Search

This paper presents a dynamical analysis of a tethered aerostat using a multibody simulation tool called SimscapeMultibody™. Tethered aerostats are lighter than air vehicles that float in the air and are connected to the ground through the tether. Atmospheric winds are a source of disturbance to the aerostat. The wind produces drag force that causes the aerostat to displace from its mean position. This phenomenon is called blow-by. Solving the mathematical model of the motion dynamics with time step is the conventional method used for simulating the flight dynamics of the aerostat. This paper discusses the application of Simscape Multibody™ for the three-degrees-of-freedom flight dynamic simulation of spherical tethered aerostat. Simscape Multibody™, an extension of MATLAB®/Simulink, is a multibody modeling tool in which physical bodies and their interactions have to be defined to simulate the dynamics. The mathematical model of the defined system is automatically generated by the SimscapeMultibody™ solver, and the system dynamics is simulated. The simulation of dynamics using multibody modeling tools provides high fidelity simulation for the tethered aerostats.

The Aerostats are lighter-than-air (LTA) systems that are used to carry important payloads at specified altitudes. Tethered aerostats are connected to the ground via a tether that maintains the position and provides power. Aerostats have to operate in various atmospheric conditions depending on their mission. This paper presents a literature review on the different envelope shapes of the tethered aerostats. Aerostat envelope contains the LTA gas that provides the lift force to carry the payload in the air. This research paper presents a comprehensive literature review on the different shapes of aerostat envelopes. The review has been presented to highlight the design process of the different aerostat envelope shapes that includes sizing, aerodynamics and stability. In addition to the design factors, this paper also presents a review on the applications of different aerostat envelope shapes. Information related to the different design parameters and limitations of aerostat envelopes is also provided.