Floating Unit Lift and Clamping for Bendable Wire Drift Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems with vehicles connected by bendable connection elements, such as wires, face issues with increased energy consumption and side drift due to pulling forces, which are not effectively mitigated.
Innovation Solution
A supply system featuring a floating unit with a clamping unit that can switch between fixed and released states, utilizing a gas volume for lift and adjustable gas volume through fluid control, and a platform with aligned connection points for energy and fluid transfer, reducing the pulling force by compensating with a lifting effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the aerial vehicle flies farther from the agricultural vehicle, then the free length of the wire increases, but the pulling force in the wire increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a floating unit filled with gas (helium or hydrogen) that generates buoyant force to counteract the pulling force in the wire. The floating unit acts as a counterweight that offsets the tension caused by the wire's weight and the aerial vehicle's distance from the agricultural vehicle, thereby reducing the net pulling force on the aerial vehicle.
2Power
If the pulling force acts on the aerial vehicle, then the wire can supply energy and data, but the aerial vehicle experiences side drift requiring active compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The floating unit generates upward buoyant force that counteracts the downward pulling force from the wire, thereby reducing the horizontal component of the pulling force that causes side drift. This allows the wire to continue supplying energy and data while minimizing the stabilizing effort required from the aerial vehicle's propulsion system.
3Reliability
If the clamping unit is in the fixed state, then the floating unit attaches to the bendable connection element, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping unit utilizes the buoyant force from the gas-filled envelope to automatically clamp onto the bendable connection element. When the floating unit is deployed, the upward buoyant force engages the clamping mechanism without requiring external actuation, thereby achieving reliable attachment while simplifying the control system.
4Force
If the gas volume in the envelope is increased, then the lifting effect increases, but the volume of the floating unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a gas-filled envelope where the gas volume can be adjusted to optimize the lifting effect. By controlling the amount of gas (helium or hydrogen) in the envelope, the system can vary the buoyant force to match the required lifting capability for different operating conditions, thereby achieving maximum lifting efficiency with minimal volume.
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
The system reduces energy consumption and mitigates side drift by adapting the lifting effect to counteract pulling forces, allowing efficient and compact storage and operation of bendable connection elements.
Implementation Method 1
an envelope for enclosing a gas volume... The gas volume of the floating unit generates a lifting effect that lets the floating unit floating up in a medium such as air or water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A floating unit (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) and a supply system (1) for a floating unit (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) having a bendable connection element (4) and a platform (3). The platform (3) includes at least one connection point (38, 39, 40, 41) for storing the at least one floating unit (5, 6, 7, 8, 9). The at least one connection point (38, 39, 40, 41) includes an additional interface for connecting a first interface of the at least one floating unit (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) wherein the bendable connection element (4) is threaded through the clamping unit (19) of the at least one floating unit (5, 6, 7, 8, 9).