Rotating Payload Launcher for Protected Aircraft Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing payload deployment systems from aircraft expose payloads to environmental conditions, affecting flight characteristics and risking foreign object damage, especially for drones and munitions with deployable control surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A rotating release launching system with a tubular body and a rotating door mechanism that retains and releases payloads using angular momentum, ensuring proper orientation and minimizing exposure to elements, while protecting the aircraft from drag and FOD.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the payload is attached externally on the aircraft and exposed to environmental conditions, then the payload can be easily deployed, but the flight characteristics are adversely affected and the payload may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The payload is pre-positioned within the rotating launcher assembly before flight, protected from environmental conditions. The launcher is pre-configured with the payload in a secure position, and the rotation mechanism is pre-set to deploy the payload at the appropriate moment, eliminating the need for exposed attachment and subsequent deployment actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating launcher assembly serves as an intermediary mechanism between the aircraft and the payload. It provides a protected environment for the payload during flight while enabling controlled deployment through rotation, thus mediating between the need for protection and the need for easy deployment.
2Productivity
If the payload with deployable control surfaces is exposed to airflow under the wings, then the payload can be deployed, but the control surfaces extend undesirably and affect flight characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The launcher rotates to the deployment position before the payload is released, pre-aligning the payload's orientation. This preliminary rotation ensures that control surfaces are in the desired configuration before exposure to airflow, preventing undesirable extension and maintaining stable flight characteristics from the moment of deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating launcher provides dynamic control over the payload's orientation and deployment timing. By controlling the rotation speed and final position, the system dynamically adjusts the payload's state from a protected, compact configuration to an deployed, functional configuration, ensuring control surfaces extend only when and how desired.
3Reliability
If the payload is retained within a protected launcher, then the payload is protected from environmental conditions, but the launcher complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating launcher assembly performs multiple functions: it protects the payload during flight, controls the deployment timing, orientates the payload in the correct direction, and provides a mechanism for release. By combining these functions into a single multi-functional device, the overall system complexity is reduced compared to having separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The launcher integrates the protection structure, rotation mechanism, and payload release system into a unified assembly. This merging of components reduces the number of separate parts and interfaces needed, simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliable payload protection and controlled deployment capabilities.
4Manufacturing precision
If the rotating door mechanism is used to release the payload, then the payload orientation is controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating door mechanism utilizes rotational motion along a curved path to control payload orientation. This curved/rotational approach provides smooth, continuous control over the payload's angular position, enabling precise orientation control through a simple rotational degree of freedom rather than complex multi-axis positioning mechanisms.
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 system provides a controlled and protected release of payloads, reducing drag and FOD risks, enhancing flight stability and payload functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing portion configured to transfer an angular momentum of the rotating door portion to the payload arranged within the door portion
Implementation Method 2
the door portion may be operative to rotate in a substantially elliptical path to expose the bay area of the launcher... the payload may be released through the bay area with the angular momentum (or rotating inertia) that is generated by the door's rotation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a payload deployment system that is operative to receive and retain a configurable payload. The payload deployment mechanism helps to reduce the drag of the payload and to protect the payload from environmental factors. The payload may be released using a hinge mechanism to ensure the payload does not contact the payload deployment mechanism when the payload is deployed. A vent may be utilized to equalize pressure between the external environment and a body portion of the payload deployment mechanism. The vent may generate an additional force to assist in separating the payload from the launcher.