Telescoping Aircraft Capture Rod for Confined UAV Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unmanned aircraft systems face challenges in compact installation and operation in cramped spaces, are prone to damage during recovery and launch due to high acceleration forces, and are not suitable for tight quarter recoveries without causing damage to the aircraft or the platform.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a telescoping or articulating rod to intercept and capture unmanned aircraft in flight, which elongates to absorb momentum forces, allowing for controlled recovery and minimizing stress on the aircraft and platform, with optional energy absorption features like anchor lines and pneumatic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If existing unmanned aircraft systems are installed in cramped quarters, then space utilization is improved, but the aircraft are prone to damage during recovery and launch due to high acceleration forces
Solution Approach 1:
A telescoping rod serves as an intermediary component between the aircraft and the recovery system. The rod elongates to absorb momentum forces during capture, acting as a buffer that protects the aircraft from direct impact forces while enabling recovery in confined spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping rod transitions from a compact state during storage to an elongated state during aircraft capture. This dynamic transformation allows the system to adapt its length based on operational requirements, absorbing momentum forces while maintaining a compact footprint when not in use
2Device complexity
If manual handling is used during recovery operations, then system complexity is reduced, but the aircraft are subjected to high acceleration and deceleration forces causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping rod automatically elongates in response to the aircraft's momentum during capture, eliminating the need for active control systems or complex actuation mechanisms. The system uses the aircraft's own kinetic energy to drive the rod's extension, providing passive protection while maintaining simplicity
3Ease of operation
If traditional recovery methods are used in tight quarters, then recovery capability is achieved, but damage occurs to either the aircraft or the platform
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the aircraft's harmful momentum and kinetic energy into a beneficial force that drives the telescoping rod's elongation. By harnessing the aircraft's own momentum to extend the rod, the system transforms potentially damaging forces into a protective mechanism that cushions the capture
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 efficient and secure recovery of unmanned aircraft without a runway, reducing damage risks and facilitating operation in confined spaces by absorbing and dissipating the aircraft's momentum, thus ensuring safe and controlled capture and retrieval.
Implementation Method 1
The telescoping rod is configured to pay out or extend from a first length to a second length greater than the first length in response to momentum from the aircraft
Implementation Method 2
The telescoping rod is configured to pay out or extend from a first length to a second length greater than the first length in response to momentum from the aircraft
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for capturing unmanned aircraft and controlling post-recovery motion of the aircraft are disclosed herein. An aircraft system in accordance with one embodiment of the technology, for example, includes a base assembly and an aircraft capture member attached to and extending from the base assembly. The aircraft capture member has a distal region positioned to intercept an unmanned aircraft in flight. The aircraft capture member comprises an elongated telescoping rod including a plurality of discrete segments having a telescoping arrangement relative to each other. The aircraft capture member is configured to elongate or pay out from a first initial length to a second extended length greater than the first length after an unmanned aircraft intercepts and engages the distal region of the aircraft capture member.