Distributed Drone Hangars for Persistent Coverage and Fast Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drone systems face challenges in maintaining persistent coverage due to limited flight time and the need for rapid deployment from a central location, compromising response speed and coverage.
Innovation Solution
A network of distributed drone hangars mounted on public infrastructure, equipped with charging facilities and networked sensors, allows for autonomous deployment and recharging of drones, enabling continuous coverage through a rotating drone deployment strategy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If drones are operated from a central location, then equipment can be transported and drones can be deployed, but the response speed is compromised and flight time is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized drone operation system is segmented into multiple distributed hangars positioned throughout the service area. Each hangar independently houses and deploys drones, eliminating the need for long-distance transport from a single central location. This segmentation enables faster local response while distributing operational complexity across multiple simpler nodes.
2Duration of action of moving object
If battery-operated lightweight drones are used, then the drones are portable and maneuverable, but flight time is limited due to battery life
Solution Approach 1:
Drones are pre-charged at distributed hangars before deployment. When a drone is dispatched, it begins its mission with a full battery charge, maximizing flight time. The hangar serves as a preliminary preparation point, ensuring the drone is ready for extended operation without requiring mid-mission recharging.
Solution Approach 2:
When a drone's battery is depleted during a mission, it returns to its home hangar to be recharged. The drone is then available for redeployment, creating a cycle of use and recovery. This allows the system to maintain continuous coverage by rotating drones in and out of service based on battery status.
3Reliability
If a single central location is used for drone storage and operation, then maintenance and control are simplified, but persistent coverage at distance is difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The single central storage location is segmented into multiple distributed hangars positioned throughout the service area. This segmentation enables drones to be deployed from locations closer to incident sites, extending effective coverage distance while maintaining reliable persistent monitoring through the distributed network.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone operation system transitions from a two-dimensional central hub model to a three-dimensional distributed network of hangars positioned at various locations and elevations. This spatial distribution across multiple dimensions enables broader coverage area and more reliable persistent monitoring throughout the service region.
4Speed
If drones are deployed from distant central locations, then all drones can be centrally controlled, but the speed of response to emerging situations is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Centralized control is segmented into distributed autonomous operation at each hangar. Each hangar independently manages its drone(s), making deployment decisions locally based on incident reports. This segmentation dramatically improves response speed while simplifying control operations at each node, with hangars communicating status to a central coordination system.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for basing drones is described. A network of geographically diverse hangars provides storage and charging locations as well as backhaul communications infrastructure and video monitoring. As drones are needed, a central command point tasks an available drone, which may or may not already be located in proximity to a target. If additional drones are needed, drones can be flown to the area of interest and continuous coverage provided by charging drones while an active drone is conducting the mission, then rotating charged drones into the active mission. Structures for the hangars, the overall system, and methods of operation are described.