A universal hydraulic adapter vehicle and method for unmanned aerial vehicles

Abstract

This invention discloses a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle and method for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), belonging to the field of UAV fuel supply technology. The adapter vehicle includes a carrier component, an adapter module, and a measurement and control module. The adapter module and measurement and control module are mounted on the carrier component, allowing for relocation and site switching as needed. The input end of the adapter module is connected to the hydraulic vehicle, and the output end is connected to the UAV, enabling the hydraulic vehicle to be used with different UAV models, supplying hydraulic oil to the UAV system and fuel tank as needed. The measurement and control module monitors the hydraulic oil parameters within the adapter module. The adapter module integrates a pressure supply circuit, a return oil circuit, and a refueling circuit. This invention solves the problems of universality and transportability of fuel supply systems for various UAV models, and addresses the issue of precise pressure and flow regulation during hydraulic oil transmission, while also eliminating noise in the pipeline.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fuel supply technology, specifically relating to a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle and method for UAVs. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of drone technology, various fuel-powered drones have emerged on the market. Due to the overall size limitations of the drone models, the design of drone fuel tanks is relatively small. Therefore, when refueling the drone system and fuel tank, the equipment used must be slow and the pressure must be controlled within the required range. In addition, special types of drones use soft fuel tanks, which need to be evacuated before refueling, and the refueling speed and pressure must not be too high.

[0003] Current UAV hydraulic oil supply systems transmit oil through hydraulic hoses to the UAV system for functions such as energy transfer, wear resistance, system lubrication, corrosion prevention, rust prevention, and cooling. Existing technologies typically employ multi-port, multi-circuit hydraulic hose connections. However, this method suffers from significant noise due to high input oil pressure during supply and return, leading to high-pressure impacts. Furthermore, errors in speed and pressure regulation during transmission are prone to occur; and it lacks compatibility and interchangeability across various UAV models.

[0004] The hydraulic oil manifolds disclosed in the prior art have a complex structure, which makes welding and processing difficult during production, easily causes oil leakage at the interface, and is inconvenient to transport according to the usage site. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved:

[0006] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle and method for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It uses valve blocks to replace pipelines, forming a pressure supply circuit, an oil return circuit, and an oil filling circuit. The hydraulic oil output from the hydraulic vehicle is supplied to various UAV systems at the required pressure and flow rate. The pressure and flow rate are manually adjustable to meet the current usage requirements of UAVs. This invention solves the problems of universality and transfer of hydraulic supply systems for various UAV models, and also solves the problem of precise pressure and flow rate adjustment during hydraulic oil transmission, while eliminating noise in the pipelines.

[0007] The technical solution of this invention is: a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), comprising a load-bearing component, an adapter module, and a measurement and control module; the adapter module and the measurement and control module are mounted on the load-bearing component, allowing for relocation and switching of operating sites as needed; the input end of the adapter module is connected to the hydraulic vehicle, and the output end is connected to the UAV, enabling the hydraulic vehicle to be used with different types of UAVs, and to input hydraulic oil into the UAV system and oil tank as needed; the measurement and control module is used to monitor the hydraulic oil parameters within the adapter module;

[0008] The adapter module integrates a pressure supply circuit, an oil return circuit, and an oil filling circuit.

[0009] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the pressure supply circuit includes a pressure supply circuit valve block, and a filter, a pressure reducing valve, a pressure supply throttle valve, a pressure supply test connector assembly and a pressure supply sensor integrated thereon; the pressure supply circuit valve block has several interconnected channels as connecting pipelines of the pressure supply circuit;

[0010] The filter, pressure reducing valve, and pressure supply throttle valve are respectively connected to the channel inside the pressure supply circuit valve block to filter, reduce pressure, and regulate the flow of the high-pressure oil input by the hydraulic vehicle; the pressure supply sensor is connected to the channel output end through the pressure supply test connector assembly to obtain the oil pressure data output by the pressure supply circuit.

[0011] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the return oil circuit includes a return oil circuit valve block, and a return oil flow meter, a back pressure valve, a return oil pressure testing connector assembly and a return oil pressure sensor integrated thereon; the return oil circuit valve block has several interconnected channels as connecting pipelines of the return oil circuit;

[0012] The return oil flow meter and back pressure valve are respectively connected to the channel inside the return oil circuit valve block, and respectively perform flow detection and pressure regulation on the return oil output by the UAV; the return oil pressure sensor is connected to the channel through the return oil pressure test connector assembly, and is used to obtain the oil pressure data of the return oil circuit.

[0013] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the refueling circuit includes a refueling circuit valve block, and a refueling flow meter, a refueling throttle valve, a refueling pressure testing connector assembly and a refueling pressure sensor integrated thereon; the refueling circuit valve block has several interconnected channels as connecting pipelines of the refueling circuit;

[0014] The refueling flow meter and refueling throttle valve are respectively connected to the channel inside the refueling circuit valve block to detect the flow rate and regulate the pressure of the high-pressure oil input by the hydraulic vehicle; the refueling pressure sensor is connected to the channel output end through the refueling pressure test connector assembly to obtain the oil pressure data output by the refueling circuit.

