Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to composite air vehicles. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a composite air vehicle system comprising a heavier-than-air vehicle (HTA), a lighter-than-air vehicle (LTA), and a tether coupled between the HTA and the LTA such that the LTA supports the HTA.
There is a current need for an airborne vehicle capable of performing surveillance, reconnaissance, communications, weapons delivery, or other missions, which can remain aloft for long periods of time. Because HTAs require propulsion to stay aloft, their endurance is limited by their fuel capacity and payload. The High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) aircraft community has focused considerable effort over the past twenty years on designs to extend vehicle endurance up to one or two days, with future advanced concept designs targeting four to five days. However, airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission requirements have lasted much longer than four to five days, as evidenced in recent theatres of conflict and other applications. Additionally, other missions such as communications relay, electronic warfare, and weapons delivery may also involve extended duration mission requirements. Furthermore, operational costs of carrying out these missions vary inversely as a function of aircraft endurance.
On the other hand, LTAs often have adequate endurance and ample payload capacity but lack the propulsion and energy means required to keep a large LTA in one location, given the winds at high altitude. Additionally, LTAs are limited by materials technology. For example, ultraviolet radiation causes degradation at high altitude over periods of time. LTAs are further limited by operational constraints on takeoff and landing as well as survivability in military environments.
An HTA and an LTA can be coupled together in order to utilize the positive characteristics of each while mitigating the negative factors. By coupling an HTA and an LTA using a tether such that the LTA supports the HTA, the system described herein can benefit from the lift provided by the LTA. At the same time, the system can exploit the station-keeping propulsion provided by the HTA. Such a system is desirable because the HTA can conserve fuel and remain aloft in one location for greater periods of time. The LTA can be simple, inexpensive, and expendable. Additionally, the system described herein can utilize currently available HTAs and LTAs with relatively minor design modifications.
The above and other aspects of the invention may be carried out in one embodiment by a system comprising an HTA, an LTA, and a tether coupled between the HTA and the LTA such that the LTA can support the HTA. The HTA may include a mission payload. Also, the system may further comprise remote control or data collection subsystems for remote or autonomous control.
Another embodiment is an LTA comprising a body having a lighter-than-air gas, an attachment mechanism, and a tether configured for supporting a heavier-than-air body and having an end configured for coupling to the attachment mechanism.
Another embodiment is an HTA comprising an aircraft having a propulsion system, an attachment mechanism defining at least one attachment location on the aircraft, and a tether configured for supporting the aircraft and having an end configured for coupling to the attachment mechanism.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the figures.
The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the invention or the application and uses of such embodiments. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
The HTA 102 has a propulsion system which can be used to provide station-keeping for the system 100, and which can be used for other maneuvering of the HTA and/or the LTA 104. In a preferred embodiment, the HTA 102 is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of a fixed wing design. A preferred embodiment of the HTA 102 also has a payload sufficient to carry equipment necessary for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) or other missions. One embodiment of the HTA 102 may be realized as an ALTAIR aircraft manufactured by GENERAL ATOMICS. The ALTAIR craft has adequate payload to carry the PREDATOR mission payload and the ALTAIR craft is powered by a 700 horsepower turboprop engine. In practice, the propulsion system of the HTA 102 may utilize other technologies such as, without limitation: jet engines; piston-powered propellers; hybrid gas/electric propulsion; or electric propulsion. Additionally, the ALTAIR craft is approximately 11 meters in length and has a mass of approximately 3200 kilograms. Another embodiment of the HTA 102 may be realized as an ALTUS II craft, also manufactured by GENERAL ATOMICS. The ALTUS II craft is approximately 7.3 meters in length and has a mass of approximately 725 kilograms. An embodiment of the HTA 102 may also include some modification of the ALTAIR or ALTUS II, such as increasing the propeller diameter or adding additional propeller blades.
The LTA 104 may be a balloon, a bag, a blimp, an aerostat, a shell, or any suitable component having virtually any suitable shape that is filled with a lighter-than-air gas, such as helium or hydrogen. A preferred embodiment of the LTA 104 is realized as an aerostat having aerodynamic characteristics (shape, configuration, and/or other features that provide aerodynamic qualities). The LTA 104 relies on buoyancy for lift, not on dynamic lift. In a preferred embodiment, the LTA 104 is a low-cost, unpowered, unmanned, disposable component which provides lift for the system 100. The LTA 104 may have a diameter (at its widest point) in the range of approximately 15 to 36 meters. The specific size, shape, and configuration of the LTA 104 will be dictated by the mass of the HTA, required operational altitude, cost constraints, weight restrictions, visibility considerations, stability considerations, and other practical conditions. The LTA 104 is configured for coupling to the tether 106 at attachment location 108. Although a single attachment location 108 may be utilized as depicted in
A preferred embodiment of the tether 106 will have a first end configured for coupling to the attachment mechanism of the LTA 104 and a second end configured for coupling to the HTA 102. In this example, the tether 106 is “dumb” because it does not carry power or communications. Rather, the tether 106 is primarily utilized as a load-bearing component; the tether 106 may be configured to support the selected HTA vehicle. Of course, the load rating of the tether 106 may be selected to accommodate the weight of the HTA 102 and to accommodate anticipated dynamic forces caused by environmental conditions, equipment located on the HTA 102, and/or propulsion of the HTA 102. In practice, the tether 106 can be inexpensive and lightweight compared to traditional ground-anchored tethers. The tether 106 may be formed from any appropriate material having the desired physical properties and load rating. For example, tether 106 may be formed from a flexible, high-strength, low-density material such as Zylon or Kevlar polymer products, or the like. In another embodiment, the tether 106 may be rigid or partially rigid. A length of the tether 106 may be within a wide range, depending on mission goals. A length of the tether between the HTA 102 and the LTA 104 may have a wide range, depending on mission goals. In one embodiment, the tether is less than 500 feet. However, embodiments with very short (e.g., a few feet) or very long (e.g., 20,000 feet) do not depart from the scope of this invention. Also, the length of the tether 106 may be changeable during system operation, such as with the use of a reel to bring the HTA and LTA closer together, farther apart, or into contact with each other. A thickness of the tether is selected to provide the desired load rating for supporting the HTA 102 and for towing the LTA 104 against wind forces.
