Retractable Aircraft Landing Platform for Deck Space Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft landing platforms on access facilities like boats occupy excessive space when not in use, limiting crew mobility and increasing the risk of accidental impacts, while also being difficult to access and install in various areas.
Innovation Solution
A reduced dimensions platform with a central body and peripheral panels that fold into the central body when not in use, allowing for easier access and installation in any area, and featuring drive means like articulated actuators for efficient movement and compensation mechanisms to maintain a horizontal landing surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the platform is permanently fixed in the landing configuration, then the aircraft landing function is always available and visible, but the space occupation is excessive and crew mobility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between a compact stowed configuration and an extended landing configuration. The peripheral panels can be moved from a retracted position within the central body to an extended position forming the landing surface, allowing the platform to adapt its size and function based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform is divided into a central body and multiple peripheral panels that can be independently positioned. The peripheral panels can be segmented and folded along hinges, allowing them to be stored within the central body when not in use and deployed when needed for aircraft landing.
2Ease of operation
If the platform remains in the landing configuration, then the aircraft landing operation is facilitated, but the risk of accidental impacts and safety hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platform transitions from a static extended structure to a dynamic system that can be retracted and stowed. When aircraft landing is not required, the peripheral panels are folded back into the central body, reducing the platform's footprint and eliminating protruding elements that could cause accidental impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform design proactively prevents accidental impacts by retracting the landing surface before such incidents can occur. The ability to stow the peripheral panels eliminates the hazard of people or objects coming into contact with the extended platform structure when landing operations are not active.
3Illumination intensity
If the platform is fixed in position, then the aircraft landing visibility is maintained, but the accessibility to surrounding areas is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The platform provides visibility when needed by extending the peripheral panels to form the landing surface with proper markings visible from outside. When crew accessibility is required, the panels are retracted into the central body, clearing the surrounding deck area for easy movement and access.
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 platform reduces space occupation, enhances crew mobility, minimizes accidental impacts, and allows for flexible installation in various areas, while ensuring safe and stable aircraft landing operations.
Implementation Method 1
compensation means, operatively connected with moving means, so as to maintain the landing footboard in a horizontal position when waves or wind act on the access facility
Data Source
AI summary
A reduced dimensions platform (1) for the landing of an aircraft on an access facility (B) having a support base (2), suitable to be fixed on a reference surface (P) belonging to said access facility (B), and a landing footboard (3), superiorly connected with said support base (2) and suitable to receive said aircraft. Specifically, the landing footboard (3) includes a central body (4), coupled with support base (2), and a plurality of peripheral panels (5), operatively connected with drive means (6) which move the peripheral panels (5) from/to a rest position, in which said peripheral panels (5) are contained within the dimensions of the central body (4), to/from an operating position, in which the peripheral panels (5) projects laterally from the central body (4).