Reconfigurable Aircraft Tail Assembly for Confined Space Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft with tails face operational and dimensional constraints in confined environments, such as urban areas or ship flight decks, due to the additional height requirements of the tail section, limiting their applicability.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable tail assembly system that can be selectively extended or retracted during flight, controlled by a processor receiving position and sensor information to determine safety clearance, allowing the aircraft to operate in confined spaces by adjusting its tail configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a tail section is added to the aircraft for horizontal flight stability, then flight stability is improved, but the overall height of the aircraft increases making it unsuitable for confined environments
Solution Approach 1:
The tail assembly is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, transitioning between extended and retracted positions. During horizontal flight, the tail extends to provide stability; during vertical takeoff and landing, it retracts to minimize height. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the stability-enhancing feature conditional rather than permanent.
Solution Approach 2:
The tail assembly is segmented into movable components that can be independently positioned. The horizontal stabilizer and vertical stabilizer are separate segments that can be extended or retracted relative to the fuselage, allowing the aircraft to have a tail when needed and a compact profile when operating in confined spaces.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed tail assembly is used for horizontal flight stability, then flight control is improved, but the aircraft cannot operate in confined areas such as urban zones or ship flight decks
Solution Approach 1:
The tail assembly incorporates movable components that can be extended or retracted based on operational requirements. During horizontal flight, the tail extends to provide stability and control; during vertical operations in confined spaces, it retracts to minimize the aircraft's profile. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the aircraft to adapt to different operational environments while maintaining flight control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tail assembly serves multiple functions: providing horizontal and vertical stability during cruise flight, and retracting to enable operations in confined spaces. The same structural components that provide aerodynamic stability also serve as the reconfigurable mechanism, eliminating the need for separate systems and achieving multi-functionality.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the tail assembly is extended during vertical flight, then horizontal flight stability is achieved, but the aircraft exceeds safety clearance limits in confined environments
Solution Approach 1:
The tail assembly is designed with actuated components that can dynamically adjust their position based on flight phase. During vertical flight in confined environments, the tail retracts to maintain safety clearance; during horizontal flight, it extends to provide stability. This dynamic positioning eliminates the harmful effect of exceeding clearance limits while preserving stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively retracts the tail assembly before entering confined environments or during vertical flight phases where clearance is critical. By anticipating the need to maintain safety clearance, the tail is retracted in advance, preventing potential clearance violations before they occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for a reconfigurable aircraft having a fuselage with one or more propellers, at least one tail assembly, a processor, and a memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to: determine a safety clearance for the at least one tail assembly; and selectively move the at least one tail assembly upon a determination that the safety clearance is achieved.