[0015] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the pressure supply circuit valve block, the oil return circuit valve block, and the refueling circuit valve block are all made of 45 steel forging and the outer surface is nickel-plated; the input end and output end of the channel inside each valve block are respectively connected to the output pipeline of the hydraulic oil truck and the input pipeline of the aircraft system through the adapter interface assembly.

[0016] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the load-bearing component includes a vehicle frame assembly, an instrument bracket, a handle, casters, and a hose reel; the vehicle frame assembly serves as an installation platform for the hydraulic module and the measurement and control module, with casters installed at its bottom and a handle installed on its top side, allowing the user to move the position of the vehicle frame assembly as needed;

[0017] The instrument bracket is mounted on the vehicle body frame assembly and is used to mount the display instrument.

[0018] The hose reel includes multiple L-shaped brackets arranged circumferentially. The lower ends of the multiple L-shaped brackets are all fixed to the vehicle frame assembly and are used to store the hoses connecting the input and output ends of the adapter module.

[0019] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the measurement and control module includes a pressure display instrument and a flow display instrument, which are respectively connected to a flow meter and a pressure sensor.

[0020] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the working pressure of the pressure supply circuit of the adapter module is 0-22MPa, the maximum total flow rate is 100L / min, and the maximum flow rate of a single circuit is designed to be 50L / min; the maximum flow rate of the refueling circuit is not less than 10L / min, and the pressure is not less than 0.7MPa.

[0021] A system pressure supply method for a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) involves first connecting the input and output ends of the adapter module to the hydraulic vehicle and the UAV via hoses and an adapter interface assembly, respectively. Then, the pressurized oil input from the hydraulic vehicle passes through the adapter module's pressure supply circuit, where it is sequentially filtered and purified by a filter, regulated by a pressure reducing valve, and its flow rate is adjusted by a throttle valve. Afterward, the oil is supplied to the UAV user via the adapter interface assembly, providing pressure. Finally, the UAV user's return oil is routed through the adapter interface assembly back into the adapter module's return oil circuit, flowing sequentially through a return oil flow meter, a back pressure valve, and the adapter interface assembly before being output to the hydraulic vehicle's return oil circuit and flowing back to the hydraulic vehicle's oil tank.

[0022] A system refueling method for a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) involves first connecting the input and output ends of the adapter module to the hydraulic vehicle and the UAV respectively via hoses and adapter interface components; then, the pressurized oil input from the hydraulic vehicle flows through the refueling circuit of the adapter module, sequentially through a throttle valve, a flow meter, and an adapter interface component, and is output to the UAV refueling pipeline to supply the UAV user.

[0023] Beneficial effects

[0024] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The vehicle of this invention adopts a universal and modular design concept and structural form, which can meet the working pressure, flow and refueling requirements of various types of aircraft, while realizing the purpose of equipment universalization, modularization, miniaturization, lightweighting and multi-purpose use, and solving the problems of low efficiency, inconvenient transportation, poor interchangeability and universality of current aircraft support and maintenance equipment.

[0025] This invention relates to a universal hydraulic adapter for UAVs, used between medium and large-sized UAVs and hydraulic trucks. It supplies hydraulic oil from the hydraulic truck to the aircraft system at the required pressure and flow rate, which can be manually adjusted. The adapter's pressure supply circuit operates at a pressure of 0–22 MPa, with a maximum total flow rate of 100 L / min and a single-channel maximum flow rate designed at 50 L / min. The maximum refueling flow rate is not less than 10 L / min, and the pressure is not less than 0.7 MPa, meeting the current requirements for UAV use.

[0026] The adapter vehicle adopts a modular and miniaturized design, consisting of three parts: load-bearing components, adapter modules, and measurement and control modules. The load-bearing components are the vehicle body structure, which is welded from profiles and is mainly used to provide an installation and support platform for the hydraulic module and the measurement and control module.

[0027] Both the pressure supply and refueling circuits of the compatible vehicle are equipped with flow meters and pressure sensors to monitor the system's flow and pressure in real time. To meet the requirements of multiple models and for weight reduction, the system uses Clark brand VC series gear flow meters to monitor the flow in both the pressure supply and refueling circuits. The VC series gear flow meters offer a wide measurement range and high accuracy. The pressure supply circuit uses a VC1 type gear flow meter with a flow measurement range of 0.4L / min to 80L / min, while the refueling circuit uses a VC0.2 type gear flow meter with a flow measurement range of 0.16L / min to 16L / min, meeting the flow monitoring needs of various current models.

[0028] The compatible vehicle can be connected to an external power source, and the pressure, temperature and flow rate of the system oil can be displayed through a secondary instrument panel.

