Relative Drift Navigation Using Multi-Altitude Wind Probes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lighter-than-air vehicles face challenges in accessing wind data at high altitudes, where wind conditions are inhospitable and data is scarce, and require navigation systems that are lightweight and efficient without relying heavily on electronics.
Innovation Solution
A navigation system for lighter-than-air vehicles utilizing multiple wind probing devices at different altitudes and latitudes, communicating with a main body system to determine wind direction and speed, allowing the vehicle to adjust its position strategically using wind patterns without propelling, and incorporating a high-gain dish antenna for improved communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wind probing devices are deployed at high altitudes to access wind data, then navigation capability is improved, but device complexity and electronic requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system is divided into multiple independent wind probing devices distributed at different altitudes and positions. Each probe independently measures local wind conditions and communicates findings to the main body, distributing the sensing function across multiple simple units rather than requiring one complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind probing devices are designed to autonomously perform wind measurements and self-navigate to target altitudes using the very wind conditions they are measuring. The probes use balloon expansion mechanisms and aerodynamic drift to reach desired positions without complex propulsion systems, making each device self-sufficient.
2Measurement precision
If multiple wind probing devices are used to characterize wind over a volume, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wind measurement function is segmented across multiple probing devices positioned at different altitudes, latitudes, and longitudes. This distributed array of simple probes collectively characterizes three-dimensional wind fields with high precision without requiring any single device to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
Data from multiple independent wind probing devices are merged and synthesized by the main body's processing system to create a comprehensive wind characterization of the entire volume. This combining approach achieves high measurement precision through spatial diversity while keeping individual probe devices simple.
3Reliability
If a large dish antenna is used for high gain communication, then communication capability is improved, but weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dish antenna is designed with an expandable structure that can be deployed when high gain communication is needed and collapsed or stowed when not required. This dynamic configuration allows the system to achieve large antenna dimensions for improved communication reliability only when necessary, reducing weight and size during other operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The large dish antenna structure incorporates a nested or collapsible design where the reflective surface and support ribs can be folded or retracted into a compact configuration. This nesting approach allows the antenna to achieve its full large-aperture dimensions for high gain communication while minimizing weight and volume when deployed is not required.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicle navigation system and vehicle. The navigation system includes a first wind probing device disposed at a first probe position, wherein the first wind probing device is in communication, via a first probe communications link, with a body communication system. The navigation system also includes a second wind probing device disposed at a second probe position, wherein the second wind probing device is in communication, via a second probe communications link, with the body communication system. The navigation system also includes a wind variation detection system configured to determine wind information, including at least a wind direction, for the first wind probing device and the second wind probing device.