Submersible Glider Ring Wing Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater gliders face challenges in efficiently propelling themselves horizontally without excessive energy consumption or large dimensions, particularly when submerged in aqueous media like oceans.
Innovation Solution
A submersible glider equipped with a ring wing lifting surface, which is coupled to the stern of a fuselage and can pivot or tilt to steer and adjust ascent or descent, leveraging lift to propel the glider through the water while maintaining a compact design suitable for deployment from cylindrical launch containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional glider designs are used, then horizontal propulsion can be achieved, but energy consumption increases and dimensions become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional planar wing designs to a three-dimensional ring wing structure. The ring wing generates lift through its radial and tangential components, utilizing vertical and horizontal dimensions simultaneously to achieve efficient horizontal propulsion with reduced energy consumption compared to traditional two-dimensional wings
Solution Approach 2:
The ring wing employs a curved, toroidal geometry that optimizes fluid flow patterns. The curved surface area and radial arrangement of the wing structure enhance lift generation while minimizing drag, thereby improving propulsion efficiency and reducing energy requirements for horizontal movement
2Productivity
If the glider is designed with a ring wing lifting surface, then horizontal propulsion efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ring wing structure integrates multiple functions into a single component: it serves as the primary lifting surface, provides structural support for the fuselage, and acts as a reference for orientation. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining propulsion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The ring wing is designed to perform multiple roles simultaneously - generating lift for horizontal propulsion, providing structural rigidity, and serving as an orientation reference for the glider. This multi-functionality approach reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components for each function
3Ease of operation
If the glider uses a streamlined cylindrical shape, then storage and deployment from launch containers becomes feasible, but the lifting surface area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ring wing extends the lifting surface area into the radial dimension rather than expanding it laterally. This allows the glider to maintain a compact cylindrical profile for easy storage while generating sufficient lift through the three-dimensional ring structure, effectively decoupling lifting surface area from the glider's overall footprint
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 ring wing glider achieves efficient horizontal propulsion in aqueous media with reduced energy consumption, allowing for longer operational durations and the ability to be deployed from standard launch containers, enhancing its applicability in various underwater missions.
Implementation Method 1
The glider can include a ring wing lifting surface (e.g., surface of a partial or full structure of a ring wing) coupled to a stern of the fuselage
Implementation Method 2
The buoyancy engine can be configured to adjust a buoyancy and a center-of-gravity of the glider in the aqueous medium to propel the glider through the aqueous medium
Data Source
AI summary
A submersible glider with a ring wing is provided. The glider can operate in an aqueous medium. The glider can include a fuselage in a shape of a body of revolution. The glider can include a ring wing lifting surface coupled to a stern of the fuselage. The glider can include a buoyancy engine disposed within the fuselage, the buoyancy engine configured to adjust a buoyancy and a center-of-gravity of the glider in the aqueous medium, to propel the glider through the aqueous medium by leveraging lift from the ring wing lifting surface.