Spring-Loaded Ejector Plate for UAV Jettison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UAV deployment methods are limited by battery power constraints, restricting flight duration and range, and conventional aircraft payload limitations, which hinder the transport and release of multirotor UAVs, often causing drag issues during jettison.
Innovation Solution
A UAV jettison apparatus featuring a payload bay with a spring-loaded ejector plate and releasable latch system, allowing for inverted mounting and efficient launch of UAVs, reducing drag by aligning the ejector plate with the aircraft's fairing after launch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the UAV is stored within the fuselage of the aircraft and jettisoned during release, then the UAV can be transported to the desired location, but the limited payload volume of the fuselage restricts various types of UAVs for transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from storing UAVs inside the fuselage to mounting them on the external payload bay. This dimensional change from internal to external storage allows UAVs of various sizes and configurations to be transported without being constrained by the limited internal fuselage volume, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining aircraft integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the bomb bay doors are opened during jettison, then the UAV can be released, but the bomb bay doors negatively affect flight performance due to drag occurring beneath the aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector plate is pre-positioned to cover the payload bay opening during flight, maintaining a streamlined aerodynamic profile. Upon UAV release, the ejector plate is rapidly deployed to close the opening, thereby eliminating drag before it can significantly impact flight performance. This preliminary positioning and rapid deployment strategy resolves the contradiction between release capability and drag reduction.
3Productivity
If a conventional release mechanism is used, then the UAV can be dropped, but the mechanism lacks the capability for controlled launching and positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple gravitational drop mechanisms with a spring-loaded ejector system. The spring mechanism provides controlled propulsion for rapid UAV deployment while maintaining relatively simple mechanical construction. This substitution achieves high deployment speed through elastic potential energy conversion without requiring complex mechanical systems, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
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 transport and deployment of various UAV types, including multirotor UAVs, while minimizing drag and extending operational range by optimizing the launch mechanism and reducing payload bay constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded mechanism for launching the ejector plate downwards from a stowed position to a launch position and comprising: one or more coil springs
Implementation Method 2
the one or more coil springs may bias the ejector plate downwards and away from the top plate to the launch position
Implementation Method 3
one or more linear bearing shafts
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) jettison apparatus. The UAV jettison apparatus may comprise a payload bay, fairing, ejector plate, and releasable latch. The payload bay may be mounted beneath an aircraft and may have an inner space and a top plate attached therewith. The fairing may substantially cover the inner space of the payload bay and may have an opening positioned directly below the top plate. The ejector plate, which may be spring-loaded, may substantially cover the opening and may be used to mount the UAV. The releasable latch, which may be disposed between the top plate and the ejector plate, may releasably lock and hold the UAV in a stowed position and, upon release, may allow the ejector plate to move into a launch position, such that the UAV is released and jettisoned from a larger aircraft.