[0029] The compatible vehicle dimensions are 615mm×455mm×758mm (length×width×height). The adapter weighs approximately 82kg without the hose, and approximately 18kg with the hose. The specific structure is shown in the figure below. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for unmanned aerial vehicles according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for unmanned aerial vehicles according to the present invention; (a) rear view of the interior of the adapter vehicle, (b) front view of the interior of the adapter vehicle;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) according to the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a system schematic diagram of a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) according to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a structural layout diagram of the adapter module for the present invention;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a structural layout diagram of the pressure supply circuit in the adapter module of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a structural layout diagram of the refueling circuit in the adapter module of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 8 This is a structural layout diagram of the oil return circuit in the adapter module of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 9 The diagram shows the valve block structure in the adapter module of this invention; (a) oil supply circuit valve block; (b) oil return circuit valve block; (c) refueling circuit valve block;

[0039] Figure 10 This includes an overall view of the vehicle body and its internal structure.

[0040] Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of the overall instrument panel bracket for the vehicle body;

[0041] Figure 12 Here is a diagram of the handle structure;

[0042] Figure 13 Here is a diagram of the caster structure;

[0043] Figure 14 Here is a structural diagram of the hose reel;

[0044] Figure 15 Rendering of the chrome-plated valve block;

[0045] Figure 16 This is a diagram of the connector structure;

[0046] Figure 17 This is a diagram of the plug structure;

[0047] Figure 18 This is a structural diagram of a lifting eye bolt.

[0048] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1, 15, 16 - Adapter interface assembly for connection to hydraulic vehicle; 2 - Filter; 3 - Pressure reducing valve; 4 - Pressure supply gauge assembly; 5 - Pressure supply throttle valve; 6, 7, 8 - Adapter interface assembly for connection to aircraft; 9 - Pressure supply flow meter; 10 - Refueling pressure gauge assembly; 11 - Refueling flow meter; 12 - Refueling throttle valve; 13 - Back pressure valve; 14 - Return oil pressure gauge assembly; 17. Vehicle body frame assembly; 18. Instrument bracket; 19. Handle; 20. Casters; 21. Hoses reel. Detailed Implementation

[0049] The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0050] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0051] This embodiment provides a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It uses valve blocks to replace pipelines, forming pressure supply, return, and refueling circuits respectively. The hydraulic oil output from the hydraulic vehicle supplies hydraulic oil to various UAV systems at the required pressure and flow rate. The pressure and flow rate are manually adjustable to meet current UAV usage requirements. This invention solves the problem of universality in hydraulic supply systems for various UAV models and addresses the issue of adjustable pressure and flow rate during hydraulic oil transmission, while also eliminating noise in the pipelines.

[0052] Reference Figure 1-3 As shown, a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) includes a load-bearing component, an adapter module, and a measurement and control module. The adapter module and the measurement and control module are mounted on the load-bearing component and can be moved to different positions as needed. The input end of the adapter module is connected to the hydraulic vehicle, and the output end is connected to the UAV, enabling the hydraulic vehicle to be used for different types of UAVs and to input hydraulic oil into the UAV system and oil tank as needed. The measurement and control module is used to monitor the hydraulic oil parameters in the adapter module.

[0053] Reference Figure 4 , 5As shown, the adapter module integrates a pressure supply circuit, a return oil circuit, and a refueling circuit. The adapter module adopts a modular structure, with the three circuits (refueling, pressure supply, and return oil) designed as three independent modules. The hydraulic components of the three circuits are integrated on the valve blocks of each circuit, using plate connections and fixed to the valve blocks with bolts. Each circuit valve block has pre-installed adapters for the oil supply, return, and refueling interfaces of the hydraulic vehicle and aircraft. Appropriate adapters and connecting hose assemblies can be selected according to actual needs for connection to the aircraft and hydraulic vehicle interfaces. The adapter interface assemblies, hose assemblies, and hydraulic vehicle / aircraft users use national standard and aviation standard threaded fittings for connection. Simultaneously, each valve block is equipped with a pressure testing connector for easy connection of pressure sensors or pressure gauges to detect oil pressure.

[0054] Reference Figure 6 As shown, the pressure supply circuit includes a pressure supply circuit valve block, and integrated thereon a filter 2, a pressure reducing valve 3, a pressure supply throttle valve 5, a pressure supply testing connector assembly, and a pressure supply sensor. The pressure supply circuit valve block has several interconnected channels serving as connecting pipes for the pressure supply circuit. The filter 2, pressure reducing valve 3, and pressure supply throttle valve 5 are respectively connected to the channels within the pressure supply circuit valve block, filtering, reducing pressure, and regulating the flow of the high-pressure oil input from the hydraulic vehicle. The pressure supply sensor is connected to the channel output end through the pressure supply testing connector assembly to acquire the oil pressure data output by the pressure supply circuit. Specifically, the filter 2 is installed at the inlet of the main pressure supply circuit to filter and purify the high-pressure oil supplied by the hydraulic vehicle. The pressure reducing valve 3 is installed on the pressure supply branch lines to adjust the pressure of each branch line according to the needs of the users in each branch. The throttle valve is a plate-type throttle valve with a shut-off function to prevent oil leakage and adjust the oil supply flow according to the flow requirements of the UAV system.

