Tow Assembly Attitude Adjustment for Airborne Geophysical Surveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airborne geophysical surveying systems face challenges in maintaining the level orientation of surveying equipment during varying flight velocities and wind conditions, leading to noise interference and reduced measurement accuracy due to fixed suspension rigging geometry.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic attitude adjustment system using adjustable suspension ropes and winches to maintain a target attitude of the geophysical surveying platform, incorporating pitch and roll sensors and a control system to adjust rope lengths in real-time, ensuring the transmitter loop remains substantially horizontal across different flight conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If fixed suspension rigging geometry is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the attitude of the surveying equipment cannot be maintained during varying flight conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the suspension ropes adjustable in length rather than fixed. The system includes winches that can dynamically change the length of each suspension rope to compensate for varying aerodynamic forces during flight, maintaining a substantially horizontal attitude of the transmitter loop across different flight velocities and wind conditions.
2Measurement precision
If adjustable suspension ropes with winches are used, then the attitude stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using sensors to detect the actual attitude of the transmitter loop and comparing it to the desired horizontal attitude. The control system processes this information and automatically adjusts the winch motor operations to correct any attitude deviations, ensuring accurate and stable measurements throughout the survey.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed suspension rigging is used, then the system is easier to operate, but noise interference increases and measurement accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the suspension ropes adjustable in length rather than fixed. The system includes winches that can dynamically change the length of each suspension rope to compensate for varying aerodynamic forces during flight, maintaining a substantially horizontal attitude of the transmitter loop across different flight velocities and wind conditions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If attitude adjustment system is implemented, then the adaptability to varying flight conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the length of individual suspension ropes to adapt to varying flight conditions. The control system modifies the physical parameters (rope lengths) in response to changes in flight velocity, wind conditions, and aerodynamic forces, enabling the system to maintain optimal attitude across a wide range of operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A tow assembly for airborne geophysical surveying that comprises a frame incorporating geophysical surveying equipment; and a suspension assembly for suspending the frame from an aircraft. The suspension assembly has a plurality of suspension ropes connected to the frame at spaced apart connection points for suspending the frame from an aircraft. Lengths of the suspension ropes are adjustable with respect to at least four of the connection points to adjust an attitude of the frame during flight.