Airborne UAV Docking Assembly with Deployable Tug Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are limited by their flight range and time, and autonomy creates challenges in deploying them in real-time based on information from manned aircraft, necessitating a system for airborne docking to enable flexible mission execution.
Innovation Solution
An airborne docking method and system that secures and releases UAVs using a docking assembly with a tug device and cable, allowing for transition between stowed and deployed configurations, and utilizing negative pressure and communication transceivers for engagement and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If UAVs take-off and land from a runway on land or an aircraft carrier, then the UAVs can be associated with certain flight ranges or flight times, but this rules out UAVs from consideration for performing certain missions that exceed their flight range or time
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV is deployed from the host aircraft during flight, allowing it to be positioned at optimal locations before missions begin. This preliminary deployment action enables the UAV to access remote areas and extend its effective operational range beyond what would be possible from fixed ground runways or aircraft carriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The host aircraft serves as an intermediary platform that carries the UAV to mission areas. This intermediary approach allows the UAV to operate from locations that would be inaccessible from ground-based operations, effectively extending the UAV's reachable mission space and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a manned aircraft acquires information in flight that gives rise to a desired mission, then real-time mission deployment is possible, but the mission may be too remote from a ready UAV launch-site to allow for a UAV to perform the desired mission
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static ground-based UAV launch sites to dynamic airborne deployment. The host aircraft can move to any location and deploy UAVs in real-time based on mission requirements, making the launch capability mobile and adaptable to changing operational needs and remote locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The host aircraft carries the UAV in flight to the specific location where the mission is required. This preliminary positioning action allows the UAV to be deployed exactly where and when it is needed, eliminating the constraint of fixed launch sites and enabling response to remotely acquired intelligence.
3Ease of operation
If the tug device is deployed from the base and the cable is extended to distance the tug device from the base, then the UAV can be engaged and disengaged, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the base mounted on the host aircraft, the extendable cable, and the tug device with engagement mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall operation by breaking down the complex docking process into manageable stages.
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 the deployment and retrieval of UAVs from a host aircraft, enhancing mission flexibility by allowing UAVs to be dispersed as needed, with improved aerodynamic stability and control during docking and retrieval processes.
Implementation Method 1
The UAV and the tug device may be collectively configured to create negative pressure therebetween as a result of fluid flowing by the UAV and the tug device so as to urge the UAV toward the tug device
Data Source
AI summary
An airborne docking method is provided for an unmanned aerial vehicle. The airborne docking method includes securing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to a host aircraft via a docking assembly having a base coupled to the host aircraft, a tug device, and a cable connecting the tug device to the base, the tug device being engaged with the base, and the UAV being engaged to the tug device. The tug device is deployed from the base and the cable is extended therebetween to distance the tug device from the base. The UAV is then disengaged from the tug device.