Active tether control for a tethered multirotor
Abstract
A control system and method for tensioning an active tether for a multirotor unmanned aerial system is provided. The control system includes a tensioning pulley and a tensioning spring. The tensioning spring is arranged to generate a variable tension force on the active tether. A transducer is connected adjacent to the tensioning spring to sense a linear displacement position of the tensioning pulley and to transmit a position signal to a controller. The position signal is proportional to the linear displacement position. A servomotor in communication with the controller receives a control signal from the controller in response to the position signal. The servomotor drives a cable reel. The cable reel is rotatably mounted in the frame for spooling the tether in response to rotation of the servomotor. The cable reel is rotated by the servomotor to maintain a predetermined tension on the tensioning spring.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 2222106
- Patent Number(s):
- 11724923
- Application Number:
- 16/875,010
- Assignee:
- National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (Albuquerque, NM)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B64 - AIRCRAFT B64F - GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B65 - CONVEYING B65H - HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- DOE Contract Number:
- NA0003525
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 05/15/2020
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Citation Formats
Callow, Diane Schafer, Spencer, Steven James, and Rose, Scott E. Active tether control for a tethered multirotor. United States: N. p., 2023.
Web.
Callow, Diane Schafer, Spencer, Steven James, & Rose, Scott E. Active tether control for a tethered multirotor. United States.
Callow, Diane Schafer, Spencer, Steven James, and Rose, Scott E. Tue .
"Active tether control for a tethered multirotor". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/2222106.
@article{osti_2222106,
title = {Active tether control for a tethered multirotor},
author = {Callow, Diane Schafer and Spencer, Steven James and Rose, Scott E.},
abstractNote = {A control system and method for tensioning an active tether for a multirotor unmanned aerial system is provided. The control system includes a tensioning pulley and a tensioning spring. The tensioning spring is arranged to generate a variable tension force on the active tether. A transducer is connected adjacent to the tensioning spring to sense a linear displacement position of the tensioning pulley and to transmit a position signal to a controller. The position signal is proportional to the linear displacement position. A servomotor in communication with the controller receives a control signal from the controller in response to the position signal. The servomotor drives a cable reel. The cable reel is rotatably mounted in the frame for spooling the tether in response to rotation of the servomotor. The cable reel is rotated by the servomotor to maintain a predetermined tension on the tensioning spring.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2023},
month = {8}
}
Works referenced in this record:
Persistent Aerial Communication and Control System
patent-application, May 2020
- Anderson, Bretton E.; Lafountain, Philip N.; Zaparovanny, Alexey
- US Patent Application 16/833491; 20200225684
Capstan winch with fixed internally grooved sleeve
patent, January 1994
- Kreuter, Kenneth G.
- US Patent Document 5,280,879
Film Dispenser for a Wrapping Apparats and Related Methods
patent-application, October 2021
- Lopes, Guy
- US Patent Application 17/224375; 20210309401
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Tether Spool
patent-application, March 2021
- Briggs, IV, Fred Melvelle; Stave, Todd
- US Patent Application 16/555626; 20210061487
Reactive Tether Spool
patent-application, September 2017
- Briggs, IV, Fred Melvelle; Stave, Todd
- US Patent Application 15/456096; 20170259941
Continuous cable rotary drive apparatus
patent, October 1996
- Carson, Donald G.
- US Patent Document 5,562,556
Apparatus and Methods for Tethered Aerial Platform and System
patent-application, March 2016
- Hess, Kevin
- US Patent Application 14/858467; 20160083115
System and Method for Unmanned Aerial Signal Relay
patent-application, December 2020
- Piasecki, Michael W.; Pawelczyk, Jr., Joseph s.; Field, Jeffrey
- US Patent Application 16/436307; 20200385115