[0055] Reference Figure 7 As shown, the return oil circuit includes a return oil circuit valve block, and integrated thereon a return oil flow meter, a back pressure valve, a return oil pressure testing connector assembly, and a return oil pressure sensor. The return oil circuit valve block has several interconnected channels serving as connecting pipelines for the return oil circuit. The return oil flow meter and back pressure valve are respectively connected to the channels within the return oil circuit valve block, performing flow detection and pressure regulation of the UAV's output return oil. The return oil pressure sensor is connected to the channels through the return oil pressure testing connector assembly to acquire oil pressure data for the return oil circuit. Specifically, the back pressure valve is used to adjust the pressure of the return oil system, simulating the back pressure of the UAV's return oil system. The return oil flow meter is installed at the inlet of each return oil branch, equipped with secondary instruments to monitor the flow rate in the return oil circuit in real time.

[0056] Reference Figure 8As shown, the refueling circuit includes a refueling circuit valve block, and integrated thereon a refueling flow meter 11, a refueling throttle valve, a refueling pressure testing connector assembly, and a refueling pressure sensor. The refueling circuit valve block has several interconnected channels serving as connecting pipes for the refueling circuit. The refueling flow meter 11 and the refueling throttle valve are respectively connected to the channels within the refueling circuit valve block, respectively detecting the flow rate and regulating the pressure of the high-pressure oil input from the hydraulic vehicle. The refueling pressure sensor is connected to the output end of the channel through the refueling pressure testing connector assembly to acquire the oil pressure data output by the refueling circuit. Specifically, the refueling circuit mainly adjusts the flow rate of the hydraulic oil supplied by the hydraulic vehicle and supplies it to the UAV's fuel tank to achieve the refueling function. It mainly consists of a throttle valve, a flow meter, a pressure testing connector assembly, and a pressure sensor. The throttle valve is used to adjust the refueling flow rate, and the flow meter is used to detect the refueling flow rate in real time, with the detected value displayed through a monitoring and control system.

[0057] Reference Figure 9 As shown, the pressure supply circuit valve block, oil return circuit valve block, and refueling circuit valve block are all made of 45 steel forging with nickel plating on the outer surface. The input and output ends of the channels within each valve block are connected to the output pipeline of the hydraulic trolley and the input pipeline of the aircraft system via adapter interface assemblies. Standard inlet, supply, return, and refueling interfaces are pre-installed on the valve blocks, allowing for connection to the aircraft and hydraulic trolley interfaces by selecting appropriate adapter interface assemblies according to actual needs.

[0058] The valve block also integrates a main pressure supply connector, a branch pressure supply connector, a main return oil connector, a branch return oil connector, a refueling inlet connector, a refueling supply connector, lifting eye bolts, and plugs. The lifting eye bolts facilitate the handling and installation / removal of the adapter module, while the plugs prevent debris from entering the interfaces and block unused interfaces, serving a sealing function.

[0059] Reference Figure 16 As shown, the connector is a metric threaded compression fitting, with one end mounted on the valve block and the other end connected to different hydraulic vehicles or drone interfaces by matching different adapter interface components.

[0060] Reference Figure 17 As shown, the plug is used to block the process ports and connector ports on the valve block, thus providing a sealing function.

[0061] Reference Figure 18 As shown, the eye bolt is mainly used to facilitate the handling of the adapter. It is installed on the upper surface of the valve block and uses MISUMI brand A-8 universal eye bolt. (See the technical parameter diagram for the eye bolt.)

[0062]

[0063] Reference Figure 10As shown, the load-bearing components include a vehicle frame assembly, instrument bracket, handles, casters, and hose reel. The vehicle frame assembly serves as an installation platform for the hydraulic and control modules. Casters are mounted on its bottom, and handles are mounted on its top side, allowing users to move the vehicle as needed. The vehicle frame assembly is welded from 25×25×2 square tubing of Q235B carbon steel. The upper and lower base plates, door panels, and control panel are made of 1mm thick aluminum plates, bent or welded. Casters are installed under the vehicle body, equipped with side brakes and steering functions for easy movement and self-locking. After the vehicle body is manufactured, the surface is painted (the paint color is specified by the client).

[0064] Reference Figure 11 As shown, the instrument bracket is mounted on the vehicle body frame assembly and is used to mount the display instrument; the instrument bracket is made of aluminum sheet metal and is bolted to the frame. The instrument bracket consists of two brackets in total.

[0065] Reference Figure 12 As shown, the handle is a corner-mounted aluminum alloy tubular handle.

[0066] Reference Figure 13 As shown, the casters consist of four sets: two sets of fixed casters and two sets of swivel casters with side brakes. The wheel diameter is 100mm, and the material is polyurethane. Each fixed caster has a permissible load of not less than 80kg and a weight of 0.651kg. Each swivel caster with side brakes has a permissible load of not less than 80kg and a weight of 0.875kg.

