Automated Aerostat Control Using Tethers and Propulsors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerostat systems require continuous human crew availability for launch and landing, which is costly and hazardous, especially in extreme weather conditions, and lack automated control capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An automated aerostat system with a ground station, tethers, sensors, and actuators, and a computerized flight controller that enables autonomous launch, flight, and landing, using actively controlled tethers, aerodynamic control surfaces, and propulsors to manage aerostat behavior, eliminating the need for human crew presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human crews are used for aerostat launch and landing operations, then operational control and safety monitoring are improved, but operational costs increase and human safety risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The aerostat system performs launch and landing operations autonomously without human intervention. The automated control system monitors operational parameters, detects weather conditions, and executes launch/landing sequences independently, allowing the system to serve itself and eliminating the need for human crews during hazardous operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical control operations are replaced with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators to manage aerostat launch and landing. This substitution of mechanical human operations with automated systems maintains operational control while eliminating human exposure to safety risks.
2Productivity
If human crews are required for round-the-clock aerostat operations, then operational responsiveness is improved, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control system enables the aerostat to independently manage its own launch, flight, and landing operations at any time without requiring human crew availability. This self-service capability allows round-the-clock operations while eliminating the need for continuous human presence, reducing operational costs while maintaining responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system enables continuous operational capability without interruption by human factors such as fatigue, shifts, or availability. The control system can respond immediately to operational needs at any time, ensuring continuous useful action while eliminating the complexity of coordinating human crew schedules.
3Device complexity
If automated control systems are implemented, then operational costs decrease and safety improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control system performs multiple functions including weather monitoring, navigation, launch control, landing control, and safety management within a single integrated platform. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems, managing complexity while achieving comprehensive automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between environmental sensors and aerostat actuators, processing sensor data and automatically executing appropriate control actions. This intermediary function automates the decision-making process while maintaining system manageability through modular architecture and standardized interfaces.
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 system allows for routine autonomous operation of aerostat phases, reducing operational costs and hazards by enabling automated launch, flight, and landing, and improving safety by eliminating the need for continuous human crew availability.
Implementation Method 1
a lighter-than-air balloon (102) that may support one or more payloads
Implementation Method 2
one or more sensors (310) to determine an orientation of the balloon, one or more sensors to determine a location of the balloon
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein enable routine autonomous execution of at least some major phases of aerostat operation in response to commands from human or automated external operators, a built-in decision-making capacity, or both. Various embodiments combine one or more actively controlled tethers, aerodynamic aerostat control surfaces, mechanical assistive devices (e.g., jointed arms attached to a ground station), and/or active propulsors attached to the aerostat to govern aerostat behavior during launch, flight, and landing phases of operation. Some embodiments enable automatic autonomous performance of all phases of routine post-commissioning aerostat operation, including launch, flight, and landing, without any routine need for availability of a human crew.