Breaking apart a platform upon pending collision

Abstract

A method and system for separating and releasing component parts of a payload of a floating platform in response to a high collision probability is disclosed. The method includes, determining if an in-flight aircraft is within at least a safety zone associated with a floating platform, wherein the floating platform comprises releasably-coupled component parts; and activating, responsive to a determination that the in-flight aircraft is within at least the safety zone, a release mechanism, wherein the release mechanism is configured to uncouple the component parts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A zone-based release mechanism, comprising:
 a processor to determine if an in-flight aircraft is within at least a zone associated with a floating platform as a collision zone or a safety zone; and   a device operable to release a one or more component parts from the floating platform upon activation of the zone-based release mechanism wherein the one or more component parts descend to earth under gravity if the in-flight aircraft is in the collision zone or the one or more component parts is operable to be separated so as to remain attached to the floating platform by a one or more lines to provide distance between the one or more component parts that allow functionality of the one or more component parts if the in-flight aircraft is in the safety zone.   
     
     
         2 . The zone-based release mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the zone is determined based on one or more of physical distances, time to closest of approach of the in-flight aircraft, and closure rate of the in-flight aircraft. 
     
     
         3 . The zone-based release mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the collision zone excludes a volume of space directly below the floating platform configured such that a release of the one or more component parts, while the in-flight aircraft is directly below and close to the floating platform, is prevented. 
     
     
         4 . The zone-based release mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the zone is operable to be changed based on operating environment and factors such as, time of a day, visual conditions, airspace type and population density at a geolocation of the floating platform. 
     
     
         5 . The zone-based release mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the collision zone is a space surrounding the floating platform defining a volume wherein a risk of collision is high. 
     
     
         6 . The zone-based release mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein the risk of collision is determined based on a method for a probability of collision between the in-flight aircraft and the floating platform, comprising:
 obtaining a current position and a flight vector of the floating platform;   obtaining a relative position of the in-flight aircraft relative to the current position of the floating platform;   a relative flight—path vector of the in-flight aircraft relative to the flight vector of the floating platform; and   determining the probability of collision between the in-flight aircraft and the floating platform;   wherein the method is configured to determine the probability of collision based on the relative position of the in-flight aircraft and the relative flight—path vector of the in-flight aircraft.   
     
     
         7 . The zone-based release mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the safety zone is a volume of airspace surrounding the collision zone defining an area where collision is not imminent, but increased safety precautions are required. 
     
     
         8 . The zone-based release mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more component parts remain connected to a payload or remaining of the one or more component parts after separation by the one or more lines wherein the one or more lines may include strings, wires, fiber optic cables, tubing, etc. wherein lines may carry power, data, gases, rotary motion, vibration, etc. to allow continued full or partial operation of the one or more component parts connected to the one or more lines. 
     
     
         9 . The zone-based release mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more lines contain dereelers or rubber components to reduce shock upon full extension of the one or more lines wherein a line length and strength may be set greater than a threshold, and/or to meet a regulator requirement. 
     
     
         10 . The zone-based release mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein one or more connectors may connect the one or more lines to the one or more component parts or to other lines wherein such connectors may be adapted to transmit fluids, pressure, data, electrical power, light e.g., connector for optic fiber cables, heat, rotary motion and so on. 
     
     
         11 . The zone-based release mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein one or more connectors may slide apart, have a pre-set pull-apart resistance, have a spring contact, or may be magnetically coupled. 
     
     
         12 . The zone-based release mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the zone-based release mechanism is operable to include at least one of an electrical connector, a magnetic connector, an electromagnetic connector, a pneumatic connector, and a hydraulic connector, wherein a connector of the zone-based release mechanism is configured to uncouple upon activation. 
     
     
         13 . The zone-based release mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the zone-based release mechanism is configured to include at least one of a solenoid, a motorized drum, a spring loaded blade, a thermal cutter, an electrically releasable glue, a magnetically releasable fastener, and a chemically releasable fastener. 
     
     
         14 . The zone-based release mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more component parts are coupled using spring loaded connectors or using a cord configured to be severed upon activation of the zone-based release mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . A system, comprising:
 a processor configured to determine an occurrence of a pre-determined event between a floating platform and an aircraft;   the floating platform comprising a payload comprising a releasably coupled one or more component parts, wherein the payload of the floating platform comprises a power supply, a battery, a ballast system, an antenna system, an electronic system, a housing, or any combination thereof, wherein at least one of the releasably coupled one or more component parts is coupled to a recovery system;   a release mechanism comprising a device that is configured to uncouple, upon activation, at least one of the releasably coupled one or more component parts; and   a controller configured to activate the release mechanism in response to the occurrence of the pre-determined event;   wherein at least one of the releasably coupled one or more component parts has a weight or density less than a certain value permissible under an aviation guideline.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the pre-determined event include one or more of a command received from a ground station in communication with the floating platform, a mission termination command, determination that the floating platform has entered a prohibited or restricted airspace and determination that the aircraft is within at least a safety zone or a collision zone relative to the floating platform. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the recovery system for released components to return to earth is on parachutes and/or is by a homing beacon that broadcasts its position using GPS coordinates. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  or  16 , wherein the release mechanism is operable to release the releasably coupled one or more component parts from the floating platform upon activation wherein the releasably coupled one or more component parts descend to earth under gravity if the aircraft is in the collision zone or the releasably coupled one or more component parts are configured to be separated so as to remain attached to the floating platform by a one or more lines to provide distance between the releasably coupled one or more component parts that allow functionality if the aircraft is in the safety zone. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the release mechanism is configured to include at least one of a connector, a solenoid, a motorized drum, a spring-loaded blade, a thermal cutter, an electrically releasable glue, a magnetically releasable fastener, and a chemically releasable fastener; the connector comprising at least one of an electrical connector, a magnetic connector, an electromagnetic connector, a pneumatic connector or a hydraulic connector, wherein the connector of the release mechanism is configured to uncouple upon activation of the release mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15  or  18 , wherein the release mechanism is configured to keep the releasably coupled one or more component parts remain connected to the payload or other components after separation by the one or more lines wherein the one or more lines may include strings, wires, fiber optic cables, tubing, etc. wherein lines may carry power, data, gases, rotary motion, vibration, etc. to allow continued full or partial operation of the component or components connected to the one or more lines.