[0067] Reference Figure 14 As shown, the hose reel includes multiple L-shaped brackets arranged circumferentially. The lower ends of the multiple L-shaped brackets are all fixed to the vehicle frame assembly and are used to house the hoses connecting the input and output ends of the adapter module. Based on the hose arrangement, the weight of the hoses is mainly borne by the vehicle frame assembly; therefore, the L-shaped brackets of the hose reel are made of aluminum alloy with a thickness of 3mm.

[0068] Reference Figure 11 As shown, the measurement and control module includes pressure display instruments and flow display instruments, which are connected to the flow meter and pressure sensor, respectively. Seven sets of secondary display instruments are selected, including four pressure display instruments and three flow display instruments. The four pressure display instruments can be replaced by pressure gauges.

[0069] The working pressure of the pressure supply circuit of the adapter module is 0-22MPa, the maximum total flow rate is 100L / min, and the maximum flow rate of a single circuit is designed to be 50L / min; the maximum flow rate of the refueling circuit is not less than 10L / min, and the pressure is not less than 0.7MPa.

[0070] This embodiment describes a system pressure supply method for a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). First, the input and output ends of the adapter module are connected to the hydraulic vehicle and the UAV via hoses and an adapter interface assembly, respectively. Then, the pressurized oil input from the hydraulic vehicle passes through the pressure supply circuit of the adapter module, is filtered and purified by filter 2, regulated by pressure reducing valve 3, and has its flow rate regulated by throttle valve. Afterward, it is supplied to the UAV user through the adapter interface assembly to provide pressure. Finally, the return oil from the UAV user is then fed back into the return oil circuit of the adapter module through the adapter interface assembly, flows through a flow meter, a back pressure valve, and the adapter interface assembly, and is output to the hydraulic vehicle's return oil circuit, flowing back to the hydraulic vehicle's oil tank.

[0071] This embodiment describes a system refueling method for a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). First, the input and output ends of the adapter module are connected to the hydraulic vehicle and the UAV respectively via hoses and adapter interface components. Then, the pressurized oil input from the hydraulic vehicle flows through the refueling circuit of the adapter module, sequentially through the throttle valve, flow meter, and adapter interface component, and is output to the UAV refueling pipeline to supply the UAV user.

[0072] Example:

[0073] In this embodiment, the working medium is No. 15 aviation hydraulic oil, and the medium temperature is room temperature to 55°C. The main technical parameters of the hydraulic vehicle are detailed in the table below.

[0074] Table 1 Technical parameters of the hydraulic truck

[0075]

[0076]

[0077] The core of the adapter module is responsible for pressure and flow regulation and measurement. The adapter module includes a valve block assembly, a control and measurement assembly, and an adapter interface assembly. The control and measurement assembly mainly comprises three parts: a refueling circuit, a pressure supply circuit, and a return circuit. (Refer to...) Figure 4 As shown.

[0078] 1. Refueling circuit

[0079] The refueling circuit primarily supplies hydraulic oil from the hydraulic truck to the UAV's fuel tank after adjusting its flow rate. It mainly consists of a throttle valve, flow meter, pressure testing connector assembly, and pressure sensor. The throttle valve regulates the refueling flow rate, while the flow meter monitors the flow rate in real time, displaying the measured value through a control system. Operators adjust the throttle valve opening based on the deviation between the measured and required values. The pressure sensor, connected to an external pressure gauge via a pressure testing hose, detects the refueling pressure. The pressure testing connector assembly connects to the pressure sensor on the valve block, facilitating sensor disassembly, replacement, and measurement.

[0080] The refueling circuit flow rate is designed based on a maximum refueling capacity of 12L / min. Since the refueling circuit and the pressure supply circuit share the same flow meter, the working pressure is designed to be 21MPa.

[0081] 2. Pressure supply circuit

[0082] The pressure supply circuit mainly provides hydraulic power to the UAV system user. The high-pressure oil supplied by the hydraulic truck is reduced in pressure by pressure reducing valve 3 and the flow rate is regulated by throttle valve before being supplied to the UAV system.

[0083] The pressure supply circuit mainly consists of filter 2, pressure reducing valve 3, flow meter, throttle valve, pressure testing connector assembly, and pressure sensor. Filter 2 is installed on the main pressure supply line to filter and purify the high-pressure oil supplied by the hydraulic truck. Pressure reducing valve 3 is installed on the pressure supply line and adjusts the pressure according to the required pressure of each branch to meet the pressure requirements of the drone user. The throttle valve is a cartridge-type throttle valve with a shut-off function to prevent oil leakage and adjusts the oil supply flow according to the flow rate required by the drone system. The flow meter is installed at the outlet of the throttle valve and is equipped with a secondary instrument to monitor the flow rate in the main pressure supply line in real time.

[0084] The pressure testing connector assembly is located at the outlet of the throttle valve and detects the supplied pressure through a pressure sensor.

[0085] The maximum operating pressure of the pressure supply circuit is 28 MPa, and the maximum flow rate is 100 L / min. The system adopts a dual pressure supply circuit, with both circuits having identical composition and configuration parameters. Each circuit is designed based on a maximum oil supply flow rate of 50 L / min.