In a preferred embodiment of the system 100, the propulsion system on the HTA 102 can be throttled to produce a force in order to provide station-keeping for the system 100. As used herein, the term “station-keeping” refers to maneuvers that maintain the system 100 within a specified area relative to a designated reference position. For example, the station-keeping area or distance for the system 100 may correspond to a range of up to 20,000 meters away from the reference location, depending on mission application. The actual station-keeping distance may vary from one deployment to another.
One embodiment of the system 200 may include an energy collection subsystem 208. The energy collection subsystem 208 may be comprised of solar panels, low-cost solar cells, or any suitable energy collection device, mechanism, or apparatus, and may be located on the HTA 202 and/or the LTA 204. For example, the energy collection subsystem 208 may utilize solar cells on the outer surface of the HTA 202 and/or the LTA 204. A preferred embodiment of system 200 does not include an energy collection subsystem 208 at the LTA 204 because the LTA 204 is designed to be passive, inexpensive, and expendable. The system 200 might also have a suitably configured energy storage subsystem 210, located on the HTA 202 and/or the LTA 204; the energy storage subsystem 210 may cooperate with the energy collection subsystem 208 to serve as a power source for the system 200. A preferred embodiment of system 200 does not include an energy storage subsystem 210 at the LTA 204 because the LTA 204 is designed to be passive, inexpensive, and expendable. Accordingly, either an energy collection subsystem 208 or an energy storage subsystem 210 would be an enhancement and is not required for an HTA-LTA system, such as the system described above in conjunction with
Also depicted in
One advantage of the composite HTA/LTA system is that at mission completion, when the LTA is no longer needed to provide or maintain lift for the system, the LTA can be jettisoned. Thus by carrying any costly equipment on the HTA and recovering the HTA at mission completion, the LTA can be made in the least costly manner possible. The HTA could be recovered by allowing it to return under its own power either remotely or autonomously controlled. If desired, the LTA could also be recovered, either apart from or with the HTA. In this regard,
It should be appreciated that
An HTA in a composite aircraft system as described herein may utilize its propulsion system to maintain the system within a desired station-keeping area. The methodology of how this is done depends on the type of station-keeping required and the forces such as winds causing the system to displace from its desired location. Since winds are perceived as the most disruptive force, the following analysis focuses on that factor, but other forces may be present. Two disparate mission requirements are possible. In one, the system is to maintain a placement in the sky to within a few hundred meters. In the other, the system could move around in a certain area (e.g., a “box” that is ten kilometers on a side). The station-keeping requirements will be different for these scenarios. In addition, there may be three types of disruptive winds: no wind, light wind, or high wind. Table 1 describes possible station-keeping regimes against different wind and location tolerances.
Propulsion may be applied in a controlled manner to compensate for wind, turbulence, thermal currents, and other environmental conditions. In this regard,
Feasibility Study
The low wind/tight station-keeping scenario presents the requirement of maintaining control within a constrained area. In that case, the HTA is required to fly in tight circles, pulling the LTA against the wind force and maintaining enough airflow over the control surfaces. The forces involved can be complicated, but they all must balance to ensure that the HTA/LTA system remains within its required airspace.
A composite HTA/LTA vehicle can be deployed as a practical working embodiment, as demonstrated in this section, which refers to
Referring to
R=P sin(φ1−φ2); R is the circular radius corresponding to the tethered flight path of the HTA.
The angle φ2 is defined as the angle from the vertical that defines the center of the circle that the aircraft is moving around. β is the angle that defines the aircraft's path within the circle, and γ is the angle that defines the angle away from the centerline. The following relationships apply:
Speed=Vp
Circle=2πR=2πP sin(φ1−φ2)
this is the time required for the HTA to complete one rotation.
β is the radial angle away from the LTA/HTA centerline.
With reference also to
Here, α defines the angle away from the x-y plane that the aircraft is making as it spins around the circle.
With reference also to
the coefficient of lift CL is a function of the bank angle that the aircraft makes as it spins around the circle.
With reference to
While at least one example embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the example embodiment or embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the described embodiment or embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the invention, where the scope of the invention is defined by the claims, which includes known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents at the time of filing this patent application.