UAV Deceleration via Independent Aerodynamic Drag Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air vehicle deceleration systems, such as parachute recovery and inflatable balloon systems, add unwanted mass to drones and can cause abrupt slowing, leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
An independently supported aerodynamic drag device, comprising a fabric sheet and frame system, that contacts and drapes around the air vehicle, achieving at least 90% kinetic energy dissipation through aerodynamic drag, without mechanical connection during normal flight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a parachute recovery system is used for every drone, then the drone can be recovered safely, but the mass of the drone increases due to the added parachute
Solution Approach 1:
The parachute is extracted from the drone system and made independent. The drone carries only a compact deployment mechanism, while the main parachute body is deployed from a separate stationary launcher, eliminating the need for the drone to carry the full parachute mass during flight.
Solution Approach 2:
A stationary parachute launcher acts as an intermediary between the drone and the parachute. The launcher provides the parachute to the drone at the appropriate moment without being part of the drone itself, allowing safe recovery while minimizing added mass to the moving drone.
2Reliability
If an inflatable balloon system is used for every aircraft, then the landing is cushioned, but the mass of the aircraft increases due to the balloon and inflation equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon system is extracted from the aircraft and made independent. The aircraft carries only a deployment mechanism, while the balloon is provided by a stationary launcher, eliminating the need for the aircraft to carry the full balloon and inflation equipment mass during flight.
Solution Approach 2:
A stationary balloon launcher acts as an intermediary between the aircraft and the balloon system, providing the cushioning balloon at the appropriate moment without being part of the aircraft, thus achieving cushioned landing while minimizing added mass to the moving aircraft.
3Speed
If a supported net is used to catch the UAV, then the UAV is slowed down, but the UAV is damaged due to abrupt slowing
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical net-catching system is replaced with an aerodynamic drag-based deceleration system. Instead of abrupt mechanical stopping, the UAV passes through a fabric sheet that creates gradual aerodynamic drag, slowing the UAV smoothly while maintaining its integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deceleration method changes from abrupt mechanical force to gradual aerodynamic drag. The fabric sheet creates distributed aerodynamic resistance that gradually reduces the UAV's speed, changing the deceleration parameter from high-impact to low-impact.
4Reliability
If a parachute is attached to the drone, then recovery is possible, but unwanted mass is added to the drone during flight
Solution Approach 1:
The parachute is extracted from the drone and placed in a stationary launcher. The drone only carries a compact deployment trigger, while the main parachute body remains separate until deployment, eliminating unwanted mass during flight while preserving recovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A stationary parachute launcher serves as an intermediary, providing the parachute to the drone only when needed for recovery. This allows the drone to maintain lightweight design during flight while retaining full recovery capability through the intermediary launcher system.
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
Provides a gentle and efficient deceleration of air vehicles by leveraging aerodynamic drag, reducing mass-related issues and minimizing damage risks.
Implementation Method 1
a majority of a kinetic energy dissipation of a combination of the air vehicle and the aerodynamic drag device is due to an aerodynamic drag of the aerodynamic drag device
Implementation Method 2
the sheet is at least partially draped around the air vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A system for slowing an air vehicle, including an independently supported aerodynamic drag device designed so that, after contact is made between the flying air vehicle and the aerodynamic drag device, one or more parts of the aerodynamic drag device are carried along by the air vehicle thereby decelerating the air vehicle, so that a majority of a kinetic energy dissipation of a combination of the air vehicle and the aerodynamic drag device is due to an aerodynamic drag of the aerodynamic drag device.