Tethered Drone Cable Entanglement Prevention Using Gravity Weights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drones have limited load-carrying capacity and operational time due to battery life constraints, and they face issues with cable entanglement in turbulent environments, which can damage the drones and reduce their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A drone system comprising two drones tethered together via cables with weighted members that direct the cables away from the propellers, preventing entanglement and allowing for extended operation by connecting to a terrestrial power and data source, thereby increasing load-carrying capacity and operational time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If drones are tethered together via cables to extend operational time and load-carrying capacity, then operational duration and payload capacity are improved, but cable entanglement with propellers occurs in turbulent environments
Solution Approach 1:
A weighted member is introduced as an intermediary element attached to the cable. This weighted member acts as a mediator that uses gravity to pull the cable downward, creating a physical barrier that prevents the cable from being drawn upward into the propellers during turbulent flight conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable's physical configuration is changed by attaching a weighted member that alters its trajectory. The weight creates a downward force that changes the cable's path from a potential upward trajectory toward the propellers to a downward trajectory away from the propellers, preventing entanglement.
2Device complexity
If conventional drones rely on battery power alone, then device simplicity is maintained, but load-carrying capacity and operational time are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The drone system merges multiple power sources by tethering two drones together, where one drone can serve as a mobile power station for the other. This combination allows the system to extend operational time beyond the limitations of individual battery capacity while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
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 effectively prevents cable entanglement, enabling drones to operate for longer periods and carry heavier loads while maintaining maneuverability, and can be used to establish portable and deployable cell sites for wireless network coverage in various situations.
Implementation Method 1
one or more weights or weighted members coupled to the first cable and configured to generally direct the first cable away from the propellers of the first drone and/or second drone
Data Source
AI summary
Devices for inhibiting a cable coupling drones from being entangled in the propellers of the drones, and associated systems and methods, are described herein. For example, a device can include a first weight coupled to the cable and configured to direct the cable at least partially away from the propellers of the drones. In some embodiments, the first weight can be coupled to the cable proximate to one of the coupled drones, and the device can include a second weight coupled to the cable proximate to the other of the coupled drones and configured to direct the cable at least partially away from the propellers of the drones.