Rotatable UAV Recovery Hook for Controlled Spiral Descent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recovery systems for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) face challenges such as requiring large open spaces, payload penalties from parachute systems, complexity in controlled break-up systems, and precision issues with suspended line systems, which limit their effectiveness and reliability, especially for unswept wing designs and rotorcraft.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring coupling means suspended beneath the UAV with complementary, rotatably mounted coupling means that allow engagement and rotation, enabling a gradual stop through spiral descent, adaptable to various wind conditions and UAV configurations, including unswept wings and rotorcraft, using hooks, cables, or chains with adjustable orientations and widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a parachute recovery system is deployed, then the UAV can be recovered without requiring large open spaces, but the system incurs weight and payload penalties and requires robust construction to withstand repeated impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the heavy parachute and its deployment mechanism from the UAV system by replacing them with a simple hook suspended beneath the UAV. This hook engages with a stationary arm structure, eliminating the need for complex parachute systems while maintaining recovery capability without large open space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary arm is pre-positioned at an angle to the vertical before recovery begins. This preliminary configuration allows the hook to engage smoothly and the UAV to spiral to a gradual halt, preventing the need for robust construction to withstand sudden impacts.
2Ease of operation
If a suspended line system is used for recovery, then the UAV can be captured, but precision flying is required as the margin of error is merely the wingspan of the UAV
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-dimensional suspended line to a two-dimensional angled arm structure. The arm extends at an angle to the vertical and can rotate about a substantially vertical axis, creating a larger effective target area that is complementary to the hook geometry, thereby reducing the precision flying requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary arm is made rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position during the recovery process. This rotation enables the arm to accommodate variations in UAV trajectory and maintain engagement with the hook, reducing the need for precision flying.
3Reliability
If a net is used to recover UAVs, then the UAV can be captured, but a large net is required to account for uncertainties in trajectory and the enveloping nature can lead to damage to fragile parts such as antennas
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the net entirely from the recovery system, replacing it with a focused hook-arm engagement mechanism. This eliminates the harmful enveloping effect that damages fragile parts while maintaining capture reliability through the precise geometric complementarity between the hook and the angled arm.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a large net that covers the entire UAV, the invention applies the recovery function locally at a specific point where the hook engages with the arm. This localized approach reduces the risk of damage to fragile parts while maintaining reliable capture.
4Speed
If a suspended line system is used, then the UAV can be captured, but the UAV is brought to a halt more quickly causing sudden stop
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable arm allows the UAV to spiral to a gradual halt as the arm rotates during engagement. This dynamic motion extends the deceleration time compared to a fixed suspended line, providing a more controlled stop that is easier to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm is pre-configured at an angle to the vertical, which allows the hook to engage and initiate a spiral motion. This preliminary angular configuration enables the UAV to gradually reduce speed through rotation rather than experiencing a sudden stop.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a recovery system for unmanned air vehicles, namely a system for recovering such air vehicles from flight. The system comprises an unmanned air vehicle (10) and recovery apparatus (30), the air vehicle having first coupling means (20) suspended beneath the air vehicle, and the recovery apparatus comprising second coupling means (32). The first and second coupling means engage. The second coupling means is rotatably mounted (52) so as to allow rotation about a substantially vertical axis upon engagement.