Atmospheric Balloon Navigation Using Altitude and Propulsion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Atmospheric balloon systems have limited capability to access laterally positioned air streams, leading to inefficient navigation and potential inability to reach target locations due to vertical air stream constraints, which results in slower arrival, faster passage, or inability to station seek.
Innovation Solution
A control system with a navigation parameter system that generates parameter ranges for onboard control, allowing the atmospheric balloon system to adjust altitude and propulsion to minimize course and speed differences relative to target ranges, enabling access to advantageous air streams and reducing the need for continuous remote monitoring and control updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If elevation control systems are used to move the balloon vertically into air streams, then the balloon can access air streams at different altitudes, but the balloon cannot access laterally positioned air streams that are faster or more favorable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional (vertical) air stream access to three-dimensional access by adding lateral propulsion capability. The balloon system now can move not only vertically via buoyancy control but also laterally via propulsion systems, enabling access to air streams in all spatial dimensions including faster lateral streams that were previously inaccessible
2Device complexity
If the balloon system uses only elevation control to reach favorable air streams, then the system structure remains simple, but the balloon cannot reach target locations efficiently or on schedule
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system performs preliminary calculation of optimal air stream sequences and propulsion maneuvers before execution. The system pre-determines the sequence of vertical and lateral movements needed to reach favorable air streams and target locations, enabling efficient time-critical navigation without continuous complex real-time control
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the combination of buoyancy control and propulsion based on real-time conditions and pre-calculated navigation plans. The balloon can switch between vertical elevation changes and lateral propulsion movements adaptively, optimizing arrival time while maintaining manageable control complexity
3Reliability
If continuous remote monitoring and control updates are used to navigate the balloon, then the balloon can reach favorable air streams, but bandwidth usage and communication requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon system executes pre-calculated navigation plans autonomously using onboard sensors and control systems. The navigation computer processes local sensor data and autonomously adjusts buoyancy and propulsion to follow the pre-determined optimal path through air streams, minimizing the need for continuous remote monitoring and control updates
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
This solution enhances the balloon's ability to navigate efficiently by positioning it within advantageous air streams, reducing power consumption and improving arrival times, while minimizing the need for continuous remote control updates and bandwidth usage.
Implementation Method 1
Atmospheric balloon systems provide elevation (altitude) control with one or more buoyancy systems including ballonets, ballast systems
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for an atmospheric balloon system includes a navigation parameter system having a meteorological characteristic input, a balloon kinematic monitor, an objective input and a parameter range generator configured to generate an altitude search range for the atmospheric balloon system based on air stream vectors, balloon kinematics, and a target balloon position. An onboard balloon control system is in communication with the navigation parameter system and includes a comparator to determine a course difference of a measured course relative to a course range. An altitude selection module selects a target altitude within the altitude search range having an air stream vector that decreases the course difference. A propulsion selection module is configured to select a propulsion value that decreases the course difference.