Ground Effect Flight Vehicle With Rotatable VTOL Cruise Thrust
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amphibious flight vehicles are inefficient, complex, and costly due to their helicopter-like features and rotor systems, limiting their energy efficiency, space usage, and control during flight, while also being restricted by the need for additional engines for cruise flight and limited maximum speed due to the design of thrust vectors.
Innovation Solution
A ground effect vehicle with closable apertures to optimize horizontal cruise flight, rotatable engines for directional airflow, and a controllable thrust diversion mechanism to achieve horizontal thrust vectors, allowing for efficient vertical take-off and landing (VTOL/STOL) capabilities, reduced weight, and simplified control surfaces, enabling operation on various terrains and reducing manufacturing and certification costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle uses a rotor system and additional engines for VTOL and cruise flight, then vertical take-off and landing capability is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines VTOL and cruise flight capabilities into a single integrated wing assembly design. The same wings that provide lift during cruise flight also generate vertical lift during take-off and landing by adjusting their position and angle, eliminating the need for separate rotor systems and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The wing assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides aerodynamic lift during cruise flight, generates vertical lift during VTOL operations, and serves as a structural platform for engine mounting. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall vehicle design
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle uses a rotor system and large opening on main wing, then vertical lift is generated, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wing assembly features dynamic adjustability where the wings can change their position and angle according to flight phase. During VTOL, the wings are positioned to maximize vertical lift generation; during cruise, they are adjusted to optimal aerodynamic angles for energy-efficient forward flight, allowing the same structure to adapt to different operational requirements
3Ease of manufacture
If the vehicle uses fixed thrust vector direction, then engine structure is simplified, but maximum speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The engine assembly is designed with adjustable thrust vector capability. The engines can change their orientation and thrust direction according to flight phase, allowing optimal thrust vectoring for both VTOL and high-speed cruise operations. This dynamic adjustment enables the vehicle to achieve higher maximum speeds while maintaining manageable engine structural complexity
4Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle operates on water surface, then amphibious capability is achieved, but wave impacts affect take-off and landing
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle incorporates a ground effect cushion system that uses pressurized air to create a protective barrier between the vehicle and water surface during take-off and landing. This air cushion absorbs wave impacts and provides a more stable operational environment, allowing the vehicle to maintain amphibious capability while reducing the harmful effects of water surface conditions
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 vehicle achieves improved energy efficiency, reduced complexity and cost, enhanced control, and extended range, allowing operation on diverse terrains and reducing environmental impact, while eliminating wave impacts during take-off and landing.
Implementation Method 1
Air cushion: The lift effect of pressurized air being trapped between a vehicle and the ground/fixed surface.
Implementation Method 2
Ground effect is the phenomenon of air being trapped under a lifting surface during low level flight. As a result of the air cushion created, drag force is reduced and lift is increased with a raise in the overall efficiency of the lifting surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A ground effect flight vehicle comprising,a fuselage (1), a wing assembly (4, 5), an engine assembly comprising one or more engines or engine sets (6, 7, 8), and a hull (2) for enabling floatation of the vehicle; wherein the wing assembly (4, 5) comprises stabilizer wings (4) and/or the one or more engines (6, 7, 8) are equipped to provide an airflow departing from the engines (6, 7, 8) which is positionable in one of multiple positions, a first position of the multiple positions which is arranged to generate lift for vertical take-off purpose, and a second position of the multiple positions which is for horizontal cruise flight.