Drone-Based Wind Field Sensing for Airship Gust Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for characterizing atmospheric conditions around airships, particularly for detecting gusts of wind, are limited by reliance on LIDAR measurements that only account for horizontal and vertical components, lacking comprehensive spatial coverage and real-time data to anticipate and mitigate sudden changes in wind conditions effectively.
Innovation Solution
Deploying a plurality of drones equipped with characterization equipment to measure atmospheric variables, which collect and transmit data to the airship for processing to identify wind gusts and other phenomena affecting the aircraft's behavior, using a combination of anemometers, LIDAR sensors, and inertial data to estimate wind strength and direction, and managing drone positions and energy based on weather forecasts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If LIDAR measurements are used to detect wind gusts, then wind speed can be measured at a distance from the aircraft, but the spatial coverage is limited to horizontal and vertical components only
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the wind measurement task by deploying multiple LIDAR sensors at different positions and orientations around the aircraft. Each LIDAR measures wind components in its local coordinate system, and the combination of multiple segmented measurements provides complete three-dimensional spatial coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional measurement (horizontal and vertical components only) to three-dimensional measurement by adding oblique measurement lines that capture wind components in diagonal directions, thereby completing the spatial coverage in all three dimensions
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LIDAR sensors with multiple measurement lines are deployed, then wind measurement coverage improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each LIDAR sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: it measures wind components in its local coordinate system, provides data for transformation to the aircraft reference frame, and contributes to both gust detection and overall wind field characterization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each measurement task
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the data processing functions by transforming all LIDAR measurements from their local coordinate systems into a unified aircraft reference frame, and by combining oblique and horizontal/vertical measurement data to produce a comprehensive three-dimensional wind field characterization
3Area of stationary object
If LIDAR measurements are supplemented with additional measurements at greater distances, then spatial coverage improves, but the measurement and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary transformation of LIDAR measurements from local coordinate systems to the aircraft reference frame before further processing. This preliminary action simplifies subsequent data fusion and analysis by establishing a unified coordinate system early in the measurement chain
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameters by introducing oblique measurement lines with specific angles relative to the aircraft axes. This parameter change enables the capture of wind components in three-dimensional space while maintaining a systematic approach to data processing through coordinate transformation
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
Enables real-time characterization of atmospheric conditions, allowing for timely propulsive actions to stabilize the airship and optimize operations by providing accurate and comprehensive wind data, reducing the risk of instability and improving maneuverability.
Implementation Method 1
LIDAR equipment installed on the airship. Mention may be made, in particular, to document WO 2016/188759 A1, which discloses an airship equipped multiple LIDAR (pulsed laser, wavelength of 1.54 μm) sensors that allow the wind speed to be measured
Data Source
AI summary
A method for characterizing, in real time, atmospheric conditions in the environment of an aircraft, comprises steps of deploying, at a distance from the aircraft, a plurality of drones carrying equipment for characterizing atmospheric conditions, of calculating and transmitting positioning instructions for each drone with respect to the aircraft, of collecting, at one or more of these drones, measured data or calculated data regarding atmospheric variables, of transmitting these measured data thus collected from these drones to the aircraft, and processing these measured data thus transmitted so as to identify one or more atmospheric phenomena liable to affect the static and/or dynamic behavior of the aircraft.