Aircraft grounding system

Liquid dispensing assemblies including adhesive anchoring assemblies configured to adhere to a support surface external to a device such as a vehicle. An air vehicle includes (a) a fluid adhesive container assembly detachably attached to the air vehicle, wherein the fluid adhesive container assembly comprises: (i) an adhesive container comprising fluid adhesive; and (ii) one or more fibers, wherein the one or more fibers are configured, or a brush of fibers, or a fabric of fibers, is configured to conduct the fluid adhesive and to structurally support an adhesive bond between the one or more fibers and a surface; and (b) means for dispensing the fluid adhesive from the fluid adhesive container, to the one or more fibers.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments pertain to deployable adhesive anchoring systems and particularly to adhesive anchoring systems for aircraft.

BACKGROUND

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may land or alight on a surface on which the UAV may slide due to gravity or other forces such as aerodynamic forces. A UAV may land or alight on, or position itself proximate to, a surface on which the UAV may be tasked to apply a liquid-based pigment to a target region of the surface. The use of beacons, antenna elements, and/or instrumentation packets may require rapid affixing of such devices to surfaces or available support structures.

SUMMARY

Embodiments include liquid dispensing assemblies including adhesive anchoring assemblies configured to adhere to a support surface external to a vehicle. For example, an assembly may comprise: (a) an assembly housing comprising a fluid reservoir; (b) a resilient member disposed proximate to the assembly housing; and (c) a fluid conduit configured to pierce the reservoir responsive to a decompression of the resilient member. In some embodiments, the fluid may be an adhesive. In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises a liquid infusible brush. In still other embodiments, the fluid reservoir may be a liquid adhesive reservoir and the liquid infusible brush may be a liquid adhesive infusible brush. The fluid conduit may be configured to pierce the reservoir via a frusto-conical tip.

Embodiments may include a system comprising a vehicle and an adhesive anchoring assembly configured to adhere to a support surface external to the vehicle. For example, a portion of the adhesive anchoring assembly may be detachable. A portion of the adhesive anchoring assembly may be configured to rotate into a deployed position. The adhesive anchoring assembly may comprise a liquid adhesive reservoir and a liquid adhesive infusible brush.

Embodiments may include methods of attachment and detachable attachment. For example, a method of adhesive bonding may comprise: (a) providing an adhesive in a positive pressure reservoir having positive pressure above local atmospheric pressure to force a portion of the adhesive along a conduit to an application surface under local atmospheric pressure; and (b) releasing a resiliently loaded conduit having a tip configured to pierce the reservoir when the resiliently loaded conduit is unloaded. The exemplary reservoir may be detachably attached to a support structure, e.g., an air vehicle fuselage, and the method may further comprise detaching the reservoir from the support structure. Another exemplary method of detachably anchoring a device via adhesive bonding may comprise: (a) detachably attaching a positive pressure reservoir to a device, e.g., an air vehicle, an transmitter, or an illuminator, wherein the positive pressure reservoir contains an adhesive, and wherein the reservoir containing the adhesive has positive pressure above local atmosphere to force a portion of the adhesive along a conduit to an application surface under local atmospheric pressure; (b) releasing a resiliently loaded conduit having a tip configured to pierce the reservoir when the resiliently loaded conduit is unloaded; and (c) deploying the application surface to a surface of a support structure, e.g., a target anchoring surface. The exemplary reservoir may be fixedly attached to the support structure via the application surface connected to the conduit, itself connected to the detachable reservoir, and the method may further comprise detaching the reservoir from the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is made to the drawings that illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention.FIGS. 1A,1B, and1C illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention where, inFIG. 1A, a vertical takeoff and landing craft (VTOL) aircraft110such as a helicopter descends to a landing surface120. A contact member130is extended inFIG. 1Bfrom the aircraft110until the contact member makes contact with a portion of the landing surface120. The contact member130, either before or after making contact with the portion of the landing surface120, may be infused or otherwise provided with an adhesive liquid causing the contact member130to bond with the portion of the landing surface120. An attachment member140connects the contact member130to the aircraft110. Accordingly, the aircraft110may be adhesively anchored to the landing surface120. The attachment member140may detachably attach to either the aircraft110, the contact member130, or both. In particular, the attachment member140may detach from the aircraft110or the contact member130, and the aircraft110, being no longer anchored to the landing surface120, may resume flight as shown inFIG. 1C. Similarly,FIGS. 2A,2B, and2C illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention where, inFIG. 2A, a fixed wing aircraft210descends to a landing surface120. InFIG. 2Ba contact member130is extended from the aircraft and contacts a portion of the landing surface120. The contact member130may be detachably attached from the aircraft210and the detached aircraft210may free to resume flight as shown inFIG. 2C.

