Shipboard UAV Launch Pole and Rotating Arm Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems require a flight deck or runway for launching and recovering UAV aircraft from ships, leading to increased weight, cost, and complexity due to the need for catapults, arresting gear, landing gear, and high lift devices, which are not feasible for all ship types and conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a pole member and an arm member attached to a ship's deck, allowing for rotational and vertical movement to launch and recover UAVs without a flight deck, using a spiral motion for launch and circular spiral descent for recovery, eliminating the need for traditional launch and recovery structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flight deck with catapult and arresting gear is used for UAV launch and recovery, then the UAV can be launched and recovered from ships, but the weight and support cost of the ship increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of launch and recovery from the traditional flight deck system. Instead of requiring a full flight deck with catapult and arresting gear, the invention uses a simple pole-mounted arm mechanism that can be attached to any ship deck, eliminating the need for heavy specialized structures while maintaining UAV operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The launch and recovery system is segmented into separate functional components: the pole member provides vertical support, the arm member provides rotational movement for launch, and the attachment mechanism provides capture. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces overall system weight compared to an integrated flight deck
2Ease of operation
If a flight deck with catapult and arresting gear is used for UAV launch and recovery, then the UAV can be launched and recovered from ships, but the support cost of the ship increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the core functionality from expensive flight deck infrastructure, replacing it with a simple pole and arm mechanism that can be manufactured at low cost and attached to standard ship decks, significantly reducing both initial manufacturing cost and ongoing support expenses
Solution Approach 2:
The pole-mounted arm system uses simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced or adjusted as needed, unlike expensive flight deck infrastructure. The attachment mechanism can be quickly installed and removed from different ship types without requiring permanent modifications to the vessel
3Ease of operation
If landing gear and high lift devices are installed on the UAV, then the UAV can operate from ships, but the weight and cost of the UAV increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the launch and recovery functions from the UAV itself and places them in the external pole-mounted system. This eliminates the need for heavy landing gear, catapult attachment points, and high lift devices on the UAV, reducing its weight while maintaining shipboard operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The pole-mounted arm serves as an intermediary between the ship and the UAV. It provides the necessary mechanical interface for launch and recovery without requiring modifications to the UAV's structure, allowing the UAV to maintain a simpler, lighter design
4Strength
If high strength flight deck structure is used to withstand launch loads and deck impact, then the ship can support UAV operations, but the weight and support cost of the ship increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the structural requirements from the flight deck by using a separate pole-mounted system. The pole and arm structure bears the launch and recovery loads independently, allowing the ship's deck to be a standard, lighter structure rather than requiring high-strength reinforcement
Solution Approach 2:
The structural load path is segmented into the pole member (vertical loads), arm member (rotational loads), and attachment mechanism (capture loads). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific load requirements rather than requiring the entire deck structure to withstand all possible forces
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 reduces the weight and cost of both the UAV and the ship, enabling safe and reliable operations in various weather conditions and sea states, equivalent to manned aircraft operations, by eliminating the need for landing gear, high lift devices, and reducing structural requirements.
Implementation Method 1
Momentum of the UAV aircraft causes the arm member to move rotationally around and vertically on the pole member when the UAV aircraft is coupled to the attachment mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A system to launch and recover an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) aircraft has a pole member attached to a deck of a ship. An arm member is attached to the pole member and extends away from the pole member in an approximately horizontal direction. The arm member is able to move rotationally and vertically on the pole member. An attachment mechanism is attached to a distal end of the arm member for holding and capturing the UAV aircraft. Momentum of the UAV aircraft causes the arm member to move rotationally around and vertically on the pole member when the UAV aircraft is coupled to the attachment mechanism.