UAV Turntable Platform for Wind-Adaptive Launch and Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for launching and recovering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are labor-intensive, resource-consuming, and impractical for confined spaces due to wind direction changes and limited deck areas, requiring multiple equipment setups and manual reorientation.
Innovation Solution
A UAV platform equipped with a turntable assembly that allows precise angular control, integrating launch and recovery elements, enabling automatic adjustment to changing wind directions and accommodating various UAV interfaces, thus eliminating the need for multiple launchers and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple freestanding UAV launch and recovery systems are delivered to handle wind direction changes, then the capability to launch and recover UAVs under varying wind conditions is improved, but resource consumption and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates both launch and recovery functions into a single UAV platform, allowing the same system to perform multiple operations. The platform can launch UAVs in one direction and recover them from another direction by rotating its interface, eliminating the need for separate dedicated launch and recovery systems for each wind condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV platform incorporates a rotatable interface that can dynamically change orientation to face different directions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to changing wind directions by rotating the launch/recovery interface, providing the versatility of multiple fixed systems while using a single movable platform.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple freestanding UAV launch and recovery systems are set up to accommodate different wind directions, then the adaptability to wind changes is improved, but the device complexity and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (launch, recovery, rotation, and positioning) into a single integrated UAV platform. This merging of functions reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate freestanding systems for each function, as the platform performs all operations from one location through coordinated rotation and movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The single UAV platform serves as a universal system that can perform both launch and recovery operations in multiple directions, replacing the need for multiple specialized systems. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall equipment configuration while maintaining adaptability to various wind conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual reorientation of launch and recovery equipment is performed to adjust to wind changes, then the adaptability to wind direction is improved, but the time consumption and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable interface of the UAV platform enables dynamic reorientation to track changing wind directions. This dynamic capability allows the system to quickly adjust its orientation without manual intervention, reducing the time loss associated with static systems that require manual repositioning when wind conditions change.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can automatically detect wind direction changes and rotate its interface accordingly, performing the reorientation operation autonomously without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the labor-intensive manual reorientation process while maintaining adaptability to wind variations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If UAV launch and recovery equipment is deployed in confined spaces such as small vessel decks, then the operational flexibility is improved, but the available space for equipment placement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges launch, recovery, and rotation functions into a single compact UAV platform, significantly reducing the space required on vessel decks compared to multiple separate freestanding systems. This consolidation allows the equipment to be deployed in confined spaces while maintaining full operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single UAV platform performs multiple functions (launch, recovery, and directional adjustment) that would traditionally require separate systems, enabling deployment in confined spaces such as small vessel decks where space is at a premium. The rotatable interface provides multi-directional capability without requiring multiple fixed installations.
Data Source
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AI summary
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform includes a stationary base constructed and arranged to reside over a fixed location on a surface (e.g., a ground location, a ship's deck, a trailer or other vehicle, etc.). The UAV platform further includes a set of UAV interfaces constructed and arranged to interface directly with a UAV (e.g., a launcher, a net apparatus, etc.). The UAV platform further includes a turntable assembly which couples to the stationary base. The turntable assembly is constructed and arranged to couple to each UAV interface and control angular direction of that UAV interface over the fixed location. A method of operating a UAV platform includes deploying the UAV platform over a fixed location, preparing a UAV interface on a turntable assembly of the UAV platform, and rotating the turntable to control angular direction of the UAV interface over the fixed location.