An unmanned aerial vehicle and fuel system thereof

Abstract

The application provides a kind of unmanned aerial vehicle and its fuel system, the unmanned aerial vehicle fuel system includes fuel tank and fuel tank, wherein fuel tank 100 includes fuel tank oil port 101, fuel tank oil filler cap 102, fuel tank breather plug 103, fuel tank handle 104, fuel tank communication interface 105, fuel tank oil supply interface 106, fuel tank breather pipe 107, fuel tank mounting hole 108, fuel tank breather hole 109;Fuel tank 200 is used to place fuel tank, fuel tank 200 includes ultrasonic oil level measuring sensor 203, fuel tank 100 fixed quick-release bolt 204 and engine fuel line 205.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicles, in particular to an unmanned aerial vehicle and a fuel system thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] Currently, the fuel tank of a small or medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicle is usually designed in a fuselage conforming manner. Such a fuel tank is lighter than an equal-volume fuel tank, but the volume of the fuel tank cannot be changed and the replacement is complicated. Since the small or medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicle needs to meet the different flight time requirements of users, the fuel tank of such a design must have a large volume to carry fuel. Therefore, for a short flight, the volume of the large-volume fuel tank in the fuselage does not change, and occupies a part of the reserved mission equipment space, which brings great limitations to the subsequent users for adding mission equipment.

[0003] In addition, such a design leads to a more complicated and time-consuming method for refueling and discharging fuel.

[0004] The unmanned aerial vehicle is usually refueled in two ways, namely manual refueling and oil truck refueling. The oil truck refueling method has high cost and poor adaptability to the field environment. The small or medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicle generally uses the manual refueling method. The manual refueling process is as follows: first, oil is taken from an oil drum and refueled into a small oil tank, and then the small oil tank is transported to the vicinity of the small or medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicle, and the small oil tank is used to manually refuel the small or medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicle by gravity. Such a refueling method is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and complicated. After the unmanned aerial vehicle completes a task, the excess fuel in the unmanned aerial vehicle needs to be discharged. Most of the oil discharge ports of the small or medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicle use gravity discharge, and the oil discharge port is located at a low position and the oil discharge time is long, which is not convenient for the maintenance of the maintenance personnel. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides an unmanned aerial vehicle and a fuel system thereof, which can improve the utilization of the space in the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides an unmanned aerial vehicle fuel system, which comprises a fuel tank and a fuel cabin. The fuel tank 100 comprises a fuel tank oil port 101, a fuel tank refueling port cover 102, a fuel tank breather plug 103, a fuel tank handle 104, a fuel tank communication interface 105, a fuel tank fuel supply interface 106, a fuel tank breather pipe 107, a fuel tank mounting hole 108, and a fuel tank breather hole 109. The fuel cabin 200 is used for placing the fuel tank and comprises an ultrasonic oil level measuring sensor 203, fuel tank fixing quick-release bolts 204, and an engine fuel pipeline 205.

[0007] Fuel tank oil port 101, provided at the top of the fuel tank 100, is the fuel filling and discharge port when the fuel tank is in an upright state; the fuel tank filler cap 102 is installed on the fuel tank oil port 101, which is a removable sealing cap for the oil port; the fuel tank vent plug 103 is installed in the fuel tank vent hole 109, which is a sealing cap for the fuel tank vent hole; the fuel tank handle 104 is provided at the top of the fuel tank 100 in an upright state, which is used for the ground personnel to hold the fuel tank part; the fuel tank communication interface 105 is the interface for connecting two fuel tank modules, which is connected by the fuel supply interface of one fuel tank module and the communication interface of another fuel tank module; one end of the fuel tank fuel supply interface 106 is connected with the unmanned aerial vehicle engine fuel pipeline, which is responsible for delivering fuel to the engine; the other end of the fuel tank fuel supply interface 106 is spherical inside the fuel tank, which is at the lowest end when the attitude of the unmanned aerial vehicle changes; the fuel tank vent pipe 107 is a Y-shaped tee pipe, one end of which is connected to the fuel tank vent hole, one end of which is located at the top of the expansion space in the upright state, and the other end is located at the top of the expansion space in the horizontal state, which is used to balance the air pressure in the fuel tank; the fuel tank mounting hole 108 is provided on the left and right sides of the fuel tank 100, below the fuel tank handle 104, which is used for mounting the fuel tank to the unmanned aerial vehicle fixed interface; the fuel tank vent hole 109 is provided beside the fuel tank oil port 101 on the boss, and the fuel tank vent hole 109 is combined with the fuel tank vent pipe 107 to balance the air pressure in the fuel tank.

