VTOL Landing Gear Sensors for 3D Slope Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous VTOL aircraft face challenges in identifying suitable landing sites, particularly in environments with slopes, which can lead to tip-over risks due to the lack of effective terrain mapping and orientation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The aircraft is equipped with a multifocal altitude sensor array integrated into the landing gear, generating a three-dimensional terrain map to identify suitable landing sites and autonomously orient the aircraft for stable landing, using radar altimeters and a flight control system to determine foot contact and adjust orientation relative to slopes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If autonomous VTOL aircraft use simple altitude sensing for landing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of terrain data is insufficient leading to tip-over risks
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft divides the terrain mapping function into multiple focal points by distributing altitude sensors across different locations on the airframe. Each sensor measures altitude at its specific location, and the flight control system integrates these segmented measurements to construct a comprehensive three-dimensional terrain map, achieving high measurement precision without requiring a single complex sensor system
Solution Approach 2:
The altitude sensor array serves multiple functions: it provides terrain mapping data for landing site selection, generates three-dimensional terrain maps for orientation determination, and enables autonomous landing on sloped surfaces. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the sensor system universally applicable to various landing scenarios without proportionally increasing complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the aircraft uses a single altitude sensor, then the device complexity is minimized, but the ability to generate three-dimensional terrain maps and identify suitable landing sites is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from single-point altitude measurement to multi-point spatial measurement by distributing sensors across the airframe. This dimensional expansion from one to multiple measurement points enables the construction of three-dimensional terrain maps, providing the adaptability needed for landing site selection and orientation on varied terrain
Solution Approach 2:
The flight control system performs preliminary terrain mapping and landing site identification before the actual landing occurs. By using the altitude sensor array to generate three-dimensional terrain maps in advance, the system can pre-select suitable landing sites and determine optimal orientation, enhancing adaptability without requiring complex real-time decision-making during landing
3Reliability
If the aircraft lands without terrain mapping capability, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the reliability of safe landing is compromised due to tip-over risks on sloped surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The altitude sensor array provides real-time feedback about terrain elevation at multiple points during the landing approach. The flight control system uses this feedback to continuously update the three-dimensional terrain map, identify sloped surfaces, and adjust the landing orientation accordingly, ensuring reliable safe landing through closed-loop control
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action to prevent tip-over by identifying and characterizing terrain slopes before landing. By using the altitude sensor array to generate terrain maps in advance, the flight control system can determine appropriate landing orientations that counteract gravitational forces on sloped surfaces, preventing tip-over risks before they occur
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 aircraft to autonomously select and stabilize on landing sites, preventing tip-overs by generating accurate terrain maps and adjusting its orientation based on slope data, ensuring safe and stable landings.
Implementation Method 1
the altitude sensors may be radar altimeters configured to reflect radio waves off the surface
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft includes an airframe with a thrust array attached thereto. The thrust array includes a plurality of propulsion assemblies that are independently controlled by a flight control system. A landing gear assembly is coupled to the airframe and includes a plurality of landing feet. An altitude sensor array includes a plurality of altitude sensors each of which is disposed within one of the landing feet such that when the aircraft is in the VTOL orientation, the altitude sensor array is configured to obtain multifocal altitude data relative to a landing surface. The flight control system is configured to generate a three-dimensional terrain map of the surface based upon the multifocal altitude data.