UAV Recovery Braking Stabilizer for Kinetic Energy Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UAV recovery systems often cause damage to UAVs due to residual kinetic energy and wind forces after capture, as well as sudden jerks from recoil of the recovery line, leading to potential degradation and reduced longevity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a braking stabilizer with a flexible stem and a body featuring first and second flexible posts with a filament extending between them, which contacts and engages the UAV's hook to stabilize and decelerate the vehicle during recovery, reducing forces applied and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a capture line is used to recover the UAV, then the UAV can be captured in flight without a runway, but residual kinetic energy and wind forces cause damage to the UAV
Solution Approach 1:
The braking stabilizer is deployed beforehand and positioned to contact the UAV's wing before the capture line engagement. This pre-positioned stabilizer creates a cushioning effect that absorbs residual kinetic energy and wind forces during recovery, preventing damage to the UAV while maintaining the flexibility of flight recovery operations
2Productivity
If the capture line recoils after capturing the UAV, then the UAV is pulled in, but sudden jerks from recoil cause damage and reduce UAV longevity
Solution Approach 1:
The braking stabilizer acts as an intermediary element between the capture line and the UAV. When the capture line recoils, the stabilizer contacts the UAV's wing and provides a buffering interface that reduces sudden jerks and forces, thereby protecting the UAV from damage while still allowing efficient recovery operations
3Reliability
If residual forces act on the UAV after capture, then the UAV is secured, but these forces cause degradation and reduce system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful residual forces are extracted and isolated from the UAV by introducing the braking stabilizer as a separate force-dissipating element. The stabilizer contacts the UAV's wing and absorbs these residual forces through friction and deformation, preventing them from causing degradation to the UAV while maintaining capture stability
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 effectively reduces the forces applied to the UAV during capture, minimizing damage and increasing its longevity by creating a motion-dampening interface between the UAV and the braking stabilizer, thereby stabilizing the UAV and preventing degradation.
Implementation Method 1
The braking stabilizer includes a flexible stem, a body at a distal end of the stem, flexible first and second posts of the body extending along a longitudinal direction of the flexible stem
Implementation Method 2
a filament extending between the first and second posts to contact a hook of the UAV
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to stabilize and recover unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a capture line, a mast to support the capture line for contact with the UAV, and a braking stabilizer. The braking stabilizer includes a flexible stem, a body at a distal end of the stem, where the body defines first and second flexible posts, and a filament extending between the first and second posts to contact and engage a hook of the UAV.