Venturi Airframe Shroud for Safe Drone Thrust and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drones pose safety concerns due to exposed spinning propellers, create turbulence with protective cages, and lack aesthetic appeal, making them unsuitable for recreational use, especially for young users.
Innovation Solution
An airframe configuration that conceals the propulsion system, utilizing a Venturi effect to maintain airflow and thrust while providing increased stability and maneuverability, allowing for the placement of objects to create a visually appealing and safe flying experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective cage is used to encase the drone, then safety is improved by protecting users from exposed propellers, but thrust efficiency deteriorates due to turbulence created by the cage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a shroud made of transparent or translucent material that conforms to the contours of the propellers, creating a smooth aerodynamic surface that reduces turbulence while maintaining safety protection. This flexible shell approach allows the protective covering to follow the propeller geometry rather than creating a rigid cage structure that disrupts airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The shroud design copies the aerodynamic contours of the propellers, creating a streamlined enclosure that maintains efficient airflow patterns. By replicating the smooth curves and shapes of the rotating blades in the stationary shroud structure, the design minimizes flow separation and turbulence while providing protective coverage.
2Loss of energy
If propellers are exposed for efficiency, then thrust performance is improved, but safety deteriorates due to risk of bodily harm from collision with spinning propellers
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent or translucent shroud material is used to cover the propellers, allowing visual monitoring of propeller rotation and airflow patterns while providing a physical barrier that prevents direct contact with spinning blades. The transparency maintains aesthetic appeal and flight visibility while the physical barrier ensures user safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The shroud acts as an intermediary element between the user and the propellers, providing indirect protection while maintaining the functional performance of the exposed propeller system. This intermediate structure allows the propellers to operate exposed for efficiency while transferring the safety function to the shroud barrier.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a cage is used to protect the drone, then safety is improved, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates due to turbulence and reduced thrust efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The shroud uses a flexible or conforming shell structure that adapts to the propeller geometry, creating a smooth surface that minimizes flow disruption. This approach contrasts with rigid cage structures by using materials and forms that maintain laminar airflow while providing protective coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The shroud design incorporates curved and streamlined surfaces that follow aerodynamic principles, avoiding sharp edges and flat surfaces that would create turbulence. The curved geometry of the shroud promotes smooth airflow transitions and reduces drag, maintaining high aerodynamic performance while providing safety protection.
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 airframe design enhances safety by hiding propellers, reduces turbulence, and maintains dynamic thrust and performance, enabling stable and responsive flight, suitable for indoor and outdoor use with added weight capacity and crash resistance.
Implementation Method 1
The airframe may be configured to create a Venturi effect into a drone-like propulsion system
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for an airframe of a volitant body are presented herein. An apparatus may include a body having a normal axis. The body comprising a central air passage communicating through the body along the normal axis of the body. The central air passage may have an inlet at a first end of the body and an outlet at a second end of the body, the second end being opposite the first end. The central air passage may form an interior surface of the body. The central air passage permitting a flow of air through the body via the central air passage. The inlet may be formed to produce a Venturi effect in the flow of air passing through the central air passage from the inlet to the outlet by choking the flow of air at the inlet.