Design, Testing, and Realisation of a Medium Size Aerostat Envelope

A. Kumar; S.C. Sati; A.K. Ghosh

doi:10.14429/dsj.66.9291

A. Kumar Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, Agra
S.C. Sati Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, Agra
A.K. Ghosh Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.66.9291

Keywords: Aerostat envelope, shape optimisation, payload capacity, tether profile

Abstract

The design, testing and realisation aspects during the development of a medium size aerostat envelope in the present work. The payload capacity of this aerostat is 300 kg at 1 km above mean sea level. The aerostat envelope is the aerodynamically shaped fabric enclosure part of the aerostat which generally uses helium for lifting useful payloads to a specified height. The envelope volume estimation technique is discussed which provides the basis for sizing. The design, material selection, testing and realisation aspects of this aerostat envelope are also discussed. The empirical formulas and finite element analysis are used to estimate the aerodynamic, structural and other design related parameters of the aerostat. Equilibrium studies are then explained for balancing forces and moments in static conditions. The tether profile estimation technique is discussed to estimate blow by distance and tether length. A comparison of estimated and measured performance parameters during trials has also been discussed.

Author Biographies

A. Kumar, Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, Agra

Mr A. Kumar obtained his BTech (Mechanical Engineering) from BIT Sindri in 2003 and M.Tech (Aerospace Engineering) from IISc Bangalore in 2005. Presently, he is Scientist ‘D’ in ADRDE Agra. He is mainly working in the area of : Aerostat envelope design, structural and dynamic analysis of aerostat envelope. His interests also include stress analysis and fracture mechanics.

S.C. Sati, Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, Agra

Dr S.C. Sati obtained his BTech (Mechanical Engineering) from MNR Engg College, Allahabad University, in 1979, MTech (Mechanical Engineering) from IIT Bombay, in 1996 and PhD from Pune University, in 2011. Presently, he is Director General (Naval Systems) in DRDO. He has also served as Director ADRDE Agra. His research interests include : Dynamic modelling and simulation, hydraulics, launcher design, stress analysis, aerostat and airship design.

A.K. Ghosh, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

Prof A.K. Ghosh obtained his MTech and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kanpur. Presently he is Professor in Aerospace Engineering Department at IIT Kanpur. His research interest includes : Flight mechanics, parameter estimation from flight images, neural modelling, design of air borne stores: aircraft bombs, artillery shells and rockets design of control law of guided missiles.