FIG. 3Ashows an assembly comprising an aircraft310attached to a liquid adhesive reservoir by an attachment_1320. A channel or conduit330may be provided between the liquid adhesive reservoir340and a brush assembly350such as a filament array, bristle array, or an array of bundles, strips of fabric, cotton balls, or clumps of cloth. The liquid adhesive reservoir340may be attached by attachment_2360to the filament array350. Before or after the filament array350contacts the anchoring surface370, the liquid adhesive may flow from the liquid adhesive reservoir340to the filament array350via the conduit330as shown inFIG. 3B. The filament elements of the filament array350having liquid adhesive provide the anchoring surface370with bonding areas. Once elements of the filament array350have bonded to the anchoring surface370, the aircraft may be adhesively anchored to the anchoring surface370. To free itself from the anchor provided by the bonded elements of the filament array350, the aircraft may be detached via release of attachment_1320as shown inFIG. 3Cor release of attachment_2360as shown inFIG. 3D, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 4shows an assembly comprising a cylinder410for containing a liquid adhesive reservoir where the assembly further comprises an attachment joint420at a proximal end of the cylinder and an array of filaments430, bristles, or fabric strips, at the distal end of the cylinder. A channel or conduit may be provided within the cylinder410between the liquid adhesive reservoir and the filament array430for conducting the flow of the liquid adhesive to the filament array, where the filament array may be in contact with a surface for anchoring.FIG. 4also shows the assembly may be stowed, prior to deployment, in a dispensing case440.

FIG. 5Ashows in cross-section the cylinder510having a plunger511with a shaft512piercing a stopper513.FIG. 5Bshows the liquid adhesive520may be expressed from the cylinder510as the plunger511moves toward the opening514.FIG. 5Cshows the brush530of the distal portion515of the cylinder510may disperse its fibers or filaments in such a fashion as to provide contact with uneven surfaces540.FIG. 6Ashows in cross-section the cylinder610having a pointed spring-loaded shaft611held in place by a pin612.FIG. 6Bshows that with the pin removed, the pointed spear611may pierce a seal613of the liquid adhesive reservoir, allowing the liquid glue to flow to the bundle of bristles or filaments530.FIG. 7Ashows the cylinder710having a threaded shaft711with a threaded seal/stopper712. A liquid adhesive reservoir720is shown disposed between the threaded seal/stopper712and the brush assembly530.FIG. 7Bshows that a rotation713of the threaded shaft711causes the threaded seal712to translate toward the distal end715of the cylinder710, thereby expressing the liquid adhesive730from the reservoir720.FIG. 8Ashows in perspective view a dispensing case810comprising three rotatably and detachably attached brush-cylinder systems821-823.FIG. 8Bshows a rotational degree of freedom of a cylinder glue dispensing embodiment821of the present invention.FIG. 8Cshows a dispensing case810in a top view with a first cylinder821elevated.FIG. 8Dshows in a side view a dispensing case810mounted within a body820with the distal brush element830of the cylinder821rotationally brought into contact with a surface840. A leg850is shown attached to the body820providing elevational support of the body820from the contact surface840.FIG. 8Eshows a portion of the dispensing case assembly810where a drive gear assembly effects860the rotation of a worm gear861causing a threaded shaft862to rotate a first cylinder821, and if the threaded shaft is further rotated, to disengage the joint of the cylinder821—leaving the cylinder821mechanically disconnected from the dispensing case. Further rotation of the drive gear causes the next cylinder822to rotationally extend.FIG. 9shows a dispensing case810disposed on the underside of an aircraft920. Shown also inFIG. 9are four legs931-934extending from the body of the aircraft.

