Russian developer Georgy Brezgin patented an unusual wing design for drones, in which the fuel tank was replaced by a system of plastic tubes. This solution simultaneously reduces the weight of the apparatus, increases the rigidity of the structure, and simplifies production.
The development is primarily intended for light drones. Instead of a classic sealed tank inside the wing, engineers placed several connected tubes with liquid, passing through the structural power elements.
The main feature of the scheme is that the tubes perform two roles at once: they not only store fuel or working fluid but also additionally strengthen the wing during flight, taking on part of the loads.
According to the author's calculations, this reduces the wing's mass by approximately 3–8% compared to a traditional design. For light drones, such savings directly affect flight range and payload.
The wing also became easier to manufacture. The space inside the structure is filled with foam material, then covered with fiberglass and epoxy resin. This eliminates the need for complex sealing of internal cavities and reduces assembly costs.
To prevent the liquid inside the tubes from creating sharp impact loads during maneuvers, engineers provided special baffles. They reduce fuel sloshing and help maintain the drone's stability in the air.
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