Aircraft Stabilizer Energy Absorption via Retractable Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tail skids for rotorcrafts, made of metal alloys, require separate support structures, increasing stabilizer weight and limiting aerodynamic performance due to their circular tube design and need for ground clearance.
Innovation Solution
An energy-absorbing assembly integrated into the stabilizer, comprising first and second portions with a retractable section that displaces over an air gap upon impact, allowing for elastic or plastic deformation to absorb energy without transferring damage to the tail boom, while maintaining aerodynamic shape and reducing part counts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a circular tube tail skid design is used, then energy absorption capability is provided, but stabilizer weight increases due to required support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tail skid function with the stabilizer structure itself, eliminating the need for separate support structures. The stabilizer is designed with an integrated energy-absorbing structure that combines both the stabilizer's aerodynamic function and the tail skid's impact absorption function into a single unified component, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining energy absorption capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a circular tube tail skid is added to the stabilizer, then impact protection is provided, but aerodynamic performance is limited due to ground clearance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The tail skid function is merged into the stabilizer's aerodynamic surface, allowing the same structure to serve both protective and aerodynamic purposes. The energy-absorbing structure is designed to maintain the stabilizer's aerodynamic shape while providing impact protection, eliminating the need for separate ground clearance components that would compromise aerodynamic performance.
3Length of stationary object
If a separate tail skid support structure is used, then sufficient ground clearance is achieved, but the number of parts and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure function is merged into the stabilizer's main body, eliminating the need for separate tail skid components and their associated support structures. The stabilizer itself is designed to provide both structural support and ground clearance functionality, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining adequate ground clearance.
4Strength
If metal alloy tail skids are used, then structural strength is provided, but weight and part complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the stabilizer, utilizing materials that provide high strength-to-weight ratios. The energy-absorbing structure is formed from composite materials that deliver the necessary structural strength for impact protection while significantly reducing weight compared to traditional metal alloy tail skids.
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
This solution enables efficient energy absorption within the stabilizer's aerodynamic design, reducing damage to the aircraft's airframe, allowing for customizable energy absorption levels, and increasing stabilizer dimensions and aerodynamic performance.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for elastic or plastic deformation to absorb energy
Implementation Method 2
allowing for elastic or plastic deformation to absorb energy
Data Source
AI summary
According to one implementation of the present disclosure, a stabilizer of an aircraft includes an energy absorbing assembly. The energy absorbing assembly includes first and second portions and a retractable section. The retractable section may be at least partially affixed to the first portion and is configured to enable displacement of the second portion of the stabilizer with respect to the first portion.