Reconfigurable Vehicle Door for Stealth and Aerodynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft doors are large and protruding, which reduces aerodynamics and increases radar cross-section, making aircraft less stealthy, and external space limitations restrict the number of external devices that can be fitted.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable door system with pivotable surfaces that can change configuration to minimize external projections, featuring a transfer system for device mounting and a design that reduces radar cross-section, including a carousel-type arrangement for sequential device positioning and angled surfaces to overlap with the vehicle frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional large doors are used to allow weapon deployment, then weapon carriage capability is improved, but radar cross-section increases and aerodynamics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The door is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, capable of rotating between different configurations (fully retracted, partially retracted, fully extended) to adapt to different operational requirements. This dynamic capability allows the aircraft to optimize between weapon deployment needs and stealth/aerodynamic performance by selecting appropriate door positions based on mission requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The door system is segmented into multiple controllable sections or positions, allowing independent control of different portions of the door assembly. This segmentation enables selective deployment where only necessary portions are extended for weapon carriage while other portions remain retracted to maintain low radar cross-section and good aerodynamics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional large doors are used to allow weapon deployment, then weapon carriage capability is improved, but aerodynamics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The door system provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the aircraft to maintain an aerodynamically optimized configuration (door fully retracted) during cruise and only extend the door when weapon deployment is required. This minimizes the time the door is in an extended position, thereby reducing overall aerodynamic drag and energy loss during flight.
Solution Approach 2:
The door can be extended only to the minimum necessary degree to accomplish weapon deployment tasks, rather than requiring full extension. This partial action approach allows weapon carriage capability to be maintained while minimizing the adverse aerodynamic effects that would result from a fully extended door configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple external devices are fitted to maximize external real estate utilization, then device carriage capability is improved, but radar detectability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arrangement is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, allowing devices to be moved between different positions (internal and external) based on operational requirements. This dynamic capability enables the aircraft to carry multiple devices over time by sequentially positioning them externally for operation and internally for stealth, rather than having multiple devices permanently mounted externally.
Solution Approach 2:
Devices can be pre-positioned in internal storage or mounting locations within the aircraft structure. When stealth is required, devices remain in these preliminary internal positions. When device operation is needed, they are then transferred to external mounting positions. This preliminary positioning capability allows multiple devices to be carried without requiring simultaneous external mounting.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2A
Figure 2B~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A vehicle includes a reconfigurable door having a first surface and a second surface. There is also an arrangement for configuring the door so that in a first configuration at least part of the first surface is external to the vehicle, and in a second configuration at least part of the second surface is external to the vehicle. The first surface and/or the second surface includes at least one device mounting arrangement.