Programmable Surface Cells for Variable Span and Thrust Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft and marine vessels have fixed sizes that do not precisely match mission payloads, leading to inefficiencies in cargo space, drag, and structural support, and lack flexible control surfaces for precise direction and orientation.
Innovation Solution
A programmable surface composed of an array of cells that can communicate, compute, and generate thrust, allowing for variable module configurations and flexible interconnections to adjust thrust vectors for lift, direction, and angular control, eliminating the need for traditional control surfaces and structural elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed-size aircraft and marine vessels are used, then structural support and control surfaces are simplified, but the craft size cannot precisely match mission payloads leading to inefficiencies in cargo space, drag, and structural support
Solution Approach 1:
The craft is divided into multiple modular cells that can be independently controlled and configured. Each cell contains its own thrust generators, sensors, and computational units, allowing the overall craft structure to be segmented into functional units that can be dynamically reconfigured based on mission requirements, thereby achieving size adaptability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The craft transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic reconfigurable system where cells can change their operational state, thrust output, and interconnections in real-time. This dynamic capability allows the craft to adapt its effective size and shape during flight or operation to precisely match varying payload requirements, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity through intelligent control
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional fixed control surfaces are used, then the control system is simpler, but precise direction and angular orientation control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniform control surfaces, each cell in the array possesses unique local capabilities with independently controllable thrust generators. This local quality differentiation allows precise directional control by activating specific cells with specific thrust vectors, enabling high-precision orientation control while managing complexity through distributed rather than centralized control architecture
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical control surfaces (ailerons, elevators, rudders) are replaced with a distributed array of electronically controlled thrust generators. This substitution uses electronic control and software algorithms instead of complex mechanical linkages, achieving superior precision in direction and angular orientation control while actually reducing mechanical complexity through electrification and digital control
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular cells with flexible interconnections are used, then span on demand and scaling are enabled, but the interconnection structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Each cell is designed with universal interfaces and standardized connection protocols that enable any cell to connect with any other cell in multiple configurations. This universality allows the same modular cell design to be used in various array patterns and configurations without requiring different connection hardware for each configuration, reducing interconnection complexity while maximizing module configurability
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages interconnection complexity by dynamically changing operational parameters (thrust magnitude, direction, frequency) rather than physically reconfiguring the entire structure. Cells can alter their thrust vector parameters to achieve different effective configurations and spans, allowing span-on-demand capability through parameter adjustment rather than complex physical reassembly
Data Source
AI summary
In exemplary embodiments of this invention, a programmable surface comprises an array of cells. Each of the cells can communicate electronically with adjacent cells in the array, can compute, and can generate either normal thrust or shear thrust. Distributed computing is employed. The programmable surface may cover all or part of the exterior of a craft, such as an aircraft or marine vessel. Or, instead, the programmable surface may comprise the craft itself, which may, for example, take the form of a “flying carpet” or “flying sphere”. The thrust generated by the programmable surface can be employed directly to provide lift. Or it can be used to control the orientation of the craft, by varying the relative amount of thrust outputted by the respective cells. The number of cells employed may be changed on a mission-by-mission basis, to achieve “span on demand”. Each cell may carry its own payload.