Shape Morphing Fuselage for Aerocar Wing Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roadable aircraft, or aerocars, face design tradeoffs between land and flight modes, with wing storage causing damage, reducing fuel economy, and limiting operator views in land mode, due to the physical constraints of folding wings against the fuselage.
Innovation Solution
A shape morphing fuselage constructed with flexible frame members and tensile skin that transitions between land and flight modes by expanding to store wings internally in land mode and contracting to improve flight characteristics in flight mode, using an actuation system to bend flexible frame members and pivot a hatch for wing deployment and retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wings are folded against the fuselage in land mode, then the aerocar can be driven on the road, but the wings are subject to damage and fuel economy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wings are nested within the fuselage interior space during land mode operation. The fuselage is designed with an expanded configuration that provides sufficient internal volume to accommodate the wings in a stored position, protecting them from external damage while maintaining the aerocar's road-going capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuselage transitions between expanded and contracted configurations dynamically. In land mode, the fuselage is in an expanded state that accommodates wing storage; in flight mode, it contracts to a streamlined shape. This dynamic transformation allows the wings to be protected during ground operations while enabling optimal aerodynamic performance during flight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wings are folded against the fuselage in land mode, then the aerocar can be driven on the road, but operator aft and side views are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wings are stored within the fuselage's expanded interior space rather than being folded outward. This nesting approach keeps the wings contained while preserving unobstructed views for the operator during land mode operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuselage's dynamic expansion and contraction allows it to provide sufficient interior volume for wing storage in land mode without creating external protrusions that would block operator visibility. The streamlined contracted configuration is achieved only during flight mode when visibility requirements are different.
3Reliability
If fuselage is expanded to store wings internally in land mode, then wings are protected from damage, but the fuselage area is increased reducing fuel economy
Solution Approach 1:
The fuselage dynamically changes its configuration based on operational mode. During land mode, it expands to provide interior space for wing storage, protecting the wings from damage. During flight mode, it contracts to a streamlined, compact configuration that minimizes drag and optimizes fuel efficiency. This dynamic transformation allows the system to achieve both wing protection and fuel economy at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuselage parameters (volume, cross-sectional area, length) are changed based on operational requirements. In land mode, the fuselage volume is increased to accommodate wings; in flight mode, the volume is reduced to optimize aerodynamic efficiency. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction between needing space for wing storage and maintaining fuel efficiency.
4Shape
If fuselage is contracted to improve flight characteristics in flight mode, then lift is improved and drag is reduced, but internal space for wing storage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fuselage configuration is dynamic rather than static. It contracts to an aerodynamically optimized shape during flight mode to improve lift and reduce drag. It expands to provide interior storage space during land mode when wings need to be accommodated. The temporal separation of these requirements allows the fuselage to optimize for aerodynamics during flight without permanently sacrificing storage capacity.
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 solution protects wings from damage, enhances fuel economy in land mode, and improves lift and reduces drag in flight mode by allowing wings to be stored internally and deployed perpendicularly, while maintaining operator views and facilitating efficient flight operations.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of flexible frame members and tensile skin have a contracted configuration associated with a flight mode and an expanded configuration associated with a land mode
Data Source
AI summary
A shape morphing fuselage and method of transitioning an aerocar from a land mode to a flight mode are disclosed. The fuselage includes a plurality of flexible frame members and tensile skin extending between the plurality of flexible frame members as well as an actuation system configured to bend the plurality of flexible frame members between a contracted configuration associated with a flight mode and an expanded configuration associated with a land mode. The fuselage can also include a hatch pivotable about an axis of one of the flexible frame members in the expanded configuration and configured to open for deployment and retraction of wings for the aerocar.