Preliminary Design of a Multi-Functional Textile based Tether for High Altitude Aerostat Systems

Abstract

Amool Raina , Martin Kolloch , and Thomas Gries

Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) technology based platforms like Tethered Aerostats have been used for several applications including surveillance, aerial photography, etc. Several challenges impede the successful mass commercialisation of such systems. One of the challenges faced during operation is the loss of altitude due to leakage of Hydrogen or Helium due to permeability issues resulting from the choice of envelope material. In order to reduce operational costs, a proposed methodology for developing a multi-functional tether is proposed. Conductive elements, including lightening protection cables, will be embedded into the tether structure. Also, the tether will have a passage for transport of the lighter than air gas or superheated steam (for a hot air aerostat system. This multi-layered tether structure will be manufactured using a 2D/3D braiding process. Braided structures present a lower susceptibility to breakage and have been proven to achieve higher load bearing capacities as compared to traditionally woven structures. Braiding also presents itself as a cost effective solution for high volume manufacturing currently being used by several other industries. This paper will present a preliminary design for the layout and manufacturing of this multifunctional tether structure.

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