Tethered Drone Lighting for Uniform Construction Site Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current temporary lighting solutions for construction and event areas are expensive and provide uneven illumination, with limited height and angle adjustment capabilities, leading to elongated and uneven coverage.

Innovation Solution

A tethered drone system with a sensor package and illumination source that can maintain an illumination source at various altitudes and angles, allowing for directed and adjustable lighting, and can be controlled via a base station, which can be manually or autonomously positioned to provide power and control the lighting system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If extendable or telescoping poles are used to place illumination sources at height, then the illumination source can be positioned above the area of interest, but the height is limited and the illumination must be provided at an angle of approximately 20°-50° from the horizon, producing an elongated cone of illumination with uneven coverage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination coverage uniformityVSAvoidheight adjustment range

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical extendable pole system with a tethered drone system that uses aerodynamic lift and tether tension to achieve height positioning. This substitution allows the illumination source to be positioned directly overhead at greater heights without the mechanical extension limitations, enabling more uniform illumination coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The tethered drone system provides dynamic height and angle adjustment capabilities, allowing the illumination source to be positioned at optimal angles (including approximately normal to the horizon) rather than being constrained to fixed angular ranges. The drone can dynamically reposition to maintain uniform illumination as conditions change.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If tethered drone system is used to position illumination source at high altitude, then the illumination can be directed at angles approximating normal to the horizon, but the system complexity increases with tether, power supply, and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination angle flexibilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tethered drone system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the illumination source, supplies power through the tether, enables positioning at various heights and angles, and allows for dynamic repositioning. This multi-functionality justifies the increased system complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tether serves as an intermediary element that connects the ground-based power supply to the airborne illumination source, enabling both power transmission and positional control. This single intermediary component resolves the complexity by integrating multiple functions into one element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If battery-powered drone is used, then the drone can fly and position the illumination source, but the time airborne is limited to the battery discharge time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrone mobilityVSAvoidairborne time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tether acts as an intermediary power transmission line, delivering electrical energy from the ground-based power supply to the drone. This eliminates the need for onboard batteries, allowing the drone to remain airborne indefinitely without being constrained by battery discharge time, while maintaining full mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Area of stationary object

If current temporary lighting solutions are used, then large area illumination is provided, but the cost is expensive and the coverage is uneven

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination areaVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive stationary lighting infrastructure with a mobile tethered drone system that uses aerodynamic principles and simple tether mechanics to achieve the same illumination function. This substitution significantly reduces costs while improving illumination uniformity through dynamic positioning capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250346364A1Systems and Methods for Site Monitoring with a Drone

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 BLUE VIGIL LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method for site management that includes launching, from a mobile drone base unit, a drone including a sensor package and an illumination source; tethering, by a tether coupling the drone to the mobile drone base unit, the drone to provide power and maintain communications between the drone and the mobile drone base unit; receiving, from the sensor package of the drone, data related to a construction site; comparing the received data related to the construction site to blueprint data related to the construction site; and in response to identifying a deviation between the received data and the blueprint data, moving the mobile drone base unit to a position allowing the drone to highlight the deviation.