Drone Dispensing Assembly for Repeater Deployment in Hostile Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in dynamically and remotely deploying and positioning repeaters in hostile environments, such as indoors or in areas obstructed by obstacles, where line of sight is obstructed, and traditional methods are inadequate for real-time, secure, and efficient delivery of repeaters.
Innovation Solution
A drone equipped with a dispensing assembly capable of serially delivering repeaters at desired locations within its footprint, using a quadcopter design with a microcontroller, propeller-motors, and a dispensing tray system that allows for gravity dispensing and radial arm propulsion of repeaters, enabling real-time deployment and positioning without pre-determined landing sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the footprint of the drone is increased to securely transport repeaters during transit, then the security and protection of repeaters is improved, but the number of available landing sites decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The repeaters are nested within a compact dispensing assembly that is integrated into the drone's body. The dispensing assembly includes a tray with circumferential walls that contain the repeaters in a space-efficient manner, allowing secure transport without increasing the drone's external footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The repeaters are arranged vertically within the dispensing assembly rather than horizontally, utilizing the vertical dimension for storage. This allows multiple repeaters to be stacked in a compact configuration that does not increase the horizontal footprint of the drone.
2Adaptability or versatility
If repeaters are delivered to previously undetermined locations in real time, then the adaptability to changing hostile environments is improved, but the delivery time and positioning precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The drone carries multiple repeaters pre-loaded in the dispensing assembly before entering the hostile environment. This preliminary preparation allows immediate deployment at undetermined locations without requiring time for setup or configuration at each site.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing assembly is designed to automatically release repeaters at predetermined locations along the flight path without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the deployment process, maintaining positioning precision through automated control while enabling rapid adaptability to changing conditions.
3Area of stationary object
If a larger number of repeaters are carried to cover extended areas, then the coverage area is improved, but the weight and payload capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication coverage is segmented into multiple zones, each served by individual repeaters deployed at specific locations along the flight path. This allows the drone to carry only the necessary number of repeaters for the intended coverage area rather than transporting excessive equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone's payload capacity and repeater carrying capacity are optimized by adjusting design parameters such as the size and configuration of the dispensing assembly. The system is configured to carry the minimum necessary number of repeaters to achieve the required coverage area while maintaining acceptable weight constraints.
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
Ensures reliable, real-time communication by establishing a line of sight communication network within a hostile environment, allowing for dynamic adjustment and secure delivery of repeaters, optimizing signal transmission and maintaining network integrity despite changing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a radial arm responsive to a command signal to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis in a forward rotation direction in order to propel a repeater towards the dispensing hole
Implementation Method 2
a dispensing hole for gravity dispensing a repeater therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A drone for delivering plural repeaters in a hostile environment and method of delivering plural repeaters from the drone. The drone is controllable from a remote base station and carries a payload of repeaters on a round tray. The tray has a dispensing hole, complementary to the geometry of the repeater for dispensing the repeaters as needed. Repeaters are consecutively dispensed at stations as determined by an operator. A central radial arm sweeps each repeater around the tray, in turn, until the hole is encountered and the repeater gravity drops to a surface below. The drone may have two or more vertically stacked trays to increase payload without increasing footprint.