Water space unmanned aerial vehicle based on piezoelectric power generation

Abstract

The application provides a water-space unmanned aerial vehicle based on piezoelectric power generation, and relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicles.The unmanned aerial vehicle comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle body, a control computer, a driving device, a charging battery and a plurality of piezoelectric ceramic sheets.The charging battery is connected to the unmanned aerial vehicle body, the piezoelectric ceramic sheets are arranged on the surface of the unmanned aerial vehicle body, each piezoelectric ceramic sheet is electrically connected to the charging battery, the charging battery supplies power to the driving device, and the control computer can control the driving device to drive the unmanned aerial vehicle body to fly and land on the sea surface, and make the piezoelectric ceramic sheets generate power by using wave energy.The scheme provided by the application can increase the voyage and flight time of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicle, in particular to a water-air unmanned aerial vehicle based on piezoelectric power generation. BACKGROUND

[0002] Unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly known as "drone", is an English abbreviation for "UAV", which is a kind of unmanned aircraft controlled by wireless remote control equipment and self-provided program control device, or operated by on-board computer completely or intermittently. The existing unmanned aerial vehicle is powered by rechargeable battery or fuel. Due to the limited battery capacity and limited fuel, the flight time and flight range are relatively short. A small part of unmanned aerial vehicles use solar power generation. However, the solar power generation unmanned aerial vehicle can only generate power on sunny days, and the power generation efficiency is very low on cloudy days and at night. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new scheme to solve the above problems. SUMMARY

[0003] The present application aims to provide a water-air unmanned aerial vehicle based on piezoelectric power generation to solve the problems existing in the prior art and increase the flight range and flight time of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application provides the following scheme:

[0005] The present application provides a water-air unmanned aerial vehicle based on piezoelectric power generation, which comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle body, a control computer, a driving device, a rechargeable battery and a plurality of piezoelectric ceramic sheets. The rechargeable battery is connected to the unmanned aerial vehicle body. The piezoelectric ceramic sheets are arranged on the surface of the unmanned aerial vehicle body. Each piezoelectric ceramic sheet is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery supplies power to the driving device. The control computer can control the driving device to drive the unmanned aerial vehicle body to fly and land on the sea surface, and make the piezoelectric ceramic sheets generate power by using wave energy.

[0006] Preferably, the unmanned aerial vehicle body comprises a wing and a fuselage, and the piezoelectric ceramic sheets are arranged only on the surface of the wing.

[0007] Preferably, the piezoelectric ceramic sheets are arranged in an array on the surface of the wing.

[0008] Preferably, the piezoelectric ceramic sheets adopt d31 mode to bear tensile and compressive stress.

[0009] Preferably, the control computer and the rechargeable battery are arranged in the fuselage.

[0010] Preferably, the control computer can detect the charge level of the rechargeable battery; when the charge level of the rechargeable battery is higher than a minimum threshold and there is a flight mission, the control computer controls the drive device to drive the UAV body to the mission location; when the charge level of the rechargeable battery is lower than the minimum threshold or there is no flight mission, the control computer controls the drive device to drive the UAV body to a predetermined power generation location, and after reaching the power generation location, lands on the water surface, shuts down the drive device and the components on the UAV body that require power, and enters wave power generation mode.

[0011] Preferably, during the power generation process, the control computer can also adjust the charging voltage and charging current of the charging battery in real time according to wave parameters, UAV attitude, and charging battery status to obtain the maximum power generation.

[0012] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art:

[0013] 1. Long flight time and range. When the drone is on the water, it can continuously convert the mechanical vibrations caused by the waves into electrical energy through piezoelectric ceramic plates and store it in the rechargeable battery. Since waves are widespread on the sea surface, a continuous energy input can be guaranteed, increasing the drone's flight range and flight time.

[0014] 2. Excellent environmental adaptability. Since wave energy is almost always present, piezoelectric ceramic power generation is unaffected by day or night and can operate continuously for 24 hours. In dangerous sea conditions, the stored electrical energy can be used to relocate to a safe area.

[0015] 3. Low cost and unaffected aerodynamic characteristics. The piezoelectric ceramic sheet of the present invention is a tiny rectangular sheet that is tightly laid on the wing surface. It eliminates the need to produce curved piezoelectric ceramic sheets according to the airfoil of the UAV. While ensuring low cost, it also ensures the smoothness of the wing surface and ensures that the airfoil and wing aerodynamic characteristics are not affected. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the piezoelectric-powered underwater drone provided by the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Mission flow diagram of a piezoelectric-powered underwater drone;

[0019] In the diagram: 1-Piezoelectric ceramic sheet; 21-Fuse; 22-Wing; 2-UAV body. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] The purpose of this invention is to provide a piezoelectric-powered underwater drone to solve the problems existing in the prior art and increase the range and flight time of the drone.

[0022] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0023] This invention provides a piezoelectric-powered underwater drone, hereinafter referred to as a drone, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the drone includes a drone body 2, a control computer, a drive unit, a rechargeable battery, and multiple piezoelectric ceramic sheets 1. The rechargeable battery is connected to the drone body 2, and the piezoelectric ceramic sheets 1 are covered on the surface of the drone body 2. Each piezoelectric ceramic sheet 1 is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery supplies power to the drive unit. The control computer can control the drive unit to drive the drone body 2 to fly and to land the drone body 2 on the sea surface, and enable the piezoelectric ceramic sheets 1 to generate electricity using wave energy.

[0024] There are several ways to electrically connect multiple piezoelectric ceramic sheets 1 to a rechargeable battery:

[0025] For example, multiple piezoelectric ceramic sheets 1 can be connected in parallel to form a whole and then connected in series with a rechargeable battery.

