Tethered Sail Relocation for Low-Energy Sensor Coverage Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensors mounted on stationary objects or vehicles have limited coverage areas and inefficient energy usage, as they often do not harness the most efficient energy sources for conservation.
Innovation Solution
A tethered relocation coverage enhancement system with a payload, adjustable tether, and sail, utilizing a computing system to estimate energy expenditure and relocate platforms based on threshold decisions to optimize coverage and energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If sensors are mounted on stationary objects, then the device complexity is reduced, but the coverage area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from stationary sensor mounting to mobile platform deployment. Sensors are mounted on vehicles or drones that can move to different locations, dynamically expanding the coverage area while maintaining manageable device complexity through automated control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs autonomous vehicles or drones that self-navigate to optimal positions for sensor deployment. The mobile platforms independently manage their own movement and positioning, reducing the need for complex external control infrastructure while maximizing coverage area.
2Area of stationary object
If sensors are mounted on vehicles, then the coverage area is wider, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts harmful environmental forces (wind, air currents) into beneficial propulsion energy. By incorporating sails or wind-catching structures on mobile platforms, the system harnesses natural wind energy to drive movement, reducing or eliminating the need for energy-consuming motors and batteries while maintaining wide coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces conventional mechanical propulsion systems (engines, motors, batteries) with passive aerodynamic propulsion using sails. This substitution eliminates the need for complex powertrains and energy storage systems, dramatically reducing energy consumption while preserving the mobile coverage capability.
3Speed
If conventional propulsion is used, then the relocation speed is fast, but the energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms wind, typically an unpredictable environmental challenge, into a useful propulsion resource. Sails capture kinetic energy from air movement to propel vehicles or drones, achieving relocation speeds comparable to conventional systems without requiring energy input from batteries or fuel, thus resolving the speed-energy consumption trade-off.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the propulsion mechanism from active mechanical drive to passive aerodynamic drive. By altering the fundamental propulsion parameter from motor-powered to wind-powered, the system achieves similar relocation speeds with dramatically reduced energy consumption, as wind energy is freely available in the environment.
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
Enhances sensor coverage area by harnessing environmental conditions, providing an ultra-low energy strategy for relocation and efficient energy use.
Implementation Method 1
A sail is attached to the payload to enhance the coverage area. The tethered platform may include intelligence capable of learning and combining environmental conditions and environmental patterns to enhance the coverage area for the particular payload.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes: a platform; a payload extending from a platform; an adjustable tether connecting the payload to the platform; and a sail extending from the payload. The system further includes a computer program that is executable to relocate the platform to the area of interest based on a threshold based decision which may include providing a tether and sail configuration.