Multi-mode Unmanned Vehicle Payload Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional unmanned vehicle designs are limited to specific environments and tasks, facing challenges in payload integration, sensor ruggedness, data transmission, and command and control systems, which restrict their operational capabilities in multi-mode environments.
Innovation Solution
The development of a multi-mode unmanned vehicle system with an aerohydrodynamically configured body, capable of operating in air, on water, and underwater, featuring hybrid propulsion, ballast, center of gravity, pressurization, and communication systems, along with off-board command and control systems for autonomous operation and payload management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional unmanned vehicle designs are used for specific environments, then vehicle performance in that environment is optimized, but operational versatility across multiple environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal payload integration system with standardized mechanical, electrical, and data interfaces that enables a single unmanned vehicle platform to operate reliably across multiple environments (air, water, land) while maintaining optimized performance in each environment through modular payload configurations
2Reliability
If individual sensor integration is performed for each payload, then sensor-specific requirements are met, but integration time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal standardized interfaces including mechanical mounting patterns, electrical connectors, and data communication protocols that allow different sensor payloads to be integrated rapidly while meeting their specific operational requirements through configuration rather than custom integration
Solution Approach 2:
The payload integration system pre-defines standardized interface specifications and mounting configurations before actual payload integration, allowing rapid deployment of sensors without time-consuming custom integration work for each payload type
3Productivity
If sensors are selected for specific task optimization, then task performance is improved, but ruggedness for multi-mode environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the sensor payload from the vehicle platform, allowing specialized sensors optimized for specific tasks to be mounted on the standardized payload interface while the rugged vehicle platform provides environmental protection and operational flexibility across multiple modes
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized payload integration system allows task-optimized sensors to be rapidly swapped between different vehicle platforms and operational modes, with the universal interface ensuring reliable connection while the sensors maintain their specialized performance characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and associated methods for rapid integration and control of payloads carried by a multi-mode unmanned vehicle configured to accommodate a variety of payloads of varying size, shape, and interface and control characteristics. Mechanical, power, signal, and logical interfaces to a variety of payloads operate to enable environmental protection, efficient placement and connection to the vehicle, and control of those payloads in multiple environmental modes as well as operational modes (including in air, on the surface of water surface, and underwater).