Rotating Telescoping Landing Surface for VTOL UAV Pod Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerial geographic survey work for agricultural and oil industries incurs high logistics and costs due to the need for personnel to operate and maintain unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and process data, especially in remote locations, where automation, reliability, range, and data retrieval/processing capabilities are limited.
Innovation Solution
A UAV storage and launch system with a telescoping landing surface and rotatable guides within a pod that allows for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAVs to be protected, aligned, and efficiently launched and landed, while accounting for crosswinds, and includes a method for transitioning the pod between open and closed positions for data transmission and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed landing surface is used inside the UAV pod, then the structure is simple, but the UAV cannot be properly aligned for launch and landing, especially in crosswind conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The landing surface is designed to be rotatable relative to the pod body, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation. This enables the landing surface to align with crosswind directions during launch and landing operations, while maintaining a simple fixed structure when rotated into position. The rotatable mechanism provides operational flexibility without requiring a complex adjustable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The landing surface is segmented from the pod body as a separate rotatable component. This segmentation allows the landing surface to be independently oriented relative to the pod, enabling proper UAV alignment for launch and landing while keeping the overall structure relatively simple. The segmented design permits the landing surface to be rotated into the required orientation without moving the entire pod structure.
2Ease of operation
If the UAV pod remains closed for protection, then the UAV is protected from elements, but the UAV cannot be launched or landed
Solution Approach 1:
The pod lid is designed to be rotatable, allowing it to dynamically open to a predetermined angle during launch and landing operations. This enables the pod to transition from a protective closed state to an operational open state, and then rotate back to a protected position after the UAV has been launched or landed. The rotatable mechanism provides operational access while maintaining protection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The pod lid is rotated to a predetermined opening angle before UAV launch or landing operations begin. This preliminary action provides the necessary access for the UAV to be launched or landed, while the lid can then be rotated back to a protected position after the operation. The predetermined angle ensures proper clearance for the UAV wings and body during the transition.
3Ease of operation
If the landing surface is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the UAV wings may impinge on side walls during translation into the pod
Solution Approach 1:
The landing surface is made rotatable relative to the pod body, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation during UAV translation. This enables the landing surface to rotate to a predetermined angle that provides adequate clearance for the UAV wings, preventing impingement on the pod side walls. The rotatable mechanism provides the necessary flexibility without requiring a complex adjustable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The landing surface is segmented as a separate rotatable component from the pod body. This segmentation allows the landing surface to be independently oriented during UAV translation, providing wing clearance while keeping the overall structure relatively simple. The segmented design permits the landing surface to rotate to the required angle without moving the entire pod structure.
4Productivity
If automated launch and landing systems are implemented, then operational costs are reduced and efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the UAV's own motors to generate reverse thrust that rotates the landing surface and pod lid into the required positions for launch and landing. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external automated positioning mechanisms, reducing system complexity while maintaining operational efficiency. The UAV's own propulsion system is utilized to perform the positioning function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical automated positioning systems with a simpler approach using the UAV's own motors and thrust forces. Instead of using external actuators or mechanical positioning mechanisms, the system uses the UAV's propulsion system to generate the necessary forces for rotating the landing surface and pod lid. This substitution reduces overall system complexity while maintaining automation capability.
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 autonomous and efficient multiple mission launches and landings of VTOL UAVs, reducing operational costs and improving data collection capabilities in remote areas by providing a robust and automated system for UAV operation and data processing.
Implementation Method 1
generating, by at least one motor of the VTOL UAV, a reverse thrust to create an asymmetric force to rotate the UAV landing surface
Implementation Method 2
generating, by at least one motor of the VTOL UAV, a reverse thrust to create an asymmetric force to rotate the UAV landing surface
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage and launch system, including: a UAV pod having an interior; and a telescoping UAV landing surface disposed in the interior of the UAV pod; where the telescoping UAV landing surface may translate up toward a top opening of the UAV pod, translate down into an interior of the UAV pod, or rotate relative to the UAV pod.