Parasail-Assisted Launch for Fixed-Wing Aircraft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft systems require long runways for take-off and landing, limiting their operational locations, and hovering aircraft are wind-susceptible and unsuitable for small ship decks, necessitating a solution for launching and retrieving fixed-wing aircraft from restricted spaces.

Innovation Solution

A parasail-assisted system using winches and flexible members to launch and retrieve fixed-wing aircraft, featuring a modular aircraft-launch apparatus that attaches to the aircraft, utilizing a parasail with ballast for stability and a multicopter for retrieval, enabling operation from moving objects like ships without the need for extensive runways.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed-wing aircraft use long runways for take-off and landing, then they achieve efficient cruising flight, but they cannot operate from locations with limited space such as ships at sea

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational location flexibilityVSAvoidrunway length

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A parasail acts as an intermediary device between the ship and the fixed-wing aircraft. The parasail is deployed from the ship, and the aircraft is attached to it, allowing the aircraft to be launched into the air without requiring a long runway on the ship. The parasail mediates the transition from the confined ship deck to open aerial space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions the aircraft launch from a horizontal plane (runway on ship deck) to a vertical dimension by deploying the parasail upward into the air. This dimensional change allows the aircraft to gain altitude and achieve flight capability without requiring extended horizontal space on the ship.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If hovering aircraft are used for operations from limited spaces, then they eliminate runway requirements, but they become more wind susceptible and require large spinning blades that are unwelcome on small ship decks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation from limited spacesVSAvoidwind susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed-wing aircraft serves multiple functions: it can operate from limited spaces like ship decks using the parasail launch system, and it maintains the efficiency of conventional cruising flight. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized hovering aircraft while achieving the goal of operating from confined spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The parasail serves as a mediator that enables conventional fixed-wing aircraft to operate from limited spaces without exposing them to the harmful wind effects that plague hovering aircraft. The parasail provides a stable launch platform that protects the aircraft from direct wind interference during the critical take-off phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If parasail-assisted launch system is used, then fixed-wing aircraft can be launched from limited spaces, but the system requires winches and complex apparatus attachment to the aircraft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaunch from limited spacesVSAvoidlaunch apparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The launch system is segmented into separate functional components: the parasail itself, the winch system on the ship, and the attachment mechanism on the aircraft. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system by distributing complexity across separate elements rather than requiring a monolithic complex apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 the launch and retrieval of fixed-wing aircraft from limited spaces, such as ships, without the need for long runways, providing a stable and efficient method for take-off and landing, while minimizing wind susceptibility and deck space requirements.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic lift: Aerofoil

Implementation Method 2

systems and methods for retrieving fixed-wing aircraft from free, wing-borne flight using a multicopter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic thrust: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentUS11667398B2Multicopter-assisted systems and methods for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft into and from free flight

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 HOOD TECHNOLOGY CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure presents various embodiments of a system for retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft from free flight using a flexible capture member. The system includes a GPS reference sensor and a communication link to guide the fixed-wing aircraft to intercept the flexible capture member.