Autonomous Aerostat Control for Crew-Free Launch and Landing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerostat systems require continuous human crew availability for launch and landing, which is costly and hazardous, especially in severe 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 the aerostat can be controlled and landed safely, but operational costs increase and human safety is compromised in severe weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The aerostat system performs launch and landing operations autonomously without human intervention. The automated control system monitors weather conditions, activates heating elements to maintain aerostat temperature, controls ballast systems for altitude adjustment, and manages tether deployment/retraction automatically, allowing the system to serve itself during critical operations in severe weather
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations by human crews are replaced with an automated control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators. The system substitutes human physical intervention with electronic control mechanisms including automated heating elements, ballast release systems, and tether winches that operate remotely based on pre-programmed sequences and real-time sensor feedback
2Adaptability or versatility
If human crews are kept available round-the-clock for aerostat operations, then the aerostat can be launched and landed at any time, but operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system eliminates the need for human crew availability by performing all launch and landing operations autonomously. The control system can execute pre-programmed sequences automatically, monitor system status through sensors, and respond to weather conditions without human intervention, enabling cost-effective 24/7 operational readiness
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pre-programmed control sequences and predictive weather monitoring to prepare for launch and landing operations in advance. The automated controller is configured with predetermined parameters for altitude, temperature maintenance, and tether management, allowing the system to execute operations automatically without requiring human crew presence or decision-making during critical phases
3Object-affected harmful factors
If automated control systems are implemented for aerostat operations, then human safety is improved and operational costs are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control system integrates multiple functions into a single unified controller that manages heating elements, ballast systems, tether winches, and sensor monitoring simultaneously. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate control mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive automated control capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs sensor feedback loops that continuously monitor temperature, altitude, tether tension, and weather conditions, automatically adjusting control parameters in response to real-time measurements. This closed-loop control simplifies the automation process by using straightforward sensor-actuator relationships rather than complex decision algorithms, making the automated system more manageable despite its multiple functions
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 minimizing human intervention in adverse weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a lighter-than-air balloon that may support a payload and a pressurized aerostat enclosure
Implementation Method 2
one or more sensors to determine an orientation of the balloon, one or more sensors to determine a location of the balloon
Implementation Method 3
one or more actuators to affect the orientation and/or 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.