Variable Geometry Airship Morphing for Speed and Endurance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft technologies face limitations in achieving both indefinite flight duration and high-speed capabilities, as lighter-than-air (LTA) aircraft are restricted by large size and low speed, while heavier-than-air (HTA) aircraft require continuous power and have limited flight time.
Innovation Solution
A variable geometry aircraft design featuring a flexible envelope and moveable internal structure, allowing conversion between LTA and HTA configurations, with adjustable longerons and envelope expansion arms to alter camber and thickness, enabling indefinite mission durations and high-speed capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If LTA aircraft use large gasbags to create buoyancy force, then indefinite flight duration is achieved, but large drag characteristics prevent high-speed travel
Solution Approach 1:
The airship employs variable geometry capabilities allowing it to dynamically change its shape and configuration. The flexible envelope and moveable internal structure enable transformation between high-drag LTA configuration and low-drag HTA configuration, resolving the contradiction between indefinite flight duration and high-speed travel capability
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft changes physical parameters such as envelope shape, camber, and thickness through moveable longerons and envelope expansion arms. This allows the airship to optimize its drag characteristics and buoyancy properties for different flight phases, achieving both slow-speed hovering and high-speed dash capabilities
2Speed
If HTA aircraft use wing structures moving through fluid, then high-speed flight is achieved, but power source limitations restrict flight time
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid airship combines multiple flight principles into a single platform. It can operate as LTA for indefinite duration missions, as HTA for high-speed dash, and in intermediate configurations, providing multi-functionality that resolves the contradiction between speed and flight time
Solution Approach 2:
The variable geometry system allows dynamic switching between LTA and HTA configurations. The moveable internal structure and flexible envelope enable the aircraft to adapt its lift generation mechanism based on mission requirements, achieving both high-speed capability and extended flight duration
3Adaptability or versatility
If variable geometry airship converts between LTA and HTA configurations, then both speed and indefinite flight are achieved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airship uses a flexible envelope that can passively adapt its shape through internal pressure changes and moveable structural elements. This flexible shell approach simplifies the conversion mechanism compared to rigid variable geometry systems, reducing operational complexity while maintaining configuration convertibility
Solution Approach 2:
The moveable internal structure and envelope expansion arms are designed to automatically adjust the airship's geometry based on flight conditions. The system uses internal pressure differentials and mechanical linkages to self-regulate the configuration changes, reducing the need for complex active control systems
4Use of energy by moving object
If airship transforms into symmetric neutral lift configuration, then low energy station keeping is achieved, but inability to transform into negative lift configuration reduces effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The airship employs asymmetric airfoil sections and moveable longerons that can create asymmetric shape configurations. This allows transformation into negative lift configurations where one wing generates more lift than the other, enabling banked turns and improved maneuverability while maintaining low-energy station-keeping capability in symmetric configuration
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
The aircraft achieves a unique combination of attributes, allowing for indefinite mission durations, low energy station keeping, and high-speed flight, while being portable, silent, and capable of operating even if the gas envelope is penetrated, with a propulsion system and gas storage and retrieval system for efficient conversion between configurations.
Implementation Method 1
LTA aircrafts use low-density gas, such as helium or hydrogen to float in higher density air. These aircrafts usually employ one or more gasbags filled with low-density gas to create a buoyancy force that offsets the weight of the aircraft.
Implementation Method 2
HTA aircrafts use Newton's third law and Bernoulli's principle to achieve flight. Airfoils are generally asymmetric in cross-section with the upper surface having a greater length than the lower surface. This causes air moving across the upper surface to travel faster than the air traveling across the lower surface causing a pressure decrease on the upper surface resulting in lift.
Implementation Method 3
Lift can also be achieved/altered by altering the angle of attack (AoA) of an airfoil relative to the oncoming airflow. Increased AoA causes mass deflection resulting in lift (Newton's third law).
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a variable geometry lighter-than-air (LTA) aircraft that is adapted to morph its shape from a symmetric cross-section buoyant craft to an asymmetric lifting body and even to a symmetric zero lift configuration. The basic structure is a semi rigid airship with movable longerons. Movement of the longerons adjusts the camber of the upper and/or lower surfaces to achieve varying shapes of the lifting-body. This transformation changes both the lift and drag characteristics of the craft to alter the flight characteristics. The transformation may be accomplished while the craft is airborne and does not require any ground support equipment.