Illuminable Tether Management System for URD Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tether systems for unmanned robotic devices (URDs) do not provide a self-illuminable solution for power, command control, and telemetry transmission, which can lead to issues with visibility and safety in low-light environments, increasing the risk of tether violation or disruption, especially in hard-to-see conditions.
Innovation Solution
The Illuminable Tether Management System (ITMS) deploys a 360-degree light-emitting, cool-to-the-touch, flexible, and weather-proof tether that conveys power, command control, and telemetry while maintaining proper tension, using a winch system and slip ring assemblies to connect and control the tether, and includes a ground payload interface for secure data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a standard non-illuminable tether is used for power and telemetry transmission, then the system structure remains simple and cost-effective, but visibility and safety in low-light environments deteriorate, increasing the risk of tether violation or disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single tether structure: power transmission conductors, telemetry communication conductors, and illumination LEDs are integrated within one tether. This merging approach provides visibility and safety benefits while avoiding the complexity of managing separate illumination systems and tethers.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs power transmission, data communication, and visual demarcation through integrated LEDs. This universal design eliminates the need for separate specialized systems, achieving illumination without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If an illuminable tether with integrated LEDs is deployed, then visibility and safety in low-light conditions improve, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tether combines power transmission and illumination functions using the same electrical infrastructure. Power conductors that would otherwise only supply the URD also power the LEDs, eliminating the need for separate illumination power lines and reducing overall power system complexity and consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether serves itself by using its own power transmission conductors to illuminate itself. The same electrical pathways that deliver power to the URD also power the integrated LEDs, creating a self-sufficient illumination system without additional power sources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a tether is deployed in hard-to-see environments such as underwater at depth or underground, then operational capability is maintained, but the risk of tether violation or entanglement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tether incorporates LEDs that emit light to visually demarcate its position in low-visibility environments. This optical signaling allows operators to see the tether's location and trajectory, enabling them to avoid entanglement or violation risks when operating in dark or obscured conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated LEDs act as an intermediary visual signal between the invisible tether and the operator's perception. The light emission creates an visible representation of the tether's position, allowing operators to sense and avoid the physical tether without directly seeing it in dark environments.
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
Enhances visibility and safety by providing a continuous, secure, and illuminated pathway for operators and URDs, reducing the risk of tether violation and ensuring persistent operation and real-time situational awareness, especially in low-light conditions, thereby improving operational efficiency and safety in disaster scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting layer (405) that conveys light along a length of the tether
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment the disclosure provides a portable and mountable apparatus and method capable of powering and deploying an illuminable tether to an unmanned robotic device (flying drone, ROV, terrestrial robot, to be referred to as a “URD”) that not only can provide power and command control to the robotic device, but also receive telemetry back from said robotic device's sensor(s) and data gathering instrumentation transferable to an operator's interface.