Wing Positioning System for Flight Vehicle Payload Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flight vehicles require manual adjustment of the center of gravity and aerodynamic center of pressure to maintain stability and efficiency, which is time-consuming and prone to errors, especially when dealing with varying payloads.
Innovation Solution
An automated wing deployment positioning system that adjusts the launch position of wings relative to the fuselage based on the type of payload coupled to the vehicle, using a wing positioning system with engagement members and biasing mechanisms to limit translational movement and prevent pitch rotation, ensuring the center of pressure aligns with the center of gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual ballast adjustment is used to maintain center of gravity relationship, then flight stability can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The wing positioning system automatically adjusts the wing location along the fuselage to maintain proper center of gravity relationship, eliminating the need for manual ballast adjustment. The system self-regulates based on payload conditions, making the adjustment process autonomous and error-free.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing position is made dynamically adjustable along the fuselage rather than fixed, allowing the system to adapt to varying payload conditions. This dynamic positioning capability enables automatic compensation for center of gravity shifts without manual intervention.
2Reliability
If manual ballast adjustment is used, then center of gravity balance can be achieved, but the process is complex and requires repeated checking
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines and executes the required wing position adjustment based on payload mass and center of gravity location, eliminating the complex manual calculation and adjustment process with repeated checking.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment of ballast is replaced with an automated control system that calculates and positions the wing electronically, simplifying the overall process while maintaining accuracy.
3Productivity
If fixed wing position is used, then structure is simple, but flight efficiency decreases with varying payloads
Solution Approach 1:
The wing position is made dynamically adjustable along the fuselage to optimize flight efficiency for different payload conditions, while the system remains relatively simple in implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing positioning system serves multiple functions: it optimizes flight efficiency for various payloads, maintains center of gravity relationship, and adapts to different mission requirements, justifying its inclusion despite added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system of a flight vehicle automatically varies the relationship between the center of gravity and the center of pressure of the flight vehicle. The control system automatically adjusts a center of pressure of the flight vehicle depending on a varying payload or payload type that is removably couplable to the flight vehicle. The control system automatically limits translational movement of the one or more wings of the flight vehicle in response to coupling of a payload to a fuselage of the flight vehicle.