FIG. 10shows an embodiment of the liquid adhesive storage and deployment assembly1000where the liquid adhesive reservoir1010and the conduit and brush assembly portion1020are stowed parallel to one another. The conduit1021has a piercing aperture1022disposed on a gooseneck conduit1023. The conduit and brush assembly portion1020may be rotated, e.g., by a released spring-loaded rotating joint assembly, into and piercing a seal1011of a liquid adhesive reservoir1010. The contents1012of the reservoir1010, or glue packet may be under pressure via a clamp spring1030. The contents1012of the reservoir1010may be under pressure, e.g., via a clamp via a gas bladder, where such embodiments may be applicable in environments with nominal atmospheric pressure variation.FIG. 11shows the conduit and brush assembly1020having rotated approximately 90 degrees causing the piercing aperture1022to pierce the seal1011of the liquid adhesive reservoir1010and set up a path for the adhesive to flow to the bristles or filaments of the brush1140.FIG. 12Ashows the liquid adhesive reservoir1010and the conduit and brush assembly portion1020are stowed parallel to one another within a portion of an aircraft fuselage1200having fixed pedestal legs1211,1212, and that the conduit and brush assembly portion1020may rotate to a position orthogonal and extending from the fuselage1200. The conduit and brush assembly portion1020may rotate before or after the aircraft lands on a contact surface.FIG. 12Bshows an example of the brushes of the assembly in contact with the contact surface1220.FIG. 13Ashows another embodiment of the liquid adhesive storage and deployment assembly1300having a spring-loaded conduit and brush assembly portion1320having a loaded spring1321that may be held in place by a pin1322and solenoid or servo actuated1323. The brush assembly may be further bundled via a brush filament conduit such as a silicone conduit having a distal end, for example, a brush tip. For some embodiments, the brush filament conduit may be comprised of a wrapped KEVLAR tube.FIG. 13Bshows that with the pin1322retracted, the conduit and brush assembly1320has been thrust into and has penetrated the liquid adhesive reservoir seal1011.FIG. 13Cshows the liquid adhesive reservoir and the conduit and brush assembly portion of the embodiment1301ofFIG. 13Brotated to extend the brush portion1350out of the fuselage1200and onto a contact surface1220. Rather than pivoting about a point of rotation, the assembly may be configured so that a portion of the assembly rotates or bends to deploy the brush assembly.

FIG. 14Ashows in a cross-sectional view another embodiment of the liquid adhesive storage and deployment assembly1400where a flexible lineal conduit1421has a piercing aperture1422proximate to the liquid adhesive reservoir1410. A collar member1480is shown external to a brush filament conduit1451. The brush filament bundle1450is shown extending from the end of the brush filament conduit1451distal from the liquid adhesive reservoir1410.FIG. 14Bshows in a cross-sectional view the distal portion of the assembly ofFIG. 14Awhere the flexible lineal conduit1421terminates before the end of the brush filament conduit1451and where a portion of a spring wire1481, as an example of a resilient member, is in contact with, or fixed to, the collar1480.FIG. 15shows in a side view the spring wire1481in contact with the collar1480, where the collar is disposed about the brush filament conduit1451. Another portion of the spring1583is disposed on a mounting sleeve or mounting case1590as seen inFIG. 15. The spring wire1481is compressed and held in place by a pin1582.FIG. 16shows in a side view the spring wire1481is in a restored, i.e., uncompressed, position and the brush filament conduit1451is deflected thereby reorienting the brush filament bundle1450.FIG. 17illustrates in a cross-sectional view the deflection of the brush filament conduit1451which places pressure in the distal end portion of the flexible lineal conduit1421, a pressure that works to drive the piercing aperture1422into the liquid adhesive reservoir1410via a pierced seal1711. Accordingly, the assembly1700is shown in a deployed state having a brush filament bundle1450receiving liquid from the reservoir1410and positioned for application to an exemplary surface1701.FIG. 18illustrates in a cross-sectional view a portion of an exemplary assembly1800where an adhesive reservoir1810may comprise a threaded portion1811for secure assembly.FIG. 19Aillustrates in a front view a reservoir spring clasp1900.FIG. 19Billustrates in a side view a reservoir spring clasp1900.FIG. 20illustrates in a cross-sectional view a portion of an exemplary assembly1800where an adhesive reservoir1810may have a reservoir spring clasp1900apply pressure to the reservoir1810.

