Tethered Aircraft Trajectory Control for Wind-Adjusted Load Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft tethered to payloads experience inefficient battery power consumption due to suboptimal positioning and trajectory caused by wind, leading to uneven load distribution among multiple aircraft lifting a payload.
Innovation Solution
A system that adjusts the position or trajectory of aircraft based on wind information, with processors determining whether an aircraft is flying upwind or downwind to optimize load distribution by altering the distance from the payload's vertical axis, allowing for more efficient battery power conservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If aircraft fly in fixed elliptical trajectory, then trajectory control is simple, but battery power consumption increases due to wind interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed elliptical trajectories to dynamic trajectories that adapt in real-time to wind conditions. The aircraft automatically adjust their flight paths based on measured wind information, transforming the control system from static to dynamic to optimize energy consumption while maintaining load distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the trajectory parameters (position, orientation, shape) based on wind conditions. Instead of maintaining fixed elliptical parameters, the system dynamically modifies trajectory parameters to compensate for wind effects, thereby reducing battery power consumption while preserving the load-bearing function.
2Force
If aircraft position is adjusted to optimize load distribution, then load distribution improves, but trajectory control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously measuring wind information and using it to adjust aircraft positions and trajectories. The system forms a closed-loop control where wind measurements feed into trajectory optimization algorithms, which then adjust aircraft positions to maintain optimal load distribution while adapting to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating optimal trajectories based on current wind conditions before executing the flight path. The system determines the adjusted trajectory in advance, allowing aircraft to follow pre-optimized paths that maintain load distribution without requiring complex real-time control during flight.
3Force
If multiple aircraft are used to lift payload, then lifting capacity increases, but battery power consumption increases due to uneven load distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each aircraft to have individualized trajectory adjustments based on its specific position and local wind conditions. Instead of uniform control for all aircraft, the system optimizes each aircraft's path independently, ensuring that each contributes optimally to the shared payload while minimizing its own energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for adjusting a load on a tethered aircraft is disclosed. The aircraft is tethered to a payload. The system determines a new position for the tethered aircraft in the event that due to environmental effects, e.g., the aircraft is flying upwind or downwind, the load experienced by the tethered aircraft is not optimal.