Inflatable Helicopter Landing Device Using Polymer Textile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Helicopters without emergency floats face challenges in safe landing due to damaged landing gear, and existing solutions like crash cradles are cumbersome and not feasible in all locations, especially in temporary or cramped heliports.
Innovation Solution
A portable, inflatable device with a textile layer covered in polymer for the upper surface, allowing for stable landing without special equipment on the helicopter, featuring interconnected textile walls for stability and ease of transport, and adjustable inflatable pockets for various aircraft profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If emergency floats are integrated into the helicopter, then safe emergency landing is improved, but weight and bulk increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of equipping the helicopter with emergency floats, the invention inverts the approach by placing the emergency reception device on the ground. The ground-based inflatable device provides the emergency landing function while the helicopter remains lightweight and unmodified.
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency landing system is segmented into two independent parts: the helicopter (without added weight) and the ground-based inflatable reception device. This segmentation allows the emergency function to be provided without modifying or adding weight to the helicopter itself.
2Reliability
If ground-based emergency reception spaces with sandbags and pallets are used, then stable helicopter reception is improved, but device complexity and ease of transport deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces rigid sandbags and pallets with flexible inflatable pockets made of thin polymer films. These pockets can be easily stored, transported, and deployed, providing stable reception when inflated while maintaining simplicity in their deflated state.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic inflation to transform the reception device from a compact, transportable state to an expanded, load-bearing state. The inflatable pockets use air pressure to create a stable, cushioned surface for helicopter landing without requiring heavy structural materials.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional crash cradles with sandbags are used, then protection against ground contact is improved, but ease of operation and adaptability to different locations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable pockets provide ground contact protection through flexible polymer films that can be easily deployed and stored. When inflated, they create a protective barrier between the helicopter and ground, eliminating the need for heavy sandbag arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The reception device transitions from a static, bulky configuration to a dynamic, deployable system. The inflatable pockets can be quickly inflated or deflated based on operational needs, providing adaptability to different locations and situations without permanent installation.
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
Enables safe, stable, and damage-limited emergency landings for helicopters without requiring special equipment, facilitating quick deployment and adaptability to different aircraft and locations, while reducing manufacturing costs and weight.
Implementation Method 1
comprising means for introducing a fluid to inflate the main inflatable pocket
Implementation Method 2
protects the textile layer against, for example and in a non-limiting manner, abrasion, UV rays, chemical aggressions
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4B
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention concerns a device (10) for receiving an aircraft, and in particular a helicopter when it lands. The invention is characterised by the fact that the device comprises at least one main inflatable pouch (12, 18) comprising a means (26) for introducing a fluid to inflate the main inflatable pouch and a substantially flat upper wall (14, 20) on which the helicopter comes to rest, said upper wall consisting of at least a textile layer covered with at least one polymer layer.