US 2021/0362864 A1 · WEDGE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

Aspects of the technology relate to a braking assembly for a lateral propulsion system of a high altitude platform (HAP) configured to operate in the stratosphere. Power is supplied to a propeller assembly as needed during lateral propulsion so that the HAP can move to a desired location or remain on station. When lateral propulsion is not needed, power is no longer supplied to the propeller assembly and it may slowly cease rotating. However, in certain situations, it may be necessary to cause the propeller assembly to stop rotating as soon as possible. This can include an unplanned descent. Rapid braking can avoid the propeller blades from entangling in the envelope, parachute or other parts of the HAP. A reusable brake is employed to prevent uncontrolled rotation of the propeller on descent, or otherwise to prevent the propeller from spinning freely when not being used to propel the HAP laterally.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for controlling lateral propulsion in a high altitude platform configured to operate in the stratosphere, the method comprising:

causing, by a brake control module, an electromagnet of a brake assembly of the high altitude platform to energize;
causing, by the brake control module, a solenoid of the brake assembly of the high altitude platform to energize;
judging, by the brake control module and based on the energized electromagnet and the energized solenoid, that a brake pad of the brake assembly has disengaged from contact with a hub of a propeller assembly;
and
in response to the judging, causing the propeller assembly to spin at a selected rate in a selected direction to cause the high altitude platform to move in a specified direction.

2 more elements

A brake control module for a high altitude platform configured to operate in the stratosphere, the high altitude platform including a balloon envelope configured to contain a lighter than air gas and a propulsion system including a propeller assembly to drive the high altitude platform in a lateral direction and a brake mechanism configured to stop rotation of the propeller assembly, the brake control module comprising:

one or more processors configured to implement braking logic to enable the propeller assembly to rotate during operation and to cause the propeller assembly to cease rotation upon occurrence of a selected condition;
wherein the braking logic includes evaluation of different states of operation of the brake mechanism, the different states of operation including (i) an engaged state when a brake pad of the brake mechanism is engaged with a propeller hub of the propeller assembly, (ii) a disengaged state when the brake pad is fully disengaged from the propeller hub so that the propeller assembly can freely rotate for propulsion of the high altitude platform, and (iii) a release state occurring between the engaged state and the disengaged state.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wedge brake control system and method

Life of this patent

Wedge brake control system and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20