[0026] For example, each piezoelectric ceramic sheet 1 can be connected in series with a rechargeable battery through positive and negative electrodes respectively.

[0027] For example, multiple piezoelectric ceramic sheets 1 can be connected in series to form a whole and then connected in series with a rechargeable battery.

[0028] For example, multiple piezoelectric ceramic sheets can be connected in series and parallel to form a whole and then connected in series with a rechargeable battery.

[0029] The control computer is a single-chip microcomputer circuit board.

[0030] The drive unit consists of a propeller and an electric motor that drives the propeller to rotate, with the electric motor connected to a rechargeable battery.

[0031] The drone body 2 includes wings 22 and fuselage 21, with the control computer and rechargeable battery both located inside the fuselage 21.

[0032] The control computer can control the drive device to drive the UAV body 2 to fly on the sea surface and in the air. When flying on the sea surface, the piezoelectric ceramic sheet 1 is also in the state of generating electricity.

[0033] The piezoelectric-powered underwater drone provided by this invention continuously converts the mechanical vibrations caused by waves into electrical energy through a piezoelectric ceramic sheet 1, which is then stored in a rechargeable battery. Since waves are widespread on the sea surface, a continuous energy input can be ensured, increasing the drone's range and flight time. Furthermore, since wave energy is almost always present, the power generation of the piezoelectric ceramic sheet 1 is not affected by day or night and can work continuously for 24 hours. In addition, the piezoelectric ceramic sheet 1 in the drone provided by this invention is a tiny rectangular thin sheet that is tightly laid on the surface of the wing 22. There is no need to customize the production of curved piezoelectric ceramic sheets 1 according to the drone's wing airfoil. While ensuring low cost, it also ensures that the surface of the wing 22 is curved as a whole, ensuring that the wing airfoil and the aerodynamic characteristics of the wing 22 are not affected.

[0034] In some embodiments, the piezoelectric ceramic sheet 1 is only applied to the surface of the wing 22. The wing 22 adopts a high-wing configuration, which can reduce the mass of the UAV. The piezoelectric ceramic sheet 1 array is disposed on the surface of the wing 22. In other embodiments, the piezoelectric ceramic sheet 1 can also be disposed on the fuselage 21.

[0035] The piezoelectric ceramic sheet 1 adopts an array of rectangular thin sheets and uses the d31 mode to withstand tensile and compressive stress. On the one hand, it has a lower resonant frequency, ensuring higher capture efficiency in low-frequency wave environments; on the other hand, it can better adapt to the aerodynamic shape requirements of the wing 22, ensuring that the aerodynamic characteristics of the wing 22 are not affected.

[0036] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the control computer can detect the rechargeable battery power. When the rechargeable battery power is above the minimum threshold and there is a flight mission, the control computer controls the drive device to drive the UAV body 2 to the mission location. When the rechargeable battery power is below the minimum threshold or there is no flight mission, the control computer controls the drive device to drive the UAV body 2 to the predetermined power generation location. After reaching the power generation location, it lands on the water surface, shuts down the drive device and the components on the UAV body that require electricity, such as the navigation system and flight control system, and enters the wave power generation mode. In the wave power generation mode, when the wave passes over the piezoelectric ceramic sheet 1 array on the upper and lower surfaces, due to the phase difference of the wave excitation force, it can periodically apply pressure to the piezoelectric ceramic sheet 1 to generate strain, and then generate free charges in the internal pressing of the ceramic. The charges move in a directional manner to form a current and output electrical energy through the external circuit.

[0037] In the power generation process, the control computer can also adjust the charging voltage and charging current of the charging battery in real time according to the wave parameters, the unmanned aerial vehicle attitude and the charging battery state, so as to obtain the maximum power generation power.

[0038] The principles and implementation manners of the present application are described by applying specific examples in the present application, and the above example is only used to help understand the method of the present application and its core idea; meanwhile, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present application, the specific implementation manners and application ranges will be changed. In view of the above, the content of the specification should not be understood as a limitation of the present application.

Claims

1. A piezoelectric-powered underwater drone, characterized in that: The device includes a drone body, a control computer, a drive unit, a rechargeable battery, and multiple piezoelectric ceramic sheets. The rechargeable battery is connected to the drone body, and the piezoelectric ceramic sheets are coated on the surface of the drone body. Each piezoelectric ceramic sheet is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery supplies power to the drive unit. The control computer can control the drive unit to propel the drone body into flight and to land the drone body on the sea surface, allowing the piezoelectric ceramic sheets to generate electricity using wave energy. The drone body includes wings and a fuselage, and the piezoelectric ceramic sheets are only coated on the surface of the wings. An array of piezoelectric ceramic sheets is arranged on the surface of the wings. The piezoelectric ceramic sheets adopt the d31 mode to withstand tensile and compressive stress.

2. The piezoelectric-powered underwater drone according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the control computer and the rechargeable battery are located inside the body.

3. The piezoelectric-powered underwater drone according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control computer can detect the charge level of the rechargeable battery; when the charge level of the rechargeable battery is higher than a minimum threshold and there is a flight mission, the control computer controls the drive device to drive the UAV body to the mission location; when the charge level of the rechargeable battery is lower than the minimum threshold or there is no flight mission, the control computer controls the drive device to drive the UAV body to the predetermined power generation location, and after reaching the power generation location, lands on the water surface, shuts down the drive device and the components on the UAV body that require power, and enters wave power generation mode.

4. The piezoelectric-powered underwater drone according to claim 3, characterized in that: During the power generation process, the control computer can also adjust the charging voltage and charging current of the charging battery in real time according to wave parameters, UAV attitude, and charging battery status in order to obtain the maximum power generation.

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