Stowable Textile Wing Structure Using High-Pressure Fluid Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flight taxi concepts fail to provide a comfortable, efficient, and cost-effective means of transportation for families over longer distances, as they often require separate vehicles for road and air travel, and existing rigid wing concepts are not suitable for everyday use due to accommodation issues.
Innovation Solution
A stowable, aerodynamic wing structure using pressure-tight, liquid-filled tubes made of flexible material, with a tearproof outer covering and a high-pressure pump system, allowing for efficient storage and deployment, and integration with a transport device for both land and air travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid wing structures are used, then structural strength and stability are improved, but storage space requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible pressure chambers made of elastomeric material that can be inflated to provide structural strength and deflated for compact storage. The flexible membrane structure, when pressurized, maintains wing shape and load-bearing capacity, while allowing the wing to be rolled or folded into minimal space when deflated.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing structure utilizes pneumatic pressure chambers filled with gas or liquid under pressure to provide structural rigidity and maintain aerodynamic shape. The pressurized fluid within the flexible chambers creates the necessary structural strength, while allowing the structure to be collapsed by releasing pressure for compact storage.
2Reliability
If liquid-filled pressure chambers are used, then operating safety is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs liquid-filled pressure chambers where the incompressible liquid provides superior safety by preventing catastrophic collapse and maintaining structural integrity under pressure. The liquid medium allows for controlled pressure distribution and failure modes that enhance operational reliability compared to gas-filled alternatives.
3Volume of stationary object
If the wing structure is made stowable, then storage space is reduced, but structural complexity and deployment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wing structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic flexible structure that can be actively inflated and deflated. This dynamic capability allows the wing to be deployed and stowed on demand, adapting its physical state between operational and storage configurations through pressure control systems.
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 solution enables a high load capacity with increased operating safety, reduced storage space, and minimal weight, allowing the transport device to function both as a car and an aircraft, thus addressing the need for a versatile, family-friendly transportation solution.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one pressure chamber (21) of the wing structure (20) is fillable with an incompressible liquid (e.g., water) and the incompressible liquid is held in the pressure chamber (21) under high pressure above 5.0×10^6 Pa
Implementation Method 2
a stowable, aerodynamic wing structure with at least one pressure-tight tubular pressure chamber (21) made of an elastic material
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 1e~1f
Figure 1g~1h
AI summary
The invention relates to a wing system (10) comprising an aerodynamic wing structure (20) which can be stowed, in particular a wing structure which can be rolled up and/or folded, comprising at least one pressure-tight tubular pressure chamber (21) which is made of a flexible material and extends preferably along the wingspan of the wing structure, and a tear-resistant outer skin fabric (22) which encases the wing structure. The invention is characterized in that the at least one pressure chamber (21) of the wing structure can be filled with a fluid, and the wing system comprises a high-pressure pump system. The fluid is kept in the pressure chamber (21) under high pressure, in particular over 50 bar, in particular over 100 bar, in particular over 150 bar. The invention additionally relates to a transport device (1) for use as an aircraft for traveling in the air and as a vehicle for traveling on land. The invention is characterized in that the transport device (1) comprises a wing system (10) according to one of the previous claims, said wing system being attached preferably to the upper face of the transport device (1).