摘要:
An aerostat system with an extended flight envelope in which the aerostat system can safely operate is provided. The aerostat system includes an aerostat, multiple tether groups and a base station. Spatially distinct tether groups allow for improved stability and controllability over a wide range of wind conditions. Independent actuation of the tether groups allows for control of the aerostat pitch and roll angle. A rotating platform including rails to rest the aerostat allows docking without auxiliary tethers, minimizing or eliminating the ground crew required to dock traditional aerostat systems. An optional controller allows remote or autonomous operation of the aerostat system.
摘要:
A winch system for controlling the elevation of an aerostats restrained by a cable is provided. The system includes a capstan arrangement configured for reducing the tension in a segment of a cable extending between an aerostats side and a drum side thereof; a spool drum configured for wrapping therearound a segment of the cable extending from the drum side of the capstan arrangement; a first drive mechanism configured to selectively activate the capstan arrangement in a released mode, in which the cable is let out towards the aerostats, and a pulling mode in which the cable is pulled in towards the spool drum; and a second drive mechanism configured to rotate the spool drum in the released mode and in the pulling mode such that the segment of the cable extending from the drum side of the capstan arrangement is pulled in a counter direction to the direction of the tension exerted on the cable.
摘要:
The present invention relates to a system for operating a flying object that is flown from the ground. The flying object operation system includes a flying object that is filled with a gas therein to stay in the sky, a ground unit installed on the ground, a wire unit connecting the flying object to the ground unit, and a buoyancy-generation unit disposed on a side of the flying object to obtain buoyancy through friction with air, thereby transferring the obtained buoyancy to the flying object. In the present invention, since additional wind-derived buoyancy obtained by the buoyancy-generation unit connected to the flying object is further generated, sufficient buoyancy may be supplied to the flying object in a high-altitude environment to stably operate the flying object. Also, since power generated by using the wind power generation unit is transmitted to the ground through the wire unit, the flying object operation system may be utilized as wind power generation equipment.
摘要:
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatus and methods including communication circuits for communicating between a plurality of compartments in a vehicle. An array of flexible cables provides signal-communication paths between the plurality of compartments in the vehicle, with each cable having a glass or silica core region for conveying optical signals, and communicating signals (electrical signals and optical signals) along at least one of the signal-communication paths and between the plurality of compartments in the vehicle. The apparatus and methods also include a plurality of circuits that communicate status-indication signals between locations along the array of flexible cables. The status-indication signals are communicated via the signal-communication paths in the flexible array of cables and are indicative of vehicle-travel modes for reporting a status of the vehicle in a mode relative to travel of the vehicle.
摘要:
A self transportable aerostat system comprising: a first motorized mooring truck; a mooring tower removably attached to a base assembly of the first mooring truck, generally vertically arranged in relation to the bed of the first mooring truck; a proximal and distal boom deck removably attached to the base assembly; a flying sheave for redirecting a tether carried by the base assembly and attachable to an aerostat; a second motorized mooring truck attachable to the outer edge of the distal boom; and, an aerostat truck having an electrical connection for connecting to the first mooring truck and having an aerostat storage compartment for storing the aerostat is a retracted configuration.
摘要:
An apparatus for launching and recovering a lighter-than-air aircraft is provided. The aircraft includes an envelope that is substantially filled before launch with a lift gas and a second gas. The lift gas and second gas are substantially separated in the envelope by a boundary layer of mixed gas, formed by the lift and second gases. The aircraft is supported by one or more masts as the lift gas is injected to achieve the required buoyancy for launch. The aircraft is then released and rises, for example, in an inclined orientation. As the aircraft climbs, the lift gas expands in the envelope, and the second gas is vented therefrom. During horizontal descent, air can be pumped into the envelope to maintain the envelope in a substantially filled configuration. The air and lift gas can be mixed to avoid sloshing and pooling.
摘要:
A system and method for docking an airship to a mooring mast includes a thruster that is mounted to the fore end of the airship. When activated, the thruster generates a thrust vector that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the airship and is selectively directional. In particular, the configuration of the thruster can be changed to vary the direction of the thrust vector around the longitudinal axis to maneuver a connector on the thruster into contact with the mooring mast. Engagement of the connector to the mooring mast then docks the airship to the mooring mast.
摘要:
A release fitting for releasably holding at least one line to at least one item, the release fitting having a first body part, a second body part, and a third body part, the first and second body parts pivotably secured to the third body part, a bolt with a first bolt portion connected to a first portion of the first body part and a second bolt portion connected to a first portion of the second body part, at least one pin suitable for attaching thereto the at least one line, the first body part having a recess for releasably receiving an end of the pin, the bolt initially holding apart the first portion of the first body part and the first portion of the second body part to thereby maintain a second pin end in the recess, the third body part connected to the at least one item, bolt cutter apparatus for selectively cutting the bolt to release the at least one line from the pin.
摘要:
The invention is a mooring tower for a for a lighter-than-vehicle. In detail the invention includes a vertical tower having a vertical and lateral axis. A first support member is mounted on the top of said tower, which is rotatable in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis aligned with the vertical axis of the tower. A second support member is mounted by its first end mounted to the first support member and includes a telescoping second end. The second support member is rotatable in a vertical plane about its first end. The second support member includes an aperture extending therethrough from the first end to the second. A winch is mounted to the vertical tower having a mooring line extending through the aperture in the second member from the first end to and out the second end thereof. Thus a vehicle having the end of the mooring line attached to the nose thereof can be winched to the vertical tower.
摘要:
An improved tether having a central strength member comprised of layers of synthetic fibers surrounded by a thin weatherproof plastic barrier. A current carrying metallic braid surrounds the weatherproof barrier and in a portion of the tether is of a higher strength and denser weave copper than in other areas. An outer protective jacket surrounds the metallic braid and one or more windows are formed by removing a short longitudinal section of the outer jacket above an area of the tether which has the high density metallic braid. The weatherproof barrier, at least in the area where windows are formed, is heat sealed to form a seamless barrier. A relatively soft copper wire is wound around the metallic braid in the window area so as to transfer lightning induced currents in the metallic braid of the tether to a grounding system. The tether may be used in conjunction with an aerostat with the mooring system for the aerostat including a flying sheave which contacts one or more of the windows formed in the tether to complete the discharge path to a ground rod electrically connected to the mooring system.