Wing-in-Ground Airfoil Hovering Without Runway Dependence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerospace technologies, such as rotary-wing aircraft and fixed-wing aircraft, face limitations in range and efficiency due to inefficiencies in horizontal movement and the need for runways for take-off and landing.
Innovation Solution
The development of wing-in-ground effect vehicles equipped with airfoils that utilize blown air for hovering and provide lift during forward movement, eliminating the need for runways and approaching the efficiencies of fixed-wing aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rotary-wing aircraft are used for vertical take-off and landing, then hover capability is achieved, but range and efficiency are limited due to inefficiencies in horizontal movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hover capability of rotary-wing aircraft with the efficient horizontal flight of fixed-wing aircraft into a single vehicle system. The vehicle uses airfoils that can generate lift during hovering and forward movement, combining functions that were previously separate into different aircraft types.
Solution Approach 2:
The airfoils are designed to dynamically adapt their function based on vehicle motion state. During hovering, the airfoils work in conjunction with blown air to maintain position; during forward movement, they generate aerodynamic lift efficiently, allowing the system to optimize performance for each operational phase.
2Productivity
If fixed-wing aircraft are used for efficient horizontal movement, then range and speed are improved, but runway infrastructure is required for take-off and landing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the runway infrastructure requirement from the fixed-wing aircraft system by incorporating vertical take-off and landing capability through blown air and airfoil design. This allows the vehicle to achieve efficient horizontal flight without dependence on runway infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If airfoils utilize blown air for hovering, then instantaneous hover capability is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic or controlled blown air activation through channels in the airfoils, providing lift during hovering phases while allowing the vehicle to transition to aerodynamic lift during forward flight, thereby managing energy consumption through phased operation of the blown air system.
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 airfoil design enables vehicles to achieve the range and speed of fixed-wing aircraft while maintaining instantaneous hover capability, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
wing-in-ground effect vehicles
Implementation Method 2
airfoils that utilize blown air for hovering and provide lift during forward movement
Data Source
AI summary
Wing-in-ground effect (WIG) vehicles are disclosed herein. Hovercraft takeoff and landing modes are disclosed herein. Uses of WIG vehicles, including for maritime monitoring, are disclosed herein.