Tethered UAS Display System for Tower Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large standing structures in cities are aesthetically unattractive and difficult to differentiate, and low-flying lighted unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) create noise pollution and have limited visibility due to altitude constraints.
Innovation Solution
A system that configures standing structures with tethered UASs, water delivery devices, and sound systems, using a mounting system that moves up and down and rotates around the structure, allowing UASs to fly at high altitudes, reducing noise and increasing visibility with choreographed flight paths and illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If low-flying lighted UASs are used for lighting displays, then the lighting display can be provided, but noise pollution is created due to high velocity rotor blades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the UAS display from low-altitude horizontal flight to high-altitude vertical operation. The mounting system attaches UASs to tall structures (trees, poles, buildings) at heights of 50-500 feet, moving the noise-generating rotor blades out of the audible range of ground observers while maintaining visible light displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tall stationary structures (trees, poles, buildings, towers) as intermediary carriers for the UASs. These structures serve as mounting platforms that elevate the UASs to high altitudes, separating the light-emitting function from ground-level operation and thereby reducing noise impact on observers.
2Illumination intensity
If low-flying lighted UASs are used for lighting displays, then the lighting display can be provided, but visibility is limited due to altitude constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits the vertical dimension by mounting UASs at high altitudes (50-500 feet) on tall structures. This elevation removes the ceiling effect that limits low-flying displays, allowing observers to see the light displays from much greater distances and across larger geographic areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple UASs (typically 3-10 or more) mounted on each tall structure, creating a distributed array of light sources. This multiplication of light-emitting units enhances overall visibility and creates more impressive visual displays that can be detected from longer distances.
3Shape
If large amounts of money is spent on design and construction of structures, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but it becomes difficult to attain unique style and differentiate structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static, conventional structures into dynamic displays by adding programmable UASs with controllable lights and motion. The UASs can perform choreographed flight patterns, change colors, and create moving light displays, making each structure's display unique and adaptable without altering the structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses programmable control to vary multiple parameters of the UAS displays including light color, intensity, flight patterns, speed, and timing. This allows each structure to showcase different themes, events, and visual effects, creating unique identities without requiring expensive structural modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for configuring unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to a structure is disclosed. The structure may be a standing structure such as a tower. A movement system may be configured with the tower. The UASs may be tethered to the movement structure and the movement structure may move with respect to the tower.