Helicopter Dual Fuel Cell Layout for Center of Mass Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional helicopters face challenges in achieving faster speeds and longer ranges due to issues with aerodynamic stability, center of mass displacement, and the need for spacious cabins, which are exacerbated by varying fuel loads and passenger configurations, leading to inefficiencies and increased power requirements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual fuel cell system, where a primary and secondary fuel cell are positioned differently along the helicopter's longitudinal axis, allowing for adjustable center of mass balancing through varying fuel distribution, with the secondary fuel cell positioned forward to counteract shifts in the center of mass caused by changing loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional injection molding machine is used to mold resin pellets in a single large cavity, then the molding capacity is sufficient, but the cycle time is excessively long and productivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single large cavity into multiple smaller cavities within the same mold. This allows multiple resin pellets to be molded simultaneously in parallel, reducing the cycle time while maintaining the total molding capacity. The segmented cavities enable batch processing of multiple units in one injection cycle.
2Productivity
If the mold is divided into multiple cavities to reduce cycle time, then productivity improves, but the complexity of the mold and injection system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal injection system that can serve multiple cavities simultaneously. The single injection nozzle and control system are designed to distribute resin and control injection parameters for all cavities in unison, reducing the need for separate injection systems for each cavity while still enabling parallel molding.
3Productivity
If multiple cavities are used to increase productivity, then output per cycle increases, but ensuring uniform mass distribution and molding quality across all cavities becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality control by positioning cavities at specific locations within the mold that are equidistant from the injection nozzle. This geometric arrangement ensures that resin flows uniformly to each cavity, maintaining consistent injection pressure and temperature conditions across all cavities, thereby ensuring uniform molding quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors and control systems that monitor injection parameters and mass distribution in real-time across all cavities. This feedback mechanism allows for dynamic adjustment of injection parameters to maintain uniform quality standards across all cavities, compensating for any variations in the molding process.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a helicopter having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis and a vertical axis, a helicopter centre of mass and a maximum gross mass of less than 5000kg, the helicopter comprising a fuselage elongate along the longitudinal axis, the fuselage comprising an aerodynamically shaped shell defining a front, a rear, a top and a bottom of the fuselage and a passenger cabin therein having two forward-facing front seating positions for the pilot and a co-pilot or a passenger, and forward-facing rear seating positions for at least 2 passengers, optionally 3 passengers; a primary fuel cell mounted substantially behind the passenger cabin; the front seating position for the pilot having a centre of mass at a first location substantially in front of the rotor hub location, and the primary fuel cell having a centre of mass at a second location substantially behind the rotor hub location; a landing gear arrangement; a power plant mounted substantially above and behind the passenger cabin, wherein the primary fuel cell is arranged to provide fuel to the power plant; and a secondary fuel cell having a centre of mass at a nose location in front of the rotor hub location by at least 1500mm.