FIG. 21illustrates in a perspective view an exemplary frusto-conical tip2100of an embodiment of the present invention that may be disposed on an end of an adhesive flow conduit1421. The exemplary frusto-conical tip2100is depicted as including a cylindrical attachment band portion2110. The exemplary frusto-conical tip2100may be embodied having opposing teardrop-shaped apertures where a first teardrop-shaped aperture2120is shown inFIG. 21depicted having opposing teardrop-shaped apertures, the narrow portions of the teardrop distal from the conduit, the wider portions of the teardrop proximate to the cylindrical band, and where the teardrop-shaped apertures are shown disposed on the conic portion of the tip.FIG. 22illustrates in an elevational side view an exemplary frusto-conical tip2100of an embodiment of the present invention having a teardrop-shaped aperture2120.FIG. 23illustrates in a top view an exemplary frusto-conical tip2100of an embodiment of the present invention and depicts the first teardrop-shaped aperture2120opposing a second teardrop-shaped aperture2121.FIG. 24illustrates in an elevational front view an exemplary frusto-conical tip2100of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25illustrates in a cross-sectional view another embodiment of the present invention comprising an adhesive flow conduit1421having a frusto-conical tip2100proximate to the adhesive reservoir seal1711.FIG. 26illustrates a cross-sectional view of the deflected embodiment of the present invention depicted inFIG. 25where the frusto-conical tip2100is shown piercing the adhesive reservoir seal1711.

FIG. 27illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a deflected embodiment of the present invention depicted inFIG. 25where the frusto-conical tip2100has pierced the adhesive reservoir seal1711and where the adhesive of the reservoir flows into the conduit1421via the teardrop-shaped apertures2120,2121of the frusto-conical tip2100. Expanded depictions are shown inFIGS. 28 and 29where inFIG. 28is illustrated a cross-sectional view of a portion of the embodiment of the present invention depicted inFIG. 25, and where inFIG. 29is illustrated a cross-sectional view of a portion of a deflected embodiment of the present invention depicted inFIG. 25.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide a system for use in temporarily affixing an aircraft to the ground and in which the aircraft has a removable gripper, or anchor unit attached to the undercarriage. The anchor or gripper unit has a frame containing three ground-lock tubes. Each tube connects to an actuation system configured to extend the tube down such that a brush portion at the end of the tube is pressed against the tube, splaying the brush filaments on the ground. Embodiments of the invention include an adhesive reservoir that may be a tube having an inner piston configured to eject an adhesive such as, for example, a tenacious adhesive type substance, which is stored within the tube, out of the tube and through the brush portion. For example, cyanoacrylate is the generic name for cyanoacrylate-based, fast-acting glues such as methyl-2-cyanoacrylate, ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate (commonly sold under trade names like The Original Super Glue® and Krazy Glue), n-butyl-cyanoacrylate (used in the veterinary glues Vetbond and LiquiVet and skin glues like Indermil and Histoacryl). 2-octyl cyanoacrylate is the medical grade glue encountered under various trade names, e.g. SurgiSeal™, FloraSeal™, Dermabond™, and Nexaband™. The liquid adhesive such as a cyanoacrylate adhesive binds the plane to the ground once the adhesive dries. To provide the aircraft with stability during windy conditions, the ground point to which the brush attaches may be located directly below the aircraft center of drag, or proximate to that location. The tube actuation system may be configured to release the tube when it is time for the aircraft to be released from the ground.