Light-Redirecting Airship Envelope for Multi-Device Power Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lighter than air vehicles, which rely on buoyant gases for lift, face limitations in their airborne duration due to the need for continuous power to maintain altitude and redirect light for various applications such as telecommunications and observation, and existing solutions do not efficiently manage light redirection for multiple devices or remote aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A lighter than air vehicle with a transparent or translucent envelope that allows light to pass through and includes a system for selectively redirecting light using mirrors, deformable mirrors, and inflatable pouches, allowing light to be focused onto specific devices or remote aircraft, with sensors and transceivers for precise positioning and power generation using solar panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the envelope is made transparent or translucent to allow light passage, then light can be redirected for multiple applications, but the vehicle experiences heating and pressure issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mirrors as intermediary elements positioned between the transparent envelope and the devices. These mirrors redirect light onto selected devices without requiring the light to directly pass through the envelope material, thereby reducing thermal load and pressure issues while maintaining the ability to illuminate multiple applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct optical transmission through the envelope with a reflective mechanical system using mirrors. Instead of relying on the envelope material to transmit and redirect light, the system uses movable mirrors to mechanically redirect light paths, achieving the same functional result with reduced thermal and pressure stress on the envelope.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are installed to receive light, then more applications can be served, but the complexity of selectively directing light to specific devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable mirrors that can be repositioned to direct light onto different devices. This dynamic control system allows a single light source to serve multiple applications by changing the mirror orientation, avoiding the need for complex switching mechanisms for each device while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal light redirection system where a single mirror assembly can serve multiple devices and applications. The mirror system is designed to be multi-functional, capable of directing light to any selected device in the array, thereby reducing overall system complexity compared to having dedicated light paths for each device.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle maintains altitude using buoyancy, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the airborne duration is limited by the need for continuous power to maintain position and operate devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic operation of the light redirection system, where mirrors are adjusted only when needed to redirect light to different devices. This periodic control reduces continuous power consumption while maintaining the ability to serve multiple applications, thereby extending airborne duration without sacrificing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the system to maintain altitude passively through buoyancy without requiring active fuel consumption. The lighter-than-air gas provides self-service lift, eliminating the need for continuous engine operation and reducing overall energy requirements, which extends the vehicle's airborne duration.
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
Enables extended airborne duration by efficiently generating power and redirecting light for multiple applications, including remote aircraft, while reducing heating and pressure issues within the vehicle, thus enhancing operational efficiency and device longevity.
Implementation Method 1
at least part of the envelope being configured to allow light to pass through it
Implementation Method 2
The means for selectively redirecting the light may comprise a mirror disposed on a surface of the envelope
Implementation Method 3
The mirror may be a deformable mirror. The means for selectively redirecting the light further may comprises means for deforming the mirror
Implementation Method 4
The means for deforming the mirror may comprise a plurality of selectively inflatable pouches coupled between the mirror and the envelope
Implementation Method 5
an envelope containing a lighter than air gas
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 4
AI summary
Disclosed is a lighter than air vehicle comprising: an envelope (34) containing a lighter than air gas (22), at least part of the envelope (34) admitting the passage of light (28) through the at least part of the envelope (34); and means for selectively redirecting the light (28) which passes through the at least part of the envelope (34). The vehicle may further comprises a plurality of devices (44, 50) for using incident light (28). The means for selectively redirecting the light (28) may be for selectively redirecting the light (28) onto a selected device (44, 50), for example, by switching the positions of two or more devices (44, 50) into the path of the light (28).