Passive Wing Deployment Mechanism for Lightweight ALE Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air launched effects (ALE) systems rely on heavy actuators and motors for wing deployment, which increase weight and reduce available space for payloads, and require complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A spring-based mechanism with a rotational joint and hub assembly is used to passively deploy wings, eliminating the need for heavy actuators and reducing complexity by utilizing lightweight components and low-friction bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heavy actuators and motors are used for wing deployment, then reliable wing deployment is achieved, but weight increases and payload space decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy electric actuators and motors with a passive mechanical deployment mechanism using springs, levers, and shape memory alloy actuators. This substitution eliminates complex electrical systems while achieving reliable wing deployment through purely mechanical means, significantly reducing weight and freeing up payload space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs shape memory alloy actuators that change their physical properties (phase transformation) in response to temperature changes. This parameter change enables compact actuation without heavy motors, as the material itself transforms from austenite to martensite phase to drive wing deployment, reducing overall system weight while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If heavy actuators and motors are used for wing deployment, then wing deployment is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing electric actuators with a passive mechanical system using springs and shape memory alloys, the patent simplifies manufacturing processes. The mechanical components can be produced using traditional aerospace manufacturing techniques, avoiding complex electrical assembly, wiring, and control system integration, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining deployment reliability.
3Ease of operation
If complex deployment mechanisms are used, then wing deployment control is precise, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes complex electrical control systems, motors, and sensors from the deployment mechanism. By using passive mechanical elements like springs and shape memory alloys that inherently provide controlled deployment through their physical properties, the system achieves precise wing deployment control without the need for complex electronic control circuits, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployment mechanism uses shape memory alloy actuators that automatically respond to temperature changes and mechanical triggers without requiring external electrical control signals. The springs and mechanical linkages self-regulate the deployment sequence, providing precise control through inherent mechanical properties rather than complex electronic control systems, thereby reducing device complexity.
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 enables lightweight, cost-effective wing deployment with reduced volume requirements, freeing up space for payloads and simplifying manufacturing, while maintaining aerodynamic performance.
Implementation Method 1
a spring to urge the wing to move relative to the fuselage when the aircraft is launched from a host
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for wing deployment in air launched effects systems are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus for deploying a wing for an aircraft includes a rotational joint at a fuselage of the aircraft, a spring having a first end and a second end, and a hub defined by or operatively coupled to the wing, the hub operatively coupled to the first end of the spring, the second end of the spring operatively coupled to the fuselage, the spring to urge the wing to move relative to the fuselage when the aircraft is launched from a host.