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Trajectory Dynamics Simulation of a Phase Change Lighter-Than-Air System
Journal
AIAA AVIATION 2022 Forum
Date Issued
2022-01-01
Author(s)
Babu, K. M.Kiran
Nikam, Hemant Baban
Pant, Rajkumar S.
Abstract
Altitude control of a Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) system is a very critical performance parameter in the operation of LTA systems. Several techniques are used for altitude control, e.g., the use of Ballonets or controlling the temperature of lifting gas. Buoyancy can be altered by vaporizing or condensing a phase change fluid (PCF), which can help achieve altitude control. Such a system can be made to traverse a specific altitude band, by condensation and evaporation of PCF as a function of heat transfer from the ambient. In the present study, a model for predicting the trajectory of a PCF based LTA system has been developed, by coupling a model for phase change with a thermal model. The trajectory computed by this model is validated against the actual trajectory of a terrestrial balloon-based experiment carried out in the early nineties by JPL. The paper also discusses the sensitivity of critical performance parameters on the trajectory.