Deployable Projectile Air Intake Cone for Low-Drag Engine Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projectiles with air-breathing propulsion units face challenges in efficiently transitioning between stowed and deployed configurations without increasing aerodynamic drag or requiring powered actuation systems, while maintaining compactness and stability.
Innovation Solution
An air intake module for projectiles that includes a module forward end and aft end, with sliding rail elements and pivotable intake cone elements, allowing longitudinal displacement between stowed and deployed configurations, enabling deployment without powered actuation and maintaining compactness and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the air intake is opened in the deployed form, then air supply to the engine is improved, but the projectile length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake module is designed to be dynamically deployable, transitioning from a retracted position during launch to an extended position during flight. This allows the projectile to maintain a compact length during storage and launch while providing adequate air intake length during the deployed flight phase, resolving the contradiction between compactness and air supply reliability.
2Ease of operation
If a powered actuation system is added for deployment, then deployment control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake module employs a self-deploying mechanism that utilizes aerodynamic forces and spring elements to automatically transition from the retracted to the extended position upon launch. This eliminates the need for complex powered actuation systems while ensuring reliable deployment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If the air intake module is extended for better air supply, then engine performance is improved, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake module transitions from a retracted configuration during launch to an extended configuration during flight. This dynamic adjustment allows the projectile to minimize aerodynamic drag during the launch phase while maximizing air supply to the engine during the flight phase, effectively resolving the contradiction between engine performance and aerodynamic drag.
4Volume of moving object
If the projectile is kept compact for storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but air intake capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake system is segmented into a movable module that can be independently positioned. This module is retracted into the projectile body for compact storage and launch, then extended during flight to provide adequate air intake capability. The segmentation allows the projectile to maintain compact volume during storage while ensuring reliable air intake capability during operation.
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 air intake module allows for increased projectile length in the deployed configuration without increasing aerodynamic drag, improves static stability, and ensures compact storage and deployment without powered actuation, protecting the propulsion system during launch and flight.
Implementation Method 1
an aft facing intake cone arrangement, wherein each said intake cone element is pivotably mounted with respect to the module front end and is pivotably movable between a respective open position, corresponding to the module stowed configuration, and a respective closed position, corresponding to the module deployed configuration
Data Source
AI summary
An air intake module for a projectile includes a module forward end (MFE), a module aft end (MAE), and an aft facing intake cone arrangement (AFICA). The air intake module is configured for connection to the forward portion and the propulsion system of the projectile. The MAE is longitudinally displaceable with respect to the MFE between a stowed configuration (wherein the MFE is at a first spacing with respect to the MAE) and a deployed configuration (wherein the MFE is at a second spacing, greater than the first spacing). The AFICA includes a plurality of intake cone elements, each being pivotably movable between an open position (corresponding to the stowed configuration) wherein the intake cone elements are overlying the MAE, and a closed position (corresponding to the deployed configuration) wherein the intake cone elements are pivoted towards one another to form an aft facing cone structure forward of the MAE.