[0086] 3. Oil return circuit

[0087] The return oil circuit connects the UAV's return oil interface and the hydraulic trolley's return oil pipeline via an adapter assembly, mainly consisting of a throttle valve, a pressure testing connector assembly, and a pressure sensor. The throttle valve is used to adjust the pressure of the return oil system, simulating the back pressure of the UAV's return oil system. The pressure testing connector assembly is located at the inlet end of the throttle valve and uses a pressure sensor to detect the return oil pressure. It can also be connected to an external pressure testing hose to vent air from the pipeline.

[0088] Reference Figure 16 As shown, the adapter interface assembly mainly realizes the connection between the adapter and the hydraulic vehicle and the UAV. It consists of two parts: a hydraulic vehicle adapter interface assembly and a UAV adapter interface assembly, which are placed in the adapter junction boxes on both sides of the vehicle body. Since the standard of the interface threads of military and civilian hydraulic vehicles are different, the interfaces of different hydraulic vehicles and UAVs are also different. Therefore, the adapter interface assembly needs to be made after statistically analyzing the interface specifications, thread standards and interface forms of existing hydraulic vehicles.

[0089] The valve block assembly primarily replaces piping, integrating with the control and measurement components into a single module. It also provides an installation interface, allowing connection to hydraulic vehicles and drones via an adapter. The valve block assembly mainly comprises a valve block, a main pressure supply connector, branch pressure supply connectors, a main return oil connector, branch return oil connectors, a refueling inlet connector, a refueling supply connector, eye bolts, and plugs. Eye bolts facilitate the transport and removal of the adapter, while plugs prevent debris from entering the interfaces and block unused interfaces, providing a sealing function.

[0090] The system pipe diameter design calculation in this embodiment is as follows:

[0091] a) Calculation of pressure supply circuit pipe diameter

[0092] The formula for calculating the diameter of hydraulic pipes is as follows:

[0093]

[0094] In the formula, d—pipe diameter, mm; Q—flow rate in the pipe; L / min; V—allowable flow velocity, m / s;

[0095] Based on the allowable flow velocity of the pressure supply pipe being V1 = 6 m / s, the return oil pipe being V2 = 3 m / s, and the refueling pipe being V3 = 5 m / s, the maximum flow rate of the pressure supply system is 100 L / min, the maximum flow rate of each branch is 50 L / min, and the maximum flow rate of the refueling circuit is designed to be 12 L / min. Therefore, the pipe diameters of the system are as follows:

[0096] Total oil inlet pipe diameter is

[0097]

[0098] Total return oil pipe diameter is

[0099]

[0100] The diameter of the branch pressure supply pipe is

[0101]

[0102] The diameter of the branch return oil pipe is

[0103]

[0104] The diameter of the refueling pipe is

[0105]

[0106] Based on pipe fitting standards and the size series of stainless steel seamless pipes for fluid transportation, the calculated oil pipe dimensions are rounded as follows:

[0107] The inner diameter of the main oil inlet pipe is taken as: d 01=20mm,

[0108] The inner diameter of the main return oil pipe is taken as: d 02 =27mm,

[0109] The inner diameter of the branch oil inlet pipe is taken as: d 11 =14mm,

[0110] The inner diameter of the branch return oil pipe is taken as: d 12 =19mm,

[0111] The inner diameter of the refueling pipeline is d3 = 8mm.

[0112] b) Calculation of catheter wall thickness

[0113] The formula for calculating the wall thickness of hydraulic conduits is as follows:

[0114]

[0115] In the formula, σ is the wall thickness of the conduit (mm); P is the working pressure (MPa); and d is the inner diameter of the conduit (mm).

[0116] [σ] -- Allowable stress, MPa, for steel pipes σ b The tensile strength is given by MPa, and s is the safety factor. When P ≥ 17.5 MPa, s = 4. The material selected is 1Cr18Ni9Ti. b =520MPa,

[0117] The following are the verification of the oil pipe wall thickness, selection of pipe specifications, and calculation of the actual flow velocity.

[0118] The inlet pipe wall thickness is checked according to 25 MPa as follows:

[0119]

[0120]

[0121] The manual recommends a pipe wall thickness of 2mm, which meets the requirements.

[0122] The return oil pipe wall thickness is checked according to 10 MPa as follows:

[0123]

[0124]

[0125] According to the manual, a wall thickness of 2mm is sufficient to meet the requirements.

[0126] The wall thickness of the refueling pipe is checked according to 6.3 MPa as follows:

[0127]

[0128] The manual recommends a pipe wall thickness of 1mm, which meets the requirements.

[0129] Referring to the specifications of stainless steel seamless pipes for fluid transportation, the main oil inlet pipe is selected as φ25×2.5, and the main oil return pipe is selected as φ32×2. Branch oil supply pipes are selected as φ18×2, and branch oil return pipes are selected as φ23×2. The refueling pipe is selected as φ10×1.

[0130] The pipe diameter calculation results are shown in the table below.

