Helicopter Deployable Rail Wheels for Stealth Ground Transit

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Solution Overview

Problem

A stealthy and cost-effective means is needed to quickly move troops within enemy territory, utilizing existing military rotorcraft and existing rail infrastructure for covert access.

Innovation Solution

Equipping a helicopter with deployable legs and rail wheels powered by a quiet battery-powered electric motor to enable it to transition from flight to rail travel on existing railroad tracks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If a helicopter is modified with deployable legs and rail wheels to enable rail travel, then stealthy ground access to enemy territory is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestealth capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The helicopter is divided into functional modules: the main fuselage with rotor system, deployable leg assemblies with rail wheels, and a battery-powered motor system. This segmentation allows the rail travel components to be added as separate modules that can be deployed only when needed, maintaining the helicopter's basic structure while enabling dual functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The leg assemblies with rail wheels are designed to be deployable and retractable rather than fixed. They can be extended when the helicopter needs to travel on rails and retracted when flying, allowing the structure to dynamically adapt to different operational modes and reducing complexity when the rail function is not needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If battery-powered electric motors are used to propel the rail wheels, then detectability is reduced, but power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic signatureVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The conventional combustion engine or turbine propulsion system is replaced with battery-powered electric motors for driving the rail wheels. This substitution eliminates the acoustic signature and exhaust associated with internal combustion engines, providing stealthy operation while the electric motors deliver sufficient torque for rail travel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The power system parameters are changed from continuous high-power combustion engine operation to intermittent electric motor operation. The battery-powered system provides high power when needed for acceleration and maintains lower power consumption during steady-state rail travel, optimizing the energy usage profile for stealth operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of moving object

If the helicopter is converted to a railcar for deep penetration operations, then operational range is improved, but adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational rangeVSAvoidmode flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The helicopter is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in both aerial and ground modes. The same platform can perform reconnaissance, attack, and transport missions in the air, then switch to rail travel for deep penetration operations, maximizing the utility of a single asset across different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Provides stealthy ground access and the ability to move undetected deep into enemy territory, allowing for covert operations and rapid re-deployment as a helicopter.

Implementation Method 1

A motor is connected to at least one rail wheel so that it can be activated to rotate the rail wheel to propel the helicopter on the railroad tracks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy to mechanical energy conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The rail wheels are what ride on the railroad tracks and provide the support needed to maintain the helicopter in position on the railroad tracks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9108479B1Train track enabled helicopter

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 TTEH ASSOC TRUSTEE FOR TRAIN TRACK ENABLED HELICOPTER CRT TRUST

AI summary

A system enables a helicopter to land on and be conveyed on a train track. The system includes the helicopter with extensible legs attached to the helicopter. The legs extend to below the fuselage to a point below the standard landing gear so that they can engage the railroad tracks. There is a rail wheel rotatably attached to the lower end of each leg. The rail wheels are what ride on the railroad tracks and provide the support needed to maintain the helicopter in position on the railroad tracks. A motor is connected to at least one rail wheel so that it can be activated to rotate the rail wheel to propel the helicopter on the railroad tracks. The system may include an adjustment beam to slide two adjacent rail wheels together or apart so as to permit the rail wheels to engage differing railroad tracks.