inflated/pressurized and deflated/unpressurized). This dynamic configuration allows the container to adapt its structural properties based on flight requirements, maintaining integrity when needed and reducing material volume when not in use
2Loss of substance
If thin-walled containers are used to reduce material usage, then material costs are reduced, but structural integrity during flight deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by pressurizing the thin-walled container during flight operations. The internal pressure parameter compensates for the reduced wall thickness, enabling the container to maintain structural integrity and withstand flight loads despite using minimal material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using pressurized gas or air within the container to provide structural support. The pneumatic pressure acts as an artificial skeleton, allowing thin-walled construction to achieve the strength of thick-walled structures without the material cost
3Reliability
If pressurized containers are used to maintain structural integrity, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing collapsible and inflatable container structures that can transition between compact and expanded states. This dynamic design allows the container to be easily stored and deployed without requiring complex permanent support structures, balancing structural integrity with simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible shell structures that can be inflated to provide structural rigidity during flight and deflated for compact storage. This approach replaces complex rigid frameworks with simple flexible membranes that gain strength through pressurization, reducing overall device complexity
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 UAG achieves efficient payload delivery and dispersion in extreme conditions, reducing material usage and costs while providing enhanced maneuverability and payload capacity, with the ability to operate in extreme environments and efficiently disperse materials over large areas.
Implementation Method 1
The payload P is received within the thin-walled structure 13 of the fuselage body 12 under a positive pressure so as to facilitate the thin-walled structure 13 to maintain its structural integrity
Implementation Method 2
The payload P is received within the thin-walled structure 13 of the fuselage body 12 under a positive pressure so as to facilitate the thin-walled structure 13 to disperse the payload P over large areas
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable unmanned aerial glider (UAG) with pre-determined UAG flight capabilities. The UAG comprises a flight module comprising at least one aerodynamic arrangement; and a fuselage module comprising a container configured for storing therein a payload and having structural integrity. The container is pressurized so as to maintain structural integrity thereof at least during flight, so that the UAG flight capabilities are provided only when the container is pressurized.