[0131]

[0132]

[0133] Table 2. Catheter Diameter

[0134] Key component selection in this embodiment:

[0135] The filter 2 is a Hydac DFPON240QC5BM1 high-pressure filter with a filtration accuracy of 5µm, a flow rate of 240L / min, an operating pressure of 31.5MPa, and a visual contamination indicator. The filter's operating temperature range is -20℃ to 60℃, and its weight is 10.4kg.

[0136] The pressure reducing valve 3 is an ATOS AGIR series pressure control valve, model AGIR--10 / 350 / V. Its pressure adjustment range is 8 bar to 350 bar, maximum flow rate is 160 L / min, maximum pressure is 350 bar, operating ambient temperature is -30℃ to 70℃, recommended working medium temperature is -20℃ to 60℃, and its weight is approximately 3.3 kg. The pressure reducing valve is adjusted by handwheel and has a plate-mounted structure.

[0137] There are four throttle valves in the system: two for pressure supply, one for oil return, and one for refueling. The system will utilize Hydac SRVR series pressure-compensating throttle valves and DV series throttle valves. The SRVR series features a bypass check valve, a compact structure, light weight, and low pressure loss. Both the SRVR and DV throttle valves are pipe-type connections with a nominal pressure of 350 bar, an ambient and medium temperature range of -20℃ to 80℃, and a maximum flow rate of 160 L / min. Based on the maximum flow rate, working pressure, operating conditions, and pressure loss parameters of each circuit, through comparison and analysis, one SRVR-08-01.X / 0 type speed control valve will be selected for the refueling circuit, two SRVR-12-01.X / 0 type speed control valves will be selected for the pressure supply circuit, and one DV-20-01.X / 0 type throttle valve will be selected for the oil return circuit.

[0138] The flow sensor used is a Clark VC series gear flow meter. The sensor consists of a pair of high-precision gears, driven by fluid flow based on the positive displacement principle. The gears operate with almost no contact within the measuring chamber. The bearing elements use ball bearings and sliding bearings. Due to the measurement principle, no flow stabilization sections are required at the inlet and outlet, allowing for a more compact device structure. All moving parts are lubricated by the measuring medium. Gear movement is detected by two sensors located inside the cover in a non-contact manner. When the metering mechanism rotates one tooth, each sensor emits a signal corresponding to a geometric tooth product Vgz. Dual-channel detection achieves higher measurement resolution and identifies flow direction. The system uses two VC1 type and one VC0.2 type gear flow meters, with flow measurement ranges of 0.4L / min~80L / min and 0.16L / min~16L / min, respectively. The flow meters are plate-mounted and arranged on the valve block. The flow meter medium temperature is -60℃~210℃, the ambient temperature is -40℃~120℃, and the maximum pressure is 480 bar.

[0139] As an optional component, four sets of Wika S-20 pressure sensors are selected. These sensors are used to detect refueling pressure, supply pressure, and return pressure, respectively. The refueling and return circuits share one pressure sensor with a range of 0–4 MPa. Each branch of the supply circuit uses a separate pressure sensor with a range of 0–40 MPa. The main performance parameters of the two pressure sensors are: 1) Nonlinearity: 0.25% FS; 2) Two-wire system, 4-20mA output; 3) Medium temperature range: -40℃ to +125℃; 4) Thread: G1 / 4; 5) Frequency response: 3dB 500Hz.

[0140] The pressure gauge, as an optional accessory, is used to measure the working pressure of the oil at the detection port. It is used in replacement of the pressure sensor. The pressure gauge is used in situations without power; the pressure sensor is used when power is available. Two sets of pressure gauges of different specifications are selected based on the pressure range of each circuit in the adapter. A pressure gauge with a range of 0–40 MPa is selected for the supply circuit, and a pressure gauge with a range of 0–4 MPa is selected for the filling and return circuits. The pressure gauges are SPG type mechanical pressure gauges from Sidford Company.

[0141] The pressure testing connector assembly comprises two parts: a pressure testing connector and a pressure gauge connector. The system is equipped with four sets of pressure testing connector assemblies, which can be connected to external pressure gauges and pressure sensors. This facilitates pressure monitoring during troubleshooting and allows for venting of system pipelines. It also achieves modularity, eliminating the need to integrate the detection sensor onto the valve block, thus simplifying portability and reducing weight. The pressure testing connectors used are from Sidford's KMK series.

[0142] The pressure testing hose is used in conjunction with a pressure gauge / pressure sensor and can replace the pressure gauge connector. Based on the pressure range of each circuit and considering versatility, two sets of Sidford SMS series pressure testing hoses are selected, with a working pressure of 400 bar, a specification of DN2, a length of 1000 mm, and a G1 / 4 interface.

