Tethered UAS for Water and Light Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing unmanned aerial systems (UASs) used for entertainment and displays face challenges such as weight restrictions, reliability of radio-controlled flight, potential for injury due to malfunction, and limited battery life, especially when carrying heavy payloads like lighting or marionettes.

Innovation Solution

A tethered UAS system where power and control signals are provided through a tether from a ground station, eliminating the need for onboard batteries and radio transmissions, and using winches to control the UAS's position and prevent entry into no-fly zones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If untethered UAS with onboard batteries are used for displays, then the UAS can achieve flight and carry payloads, but the UAS exceeds weight restrictions and has limited flight duration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight durationVSAvoidUAS weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power source is extracted from the UAS and relocated to a ground-based station. The tether serves as a power transmission line, delivering electrical energy from the ground station to the UAS, eliminating the need for onboard batteries and significantly reducing UAS weight while enabling extended flight duration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tether acts as an intermediary element that transmits both power and control signals between the ground station and the UAS. This mediator enables continuous power supply and reliable communication without requiring the UAS to carry its own power source or communication equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If untethered UAS are controlled by radio signals, then the UAS can be remotely controlled, but the control signals may be interrupted or interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol signal reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tether serves as a reliable intermediary communication channel, replacing radio frequency transmission with a wired connection that is immune to electromagnetic interference and signal jamming, ensuring consistent and secure control signal delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless radio control system is replaced with a wired tether-based control system. This substitution eliminates the complexities of radio frequency management, signal encryption, and interference mitigation while providing a more reliable and secure control connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If untethered UAS are used for displays, then the UAS can perform display functions, but the UAS may fly off and injure persons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay application capabilityVSAvoidsafety risk to persons

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The physical constraint function is extracted from active control systems and implemented through the tether itself. The tether acts as a passive physical barrier that prevents the UAS from entering restricted zones or causing harm, eliminating the need for complex geofencing or electronic countermeasures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tether provides beforehand physical restriction that prevents the UAS from malfunctioning in a way that could cause harm. By establishing a physical boundary before any malfunction can occur, the system proactively eliminates safety risks rather than reacting to them

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10696395B2Tethered unmanned aerial system

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 WET ENTERPRISES INC

AI summary

A tethered unmanned aerial system (UAS) is described, wherein the flight of one or more UASs may be used in connection with a water and light display.