Wind power generation system for lighter than air (LTA) platforms

a technology of wind power generation and platform, which is applied in the direction of lighter-than-air aircraft, transportation and packaging, instruments, etc., can solve the problems of difficult realization of the full endurance potential of lta isr&c system, limited transit range and time-on-station of electric power systems relying on fossil fuels

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-08-11
NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYST CORP
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  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Current propulsion and electric power systems that rely on fossil fuels provide both limited transit range and time-on-station.
As a result of these limitations, the full endurance potential of LTA ISR&C systems has been difficult to realize.
Photovoltaic solutions can provide additional power to propulsors and payloads, but have their own limitations which include conversion efficiencies, restriction to daylight operations, and weather and weight issues.

Method used

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  • Wind power generation system for lighter than air (LTA) platforms
  • Wind power generation system for lighter than air (LTA) platforms
  • Wind power generation system for lighter than air (LTA) platforms

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Embodiment Construction

[0013]One source of abundant energy that LTA platforms have is the capability of station-keeping with continual access to wind at altitude. In order to exploit this energy resource for LTA platforms, in one aspect, the invention employs an apparatus, referred to herein as an Anchored Power Generation (APG) system. The APG system concept of operation begins with a tethering or anchoring of the LTA platform at an appropriate altitude. For a mobile airship, an anchor line (i.e., a tether) is lowered from the airship with an anchor at the end. Various types of anchors can be used, wherein the selected type would be appropriate for either maritime operations (e.g., a sand or water drag anchor) or land operations (e.g., a grappling anchor, harpoon). For the case of an aerostat, it is assumed that the LTA platform is already tethered.

[0014]The APG concept includes an onboard wind turbine electric power generation system. For an aerostat, this wind turbine provides continuous power to onboa...

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Abstract

An apparatus includes a lighter than air platform, a reversible propulsive/wind turbine, a deployable anchor to constrain movement of the lighter than air platform with respect to an anchor point allowing wind to drive the turbine, and a generator/motor coupled to the turbine to produce electrical power when movement of the lighter than air platform is constrained. A method performed by the apparatus is also provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to electric power generation for lighter than air (LTA) platforms.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Lighter than air (LTA) platforms are enjoying renewed interest in a variety of applications. In addition to traditional uses such as advertising and promotion, there is increased interest in LTA platforms for both civil and military Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Communications (ISR&C) applications.[0003]The long endurance and low fuel consumption rates inherent in LTA systems are attractive attributes for persistent airborne ISR&C applications. An increasing demand for LTA platforms to provide a significant time-on-station capability, whether they are tethered aerostats or mobile airships, places increasing energy demands on long term power for both its payload and propulsion energy system. Current propulsion and electric power systems that rely on fossil fuels provide both limited transit range and time-on-station. T...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B64B1/00C25B9/00C25B1/04
CPCB64B1/00B64B1/50
Inventor DIMARZIO, DONALDHILGEMAN, THEODORE W.DEBIASIO, ALICEHUNT, THOMAS J.FREI, DOUGLAS R.CHARLETTA, ROY A.MELNYK, MICHAEL
Owner NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYST CORP
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