UAV Capture Device with Energy Absorbing Landing Depression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) recovery systems face challenges such as requiring substantial space, being prone to damage during manual handling, and being unsuitable for tight quarter recoveries, which limits their operational flexibility and safety.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a support with an upright portion and a boom portion, a capture line extending downwardly for engagement with the UAV, and a flexible, resilient landing device that restricts lateral motion and absorbs energy, allowing for UAV capture and landing without a runway, using a carriage track and releasable restraint devices to manage the capture line's motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing unmanned aircraft systems are used, then surveillance missions can be performed, but they require substantial space and are difficult to install in cramped quarters
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: a compact launch device, a recoverable aircraft, and a retrieval mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates deployment in confined spaces where a monolithic system would not fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft is launched and recovered vertically rather than horizontally, utilizing the vertical dimension to overcome spatial constraints. The launch device propels the aircraft upward, and the retrieval system recovers it from above, enabling operation in cramped quarters where horizontal space is limited.
2Weight of moving object
If small and lightweight unmanned aircraft are used, then they can operate in confined spaces, but they are prone to damage during manual handling in hostile environments
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft is equipped with cushioning elements and protective features designed to absorb impacts during launch and recovery operations. The launch device and retrieval system are configured to minimize harsh handling, and the aircraft structure includes damage-mitigating characteristics built in advance to protect against the harsh environment of shipboard operations.
3Productivity
If existing recovery systems are used, then aircraft can be recovered, but they are unsuitable for tight quarter recoveries and may cause damage to the aircraft or platform
Solution Approach 1:
The retrieval system employs flexible capture lines and compliant mounting mechanisms that can adapt to confined spaces. The capture lines are sufficiently flexible to navigate tight quarters while maintaining sufficient tensile strength to recover the aircraft, and the mounting structure can accommodate spatial constraints on the platform.
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 safe and efficient capture of UAVs in confined spaces by preventing ground contact and absorbing energy, reducing the risk of damage to the aircraft and the recovery platform, while allowing for compact storage and easy deployment.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible, resilient landing device positioned proximate to the at least one support, wherein the landing device includes a depression positioned to receive the unmanned aircraft
Implementation Method 2
the depression configured to restrict lateral motion of the unmanned aircraft as it comes to rest
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A capture device for unmanned aerial vehicles, comprising: at least one support having an upright portion, an upper boom portion and a lower boom portion; a capture line carried by the support, the capture line extending downwardly from the upper boom portion to the lower boom portion; an energy absorber configured to absorb energy imparted to the capture line by an unmanned aerial vehicle during capture; a restraint device configured to prevent or at least restrict motion of the unmanned aerial vehicle after capture, wherein the restraint device includes a restraint line coupled to the capture line.