UAV Landing Platform Tether Passthrough for Protected Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UAV landing and launch systems face challenges in operating from mobile platforms and uneven terrain, requiring minimal personnel involvement and addressing wind and movement complications, especially for tethered UAVs.
Innovation Solution
A container system with a housing, doors, and a tether passthrough system that allows for secure storage, launch, and landing of UAVs, featuring a tether management system that moves between positions to facilitate flight and protect internal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the container doors are closed to protect internal components during flight, then the protection of internal components is improved, but the tether cannot pass through the doors
Solution Approach 1:
The door is segmented into two parts: a main door structure and a separate tether opening with a tether guide. This allows the door to remain closed for protection while creating a dedicated pathway for the tether to pass through during flight operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A tether guide is introduced as an intermediary component that facilitates tether passage through the closed door. The tether guide moves between a stowed position (when doors are closed) and a deployed position (when tether passage is needed), mediating between the conflicting requirements of door closure and tether access.
2Ease of operation
If the container doors are opened to allow UAV launch and landing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the internal components are exposed to environmental hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The door system is segmented to allow selective opening: the main door can remain closed to protect internal components, while the tether opening and tether guide provide the necessary access for tethered UAV operations without requiring full door opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether guide is designed to be movable between stowed and deployed positions, allowing the system to dynamically adapt between the closed-protected state and the open-access state as needed for different operational phases.
3Ease of operation
If the tether guide is positioned to allow tether passage through closed doors, then the tether management is improved, but the UAV cannot be stored in the container
Solution Approach 1:
The tether guide is designed as a movable component that can be positioned in different states: deployed outward to allow tether passage through closed doors during flight, and retracted or stowed inward to clear the container interior when UAV storage is required. This dynamic positioning resolves the conflict between tether management and storage versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether guide is positioned in advance to the appropriate state based on the operational requirement: stowed before UAV storage operations to ensure clear access to the container interior, and deployed before tethered flight operations to enable tether passage through closed doors.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods related to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch/landing platforms for tethered UAV flights are provided. A system includes a container configured to store a UAV includes a housing and one or more doors and a tether passthrough system configured to provide a tether pathway for a tether from an interior of the housing to the UAV through the at least one door during a tethered UAV flight. The tether passthrough system includes a tether guide configured to move between a first position facilitating storage of the UAV and a second position fitting securely within an opening of at least one door. A plug or cover may be adapted to close the opening when the doors are closed to protect the interior of the housing.