Rescue Pod Tethered Extraction via Gravity Well
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for apparatus and methods to retrieve individuals from hostile environments where vertical takeoff and landing vehicles are impractical, such as in situations where access is not convenient or safe for helicopters, and to provide necessary equipment connected to a fixed-wing aircraft at altitude, and then extract the individual using the aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a rescue pod with a main parachute and wireless communication circuitry, tethered to a winch in the aircraft, which creates a gravity well for descending spiral deployment and retrieval, allowing the pod to be lowered to the surface, loaded with a subject, and lifted back to the aircraft, with options for parachute delivery over water or land, and countermeasures for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If VTOL vehicles (helicopters) are used for extraction, then access flexibility is improved, but operational availability deteriorates when convenient access is not available or when VTOL access is impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed-wing aircraft is equipped with both winch-based extraction capability and pod-based delivery capability, making it a universal platform that can perform both traditional air-to-air extraction and ground/sea delivery operations, replacing the need for separate VTOL and fixed-wing assets
2Reliability
If fixed-wing aircraft are used for extraction, then operational availability is improved when VTOL is impractical, but access flexibility deteriorates compared to VTOL vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction function is segmented into two independent systems: the winch system for traditional air-to-air extraction and the pod system for ground/sea delivery. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific function while the aircraft provides overall operational availability
3Measurement precision
If a rescue pod with tether is used, then delivery precision to surface position is improved, but system complexity increases compared to direct parachute drop
Solution Approach 1:
The tether acts as an intermediary between the fixed-wing aircraft and the rescue pod, enabling controlled delivery to precise surface positions while maintaining a mechanical connection for subsequent retrieval operations, bridging the gap between air and ground/sea environments
4Object-affected harmful factors
If gradual tension increase in tether is used for lifting, then subject safety is improved, but extraction time increases compared to rapid extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The tether tension is increased periodically and gradually through controlled aircraft maneuvers rather than instantaneously, creating a series of small, manageable increases that protect the subject while ultimately achieving rapid extraction once the subject is clear of the surface
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
Enables safe and efficient extraction of personnel from challenging environments with reduced risk of injury, allowing precise control and delivery of the rescue pod, and accommodating medical treatment or UAV control for precise maneuverability.
Implementation Method 1
The rescue pod may have a main parachute
Implementation Method 2
maneuvering the aircraft into a circular orbit at a specific altitude, diameter of orbit and airspeed, creating a gravity well in which the tether describes a descending spiral configuration
Implementation Method 3
lifting the rescue pod from the surface position by retrieving the tether with the winch
Data Source
AI summary
A method for extracting a rescue subject from a surface position includes lowering a rescue pod having an enclosed compartment with a door from an aircraft, the rescue pod having a parachute and a control system, the rescue pod connected by a tether to a winch in the aircraft, controllably releasing the tether from the winch while maneuvering the aircraft into an orbit at altitude, diameter and airspeed, creating a gravity well in which the tether describes a spiral configuration with the pod descending along a vertical centerline, lowering the pod to the surface position, loading the rescue subject into the enclosed compartment, and lifting the rescue pod from the surface position by retrieving the tether with the winch or altering the path and speed of the aircraft, in a manner to gradually increase tension in the tether lifting the rescue pod from the ground point.