Dynamic Response to Turbulence of Tethered Lighter-Than-Air Platforms

DOI: 10.2514/1.C031137 The study presented in this paper concerns the development of an algorithm, based on finite element analysis, for the dynamic simulation of a tethered lighter-than-air balloon when subjected to operational conditions. The main features of the algorithm are described, highlighting the advantages of this approach when performing dynamic analysis. The input parameters considered in the method are derived from experimental and simulated data, which are elaborated to obtain the static and dynamic atmospheric properties in terms of mean windspeed profile, discrete gusts, and continuous turbulence. In particular, the algorithm is employed to perform a thorough analysis of a specific high-altitude tethered platform operating in a realistic design scenario. The dynamic behavior of the system is evaluated in terms of displacements and tether forces. The results, even though they are obtained for a specific example application, demonstrate the general viability of the algorithm proposed for the evaluation of the dynamic response of high-altitude tethered platforms and for the preliminary assessment of the technical feasibility of these systems.

[1]  Wilhelm Warta,et al.  Solar cell efficiency tables (Version 32) , 2008 .

[2]  S. Redi,et al.  Harnessing High-Altitude Solar Power , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion.

[3]  In Lee,et al.  Analysis of Tethered Aerostat Response Under Atmospheric Turbulence Considering Nonlinear Cable Dynamics , 2009 .

[4]  S. Levitus,et al.  US Government Printing Office , 1998 .

[5]  C. Williamson,et al.  MULTIPLE MODES OF VORTEX-INDUCED VIBRATION OF A SPHERE , 2001 .

[6]  Pierre Y. Bely,et al.  High-altitude aerostats as astronomical platforms , 1995, Defense, Security, and Sensing.

[7]  Guglielmo S. Aglietti.  Dynamic Response of a High-Altitude Tethered Balloon System , 2009 .

[8]  Charles H. K. Williamson,et al.  Vortex-induced motions of a tethered sphere , 1996 .

[9]  Meyer Nahon,et al.  Experimental testing and modeling of a tethered spherical aerostat in an outdoor environment , 2009 .

[10]  Meyer Nahon,et al.  Analysis and Design of Robust Helium Aerostats , 2007 .

[11]  T. W. Lambert,et al.  Modern estimation of the parameters of the Weibull wind speed distribution for wind energy analysis , 2000 .

[12]  L. Gordon,et al.  The Gamma Function , 1994, Series and Products in the Development of Mathematics.

[13]  Meyer Nahon,et al.  Dynamics/Control of a Radio Telescope Receiver Supported by a Tethered Aerostat , 2002 .

[14]  J. Spurk.  Boundary Layer Theory , 2019, Fluid Mechanics.

[15]  J. Bunn,et al.  Dynamic Simulation of High Altitude Tethered Balloon System Subject to Thunderstorm Windfield , 2002 .

[16]  E. Achenbach,et al.  Experiments on the flow past spheres at very high Reynolds numbers , 1972, Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

[17]  T. Maxworthy.  Experiments on the Flow Around a Sphere at High Reynolds Numbers , 1969 .

[18]  Meyer Nahon,et al.  Stability Analysis of a Tethered Aerostat , 2002 .

[19]  Surjit Badesha,et al.  Very high altitude tethered balloon parametric sensitivity study , 1996 .

[20]  J. Delaurier.  A Stability Analysis for Tethered Aerodynamically Shaped Balloons , 1972 .

[21]  S. P. Jones,et al.  Nonlinear Dynamic Simulation of a Tethered Aerostat , 1982 .

[22]  C. Williamson,et al.  Vortex-Induced Vibrations , 2004, Wind Effects on Structures.

[23]  A. Tatnall,et al.  An Evaluation of a High Altitude Solar Radiation Platform , 2010 .

[24]  P. Davidson,et al.  Lifting options for stratospheric aerosol geoengineering: advantages of tethered balloon systems , 2012, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences.