Closed-Course Vehicle Navigation Under Medium Advection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle propulsion testing methods are labor-intensive and costly, requiring long deployments and extensive data processing to account for the impact of medium advection on speed performance, which limits the efficiency and accuracy of testing.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involve a vehicle with a propulsion mechanism and direction control system, capable of navigating a closed course-over-ground while adjusting its course-through-the-medium turn rate to maintain a constant course-over-ground turn rate, thereby minimizing the impact of medium advection on speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional speed performance testing is conducted over a wide range of medium state conditions, then the accuracy and completeness of performance data is improved, but the deployment time and testing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the turn rate variable rather than fixed. The course-through-the-medium turn rate is dynamically adjusted based on the vehicle's speed and the advection conditions to maintain a constant course-over-ground turn rate. This dynamic adjustment allows the vehicle to adapt to varying medium conditions (waves, currents, winds) in real-time, enabling accurate speed performance measurement without requiring extended deployment times to account for environmental variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the turn rate parameter from a constant value to a variable parameter that depends on vehicle speed and advection conditions. By expressing the turn rate as a function of these variables, the system can maintain constant course-over-ground turn rate across different medium states, thereby obtaining comprehensive speed performance data more efficiently without the need for multiple long-duration tests under different conditions
2Measurement precision
If traditional testing methods are used to account for advection impact, then comprehensive performance data is obtained, but labor-intensive data processing and analysis are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the turn rate as a function of vehicle speed and advection conditions before actual testing begins. The navigation system is pre-programmed with the relationship turn rate = f(speed, advection), allowing the vehicle to automatically adjust its course-through-the-medium turn rate during operation. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex post-processing and analysis to account for advection effects, as the data is collected in a controlled manner from the outset
3Measurement precision
If the vehicle maintains a constant course-over-ground turn rate in advecting medium, then the impact of medium advection on speed measurement is minimized, but the course-through-the-medium turn rate must be continuously adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using the vehicle's speed and advection conditions as input signals to continuously adjust the course-through-the-medium turn rate. The navigation system receives feedback about the current operating conditions and automatically modifies the turn rate to maintain the constant course-over-ground turn rate. This closed-loop control approach minimizes the impact of medium advection on speed measurements while automating the navigation control, reducing the operational burden on operators
Data Source
AI summary
A method including propelling a vehicle disposed in a medium. The vehicle includes a body, a propulsion mechanism connected to the body, and a direction control system. The vehicle is subject to advection caused by movement of the medium. The method also includes commanding the vehicle to perform a navigation course comprising a closed course-over-ground. The method also includes periodically adjusting navigation of the vehicle along the closed course-over-ground such that a course-through-the-medium turn-rate is varied in a manner that causes a course-over-ground turn-rate of the vehicle to be held constant, thereby minimizing the impact of medium advection on vehicle speed over ground.