Propeller-less UAV with Anechoic Chamber and Internal Channels

Solution Overview

Problem

Current unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using propellers pose safety and noise concerns due to their external location and high-speed operation, which can cause damage and generate significant noise.

Innovation Solution

A propeller-less UAV design featuring a ducted body with internal channels, an anechoic chamber, and rotating circular tubes that utilize internal fans to accelerate air flow for lift and directional control, eliminating external propellers and reducing noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If external propellers are used to provide lift, then propulsion efficiency is improved, but safety deteriorates due to high-speed rotation causing damage to people, animals, and property

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropulsion efficiencyVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor is nested inside the anechoic chamber which is contained within the ducted body. This nested configuration allows the propulsion system to maintain its functional effectiveness while being completely enclosed, thereby eliminating the safety hazards associated with exposed external propellers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The anechoic chamber serves as an intermediary structure between the rotor and the external environment. It contains the rotating rotor while absorbing acoustic energy, thus mediating between the need for effective propulsion and the requirements for safety and noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If external propellers are used for propulsion, then lift generation is improved, but noise generation worsens due to high-speed operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelift generationVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor is nested inside the anechoic chamber which is contained within the ducted body. This nested configuration allows the propulsion system to maintain its functional effectiveness while being completely enclosed, thereby eliminating the safety hazards associated with exposed external propellers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The anechoic chamber serves as an intermediary structure between the rotor and the external environment. It contains the rotating rotor while absorbing acoustic energy, thus mediating between the need for effective propulsion and the requirements for safety and noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 3:

The patent replaces traditional external mechanical propellers with an internal rotor system that uses acoustic field manipulation. The anechoic chamber transforms the mechanical rotation into controlled acoustic waves that provide thrust, substituting direct mechanical propulsion with an acoustic field-based system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If traditional fan designs are used for propulsion, then simplicity is maintained, but efficiency deteriorates by 40% compared to the ducted design

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidpropulsion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The propulsion system is segmented into distinct functional components: the ducted body with internal channels, the anechoic chamber, the rotor, and the control system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve superior overall efficiency compared to traditional unified fan designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by adding the anechoic chamber as an intermediate space between the rotor and the external environment. This additional dimension allows for acoustic field manipulation and energy optimization that traditional two-dimensional fan designs cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enhances safety and reduces noise by containing the propulsion system within the UAV body, achieving 40% greater efficiency compared to traditional fan designs while providing precise control over thrust, lift, and direction.

Implementation Method 1

a rotor comprising a plurality of angled fins located in the anechoic chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngular Momentum: Angular Momentum

Data Source

PatentUS11370529B2Aerial vehicle turbine system

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 WALMART APOLLO LLC

AI summary

A propeller-less unmanned aerial vehicle having a body having a plurality of channels, an inlet formed in the body and configured to allow air flow to enter the plurality of channels from an exterior of the body, an anechoic chamber formed in the body and coupled to the plurality of channels, a rotor comprising a plurality of angled fins located in the anechoic chamber, a control system configured to direct air flow within the plurality of channels, and one or more circular tubes coupled to the exterior of the body and in communication with the plurality of channels. The air flows into the body through the inlet, into the plurality of channels and the anechoic chamber, and exits through the one or more circular tubes to provide lift and directional control to the propeller-less unmanned aerial vehicle.