Modular Lighter-Than-Air Vehicle Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remotely operated heavier-than-air vehicles are limited by duration, elevation restrictions, and high costs, and lack flexibility for multi-purpose operations, requiring a more versatile and flexible system for autonomous or semi-autonomous deployment and retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A network of lighter-than-air vehicles configured with modular parts, controlled by a remotely operated interface, allowing for mission-specific configurations based on factors like duration, distance, payload, and environment, with autonomous or semi-autonomous operation and modular components for flexible mission adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If traditional heavier than air vehicles are used for surveillance, then they can provide stable platform performance, but they are limited by duration, elevation restrictions, and high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The airship system is divided into modular components including detachable gondolas, interchangeable payload modules, and separable propulsion units. This segmentation allows the platform to be reconfigured for different mission durations and complexities without requiring entirely different vehicle designs, thereby extending operational duration while managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The airship employs dynamic configuration capabilities where modular components can be added or removed during operations. The gondola and payload modules can be exchanged to adapt to varying mission requirements, enabling the system to optimize for either extended duration or reduced complexity depending on operational needs.
2Duration of action of moving object
If lighter than air vehicles are used for long flight time, then they can achieve extended duration and high elevation, but they are large and cumbersome to deploy and retrieve
Solution Approach 1:
The airship envelope is designed as a modular structure that can be inflated from collapsed sections. The gondola and other components are separately stowable, allowing the entire system to be compacted to a small size for easy transport and rapid deployment, while still achieving extended flight duration when inflated and assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components including the gondola, propulsion units, and payload modules are designed to nest within or attach to the envelope structure when not in use. This nesting capability allows the large airship to be reduced to a compact stowed configuration for easy deployment and retrieval operations.
3Reliability
If mission specific airships are designed, then they can optimize performance for specific tasks, but they have little flexibility for field reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The airship system uses standardized modular interfaces that allow different payload modules and gondola configurations to be interchangeably mounted on the same envelope platform. This segmentation enables the system to maintain reliable performance for specific missions while providing flexibility to reconfigure for different task requirements through simple module exchanges.
Solution Approach 2:
The envelope platform is designed as a universal base that can support multiple types of gondolas and payload modules through standardized attachment mechanisms. This universality allows a single airship platform to reliably perform multiple different missions by simply changing the modular components, thereby achieving both mission optimization and reconfiguration flexibility.
4Reliability
If dedicated hangers are used for blimps and balloons, then they can provide proper storage and maintenance, but they are large and cumbersome to deploy and retrieve
Solution Approach 1:
The airship components are designed to be separately stowable in compact configurations. The envelope can be collapsed and stored in small spaces, while the gondola and other modules can be independently secured. This segmentation eliminates the need for large dedicated hangers while maintaining proper storage and maintenance capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The envelope is constructed from flexible materials that allow it to be collapsed into a compact form for storage and then inflated to its operational shape. This flexibility enables the airship to transition between a space-efficient stowed state and a fully deployed operational state without requiring large fixed storage facilities.
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 flexible, cost-effective, and adaptable deployment and retrieval of lighter-than-air vehicles for various missions, overcoming limitations of traditional systems by allowing selective configuration and autonomous operation, enhancing operational flexibility and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
lighter than air vehicles
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments according to the methods and systems provide for the selection, assembly, deployment, exploitation of data collected, redeployment, retrieval and stowage of a remotely operated lighter than air (LTA) network of vehicles. From modular components stowed with a mobile platform, one or more LTA vehicles can be assembled, deployed and retrieved. Determining the desirable number of LTA vehicles and the modular components to be assembled for each vehicle can be performed through a computer recommending modular components based on mission parameters. A remote controller device can be used for pre-deployment setup, in-flight mission management and analysis of data gathered by a plurality of possible sensing devise operably attached to the one or more LTA vehicles.