Parasite Aircraft Airborne Retrieval via Cable Capture Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Historically, launching and retrieving parasite aircraft from a carrier aircraft has required bulky attachment systems that lack precision and efficiency, particularly in flight, due to the need for large carrier aircraft to support the power requirements, which adds weight, complexity, and expense.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a maneuverable capture device with rotors and cables that can be secured to a parasite aircraft, allowing for precise deployment and retrieval without the need for the parasite aircraft to have its own vertical take-off and landing capabilities, enabling efficient airborne deployment and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional attachment systems (latches, scaffoldings, arms) are used to secure the parasite aircraft to the carrier aircraft, then the parasite aircraft can be attached and retrieved, but the attachment system becomes bulky and lacks the ability to precisely retrieve the parasite aircraft during flight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical attachment systems (latches, scaffoldings, arms) with a cable-based maneuverable capture device. The capture device uses cables under tension to precisely position and retrieve the parasite aircraft, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical structures while enabling precise retrieval during flight.
2Power
If the carrier aircraft is made much larger to support the power requirements for launching the parasite aircraft, then the parasite aircraft can be launched, but the carrier aircraft's weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heavy power and propulsion systems from the parasite aircraft, allowing it to be launched without requiring the carrier aircraft to be much larger. The parasite aircraft uses its own propulsion system after launch, and the carrier aircraft only needs to provide minimal power for the capture device and positioning, significantly reducing the carrier's weight requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the parasite aircraft is equipped with its own vertical take-off and landing capabilities, then it can deploy and retrieve independently, but the parasite aircraft's weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a carrier aircraft as an intermediary that provides the vertical take-off and landing capabilities. The parasite aircraft itself remains lightweight without VTOL systems, while the carrier aircraft handles all vertical movement, positioning, and retrieval operations through its maneuverable capture device and cable system.
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
This solution reduces the weight and complexity of the parasite aircraft, enhances safety by minimizing collision risks during mating, and allows for efficient vertical deployment and retrieval, improving overall mission efficiency by eliminating the need for vertical take-off systems.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor assembly including a hub and a plurality of rotor blades rotatably mounted to the hub; wherein the rotor assembly is configured to generate lift and thrust to enable vertical take-off, hovering, and controlled descent
Data Source
AI summary
A parasite aircraft for airborne deployment and retrieve includes a wing; a fuselage rotatably mounted to the wing; a dock disposed on top of the fuselage and configured to receive a maneuverable capture device of a carrier aircraft; a pair of tail members extending from the fuselage; and a plurality of landing gear mounted to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for flight includes unfolding an end portion of a wing; unfolding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft; and rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft so that the fuselage is perpendicular to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for storage includes rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft to be parallel with a wing of the parasite aircraft; folding an end portion of the wing; and folding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft.