Inverted-Landing UAV for Sensitive Payload Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smaller UAVs face challenges in landing with sensitive payloads that extend below the aircraft, as they are prone to damage from high vibration and impact loads, and existing solutions like parachute landings lack precision and require skilled operation.
Innovation Solution
The development of an unmanned aircraft system that can invert its orientation during flight, allowing for controlled descent and landing without damaging delicate payloads, using a remote-control station with an auto-land function and dual camera systems for navigation, and landing gear positioned for inverted landings to cushion the impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the payload extends below the fuselage for maximum viewing, then the reconnaissance capability is improved, but the payload is exposed to high vibration and impact loads during landing
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft is configured to land in an inverted orientation, which reverses the conventional landing posture. This inversion allows the payload to extend below the fuselage for optimal reconnaissance viewing while the aircraft lands on its upper surface, keeping the payload away from direct ground contact and reducing exposure to impact loads and vibration during landing
2Strength
If standard landing gear is used for larger UAVs, then structural support is provided, but the landing gear configuration may not be appropriate for smaller UAVs with limited ground space
Solution Approach 1:
The landing gear is configured to support inverted landings, allowing the aircraft to land on its upper surface rather than its lower surface. This inversion enables the aircraft to land in confined spaces such as rooftops and urban environments where conventional landing gear would not be suitable, while still providing adequate structural support through the inverted landing configuration
3Reliability
If a parachute is used for landing, then landing loads are reduced, but precision and control are lost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a parachute to reduce landing loads, the aircraft uses its inverted landing capability to land on its upper surface with controlled impact. This approach maintains precision and control throughout the landing process while still protecting the payload by keeping it away from direct ground contact, eliminating the need to surrender flight control that occurs with parachute deployment
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft defining an upright orientation and an inverted orientation, a ground station; and a control system for remotely controlling the flight of the aircraft. The ground station has an auto-land function that causes the aircraft to invert, stall, and controllably land in the inverted orientation to protect a payload and a rudder extending down from the aircraft. In the upright orientation, the ground station depicts the view from a first aircraft camera. When switching to the inverted orientation: (1) the ground station depicts the view from a second aircraft camera, (2) the aircraft switches the colors of red and green wing lights, extends the ailerons to act as inverted flaps, and (3) the control system adapts a ground station controller for the inverted orientation. The aircraft landing gear is an expanded polypropylene pad located above the wing when the aircraft is in the upright orientation.