Feasibility Study of an Aerial Lifting Device Using Aerodynamic Drag for Ascent

Abstract

Flying typically involves thrust or buoyancy in order to climb in altitude while trying to minimize drag. These setups can result in large, energy-exhaustive mechanisms. This paper presents a novel alternative to the traditional approaches of flying by utilizing aerodynamic drag. Drag can be used as an opposing force needed to lift a load off of the ground. The concept is verified through a series of experiments in which a balloon is used to lift a parachute to a desired height, and then an actuator with a load on the ground retracts a rope connected to the parachute. Aerodynamic drag is translated into a lifting force. This cost-effective, energy efficient, and modular method can increase the mobility of robots, delivery systems etc.

BALLU2: A Safe and Affordable Buoyancy Assisted Biped

“…Though it is not published, LEONARDO from Aerospace Robotics and Control at Caltech ( 2019) is another bipedal robot with drone-like propellers. On a more extreme note, the feasibility of a combination of propellers, buoyancy force, and active rappelling to lift rigid bodies has also been studied by Lin et al (2019). Ghassemi and Hong (2016) introduced the first iteration of BALLU to verify the concept of buoyancy assisted legged robot, but it was limited to teleoperation using radio control signals.…”

“…Though it is not published, LEONARDO from Aerospace Robotics and Control at Caltech (2019) is another bipedal robot with drone-like propellers. On a more extreme note, the feasibility of a combination of propellers, buoyancy force, and active rappelling to lift rigid bodies has also been studied by Lin et al (2019) .…”