[0143] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A UAV hydraulic universal adapter vehicle, characterized by: Includes load-bearing components, adapter modules, and measurement and control modules; The carrier component is equipped with an adapter module and a measurement and control module, allowing it to be moved to different locations and switch usage sites as needed. The adapter module includes three independent integrated valve blocks: a pressure supply circuit valve block, a return oil circuit valve block, and a refueling circuit valve block. The three valve blocks form a pressure supply circuit, a return oil circuit, and a refueling circuit, respectively. The input end of the adapter module is connected to the hydraulic vehicle, and the output end is connected to different models of UAVs through an adapter interface component, so that the hydraulic vehicle can be used with different models of UAVs and can input hydraulic oil into the UAV system and oil tank as needed. The pressure supply circuit includes a pressure supply circuit valve block, and integrated thereon a filter, a pressure reducing valve, a pressure supply throttle valve, a pressure supply test connector assembly, and a pressure supply sensor. The pressure supply circuit valve block has several interconnected channels serving as connecting pipes for the pressure supply circuit. The filter, pressure reducing valve, and pressure supply throttle valve are respectively connected to the channels within the pressure supply circuit valve block, filtering, reducing pressure, and regulating the flow of the high-pressure oil input from the hydraulic vehicle. The pressure supply sensor is connected to the channel output end through the pressure supply test connector assembly to acquire the oil pressure data output by the pressure supply circuit. The return oil circuit includes a return oil circuit valve block, and an integrated return oil flow meter, back pressure valve, return oil pressure testing connector assembly, and return oil pressure sensor. The return oil circuit valve block has several interconnected channels serving as connecting pipes for the return oil circuit. The return oil flow meter and back pressure valve are respectively connected to the channels within the return oil circuit valve block, and respectively perform flow detection and pressure regulation on the return oil output from the UAV. The return oil pressure sensor is connected to the channels through the return oil pressure testing connector assembly and is used to acquire oil pressure data of the return oil circuit. The refueling circuit includes a refueling circuit valve block, and integrated thereon a refueling flow meter, a refueling throttle valve, a refueling pressure testing connector assembly, and a refueling pressure sensor. The refueling circuit valve block has several interconnected channels serving as connecting pipes for the refueling circuit. The refueling flow meter and the refueling throttle valve are respectively connected to the channels within the refueling circuit valve block, and respectively detect the flow rate and regulate the pressure of the high-pressure oil input from the hydraulic vehicle. The refueling pressure sensor is connected to the channel output end through the refueling pressure testing connector assembly to acquire the oil pressure data output by the refueling circuit. The measurement and control module is used to monitor the hydraulic oil parameters within the adapter module; The working pressure of the pressure supply circuit of the adapter module is 0-22MPa, the maximum total flow rate is 100L / min, and the maximum flow rate of a single circuit is designed to be 50L / min; the maximum flow rate of the refueling circuit is not less than 10L / min, and the pressure is not less than 0.7MPa.

2. The unmanned aerial vehicle hydraulic universal adapter vehicle of claim 1, wherein: The pressure supply circuit valve block, oil return circuit valve block, and refueling circuit valve block are all made of 45 steel forging with nickel plating on the outer surface; the input and output ends of the channels in each valve block are connected to the output pipeline of the hydraulic oil truck and the input pipeline of the aircraft system through adapter interface assemblies.

3. The universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for unmanned aerial vehicles according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that: The load-bearing components include a vehicle frame assembly, an instrument bracket, handles, casters, and a hose reel; the vehicle frame assembly serves as an installation platform for the hydraulic module and the measurement and control module, with casters installed at the bottom and handles installed on the top side, allowing users to move the position of the vehicle frame assembly as needed. The instrument bracket is mounted on the vehicle body frame assembly and is used to mount the display instrument. The hose reel includes multiple L-shaped brackets arranged circumferentially. The lower ends of the multiple L-shaped brackets are all fixed to the vehicle frame assembly and are used to store the hoses connecting the input and output ends of the adapter module.

4. The universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for unmanned aerial vehicles according to any one of claims 3, characterized in that: The measurement and control module includes a pressure display instrument and a flow display instrument, which are connected to the flow meter and the pressure sensor, respectively.

5. A system pressure supply method for a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), implemented based on the universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for UAVs as described in any one of claims 1-4; characterized in that: First, the input and output ends of the adapter module are connected to the hydraulic truck and the drone via hoses and adapter interface components, respectively. Then, the pressurized oil input from the hydraulic truck passes through the pressure supply circuit of the adapter module, is filtered and purified by a filter, regulated by a pressure reducing valve, and has its oil flow rate regulated by a throttle valve. After that, it is supplied to the drone user through the adapter interface component to provide pressure for the user. Finally, the return oil from the drone user is then fed back into the return oil circuit of the adapter module through the adapter interface component, flows through the return oil flow meter, back pressure valve, and adapter interface component, and is output to the hydraulic truck's return oil circuit to flow back to the hydraulic truck's oil tank.

6. A system refueling method for a universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), implemented based on the universal hydraulic adapter vehicle for UAVs as described in any one of claims 1-4; characterized in that: First, the input and output ends of the adapter module are connected to the hydraulic truck and the drone respectively through hoses and adapter interface components. Then, the pressurized oil input from the hydraulic truck flows through the refueling circuit of the adapter module, and then flows through the throttle valve, flow meter, and adapter interface components in sequence to the drone refueling pipeline to supply the drone user.

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