[0008] Specifically, the fuel tank liquid accumulation angle a is the included angle formed by the bottom surface 110 of the fuel tank in the horizontal state and the first side surface 111 of the fuel tank in the upright state, and the fuel tank liquid accumulation angle a is less than 180°.

[0009] Specifically, the fuel tank expansion angle β is the included angle formed by the bottom surface 112 of the fuel tank in the upright state and the second side surface 113 of the fuel tank in the upright state, and the fuel tank expansion angle β is greater than 90°.

[0010] Specifically, the fuel tank is in an upright state during storage and transportation, at which time the fuel tank oil port 101 and the fuel tank vent hole 109 are upward, the fuel tank communication interface 105 and the fuel tank fuel supply interface 106 are at the top expansion space of the fuel tank, which is higher than the fuel tank oil port; the fuel tank oil port 101, the vent hole 109, the communication interface 105 and the fuel supply interface 106 are all above the storage oil level, the fuel tank vent pipe 107 and the communication fuel tank vent hole 109 are at the top expansion space at this time, and when the fuel is filled and discharged, the fuel tank vent plug 103 is opened to ensure that the internal and external air pressures of the fuel tank are consistent.

[0011] Specifically, the fuel tank is installed to the unmanned aerial vehicle in a horizontal state, at this time, the fuel tank communication interface 105 and the fuel tank fuel supply interface 106 are at the lowest end, and the fuel tank vent hole 109 is located at the top expansion space; the vent hole is located above the oil level in the horizontal state; the fuel tank vent pipe 107 is used to connect the top expansion space of the fuel tank in the horizontal state and the fuel tank vent hole 109, when the fuel tank is installed to the unmanned aerial vehicle, the fuel tank vent hole plug 103 is opened to ensure that the inside and outside of the fuel tank are consistent in air pressure, and oil supply is ensured.

[0012] Specifically, the fuel tank includes N sub-fuel tanks, and the sub-fuel tanks are separated according to common flight tasks and planned fuel weight.

[0013] Specifically, the ultrasonic oil level measuring sensor 203 is installed below one of the sub-fuel tanks, and the fuel tank 100 is measured by ultrasonic waves.

[0014] Specifically, the fuel tank fixing quick-release bolt 204 is used to connect the fuel tank mounting hole 108 of the fuel tank 100.

[0015] Specifically, the unmanned aerial vehicle engine fuel pipeline 205 is arranged on one side of the fuel tank, and is used to connect the fuel tank fuel supply interface 106 of the fuel tank 100.

[0016] In the second aspect, the unmanned aerial vehicle adopts the unmanned aerial vehicle fuel system as described above.

[0017] In summary, the present application provides a kind of unmanned aerial vehicle fuel system, fuel tank space is designed by modularization, improve the use of space in machine, it is convenient for user modification;Fuel tank is designed by modularization, simplify the work flow of ground crew, improve work efficiency, reduce labor intensity;Unmanned aerial vehicle adopts external oil quantity sensor, simplifies fuel tank design;Multiple fuel tanks are designed in series, reduce the number of oil quantity sensors, and then the cost can be reduced.The present application is adapted to the two states of flight fuel supply and ground storage by horizontal and vertical two states.Fuel tank elements are complete with oil port, fuel supply port, communication port, vent hole and expansion space, and can be adapted to the state of flight fuel supply and ground storage and transportation by horizontal and vertical.In the horizontal and vertical state of fuel tank, the oil tank cover is arranged above the oil level, which reduces the risk of oil leakage during flight and ground storage and transportation;Vent pipe adopts "Y" type tee, which is suitable for different state expansion space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic view of the fuel tank in a horizontal state;

[0019] Figure 2 It is a vertical state and sectional view (right) of the fuel tank;

[0020] Figure 3For fuel tank horizontal state;

[0021] Figure 4 For fuel tank installation to the fuselage schematic diagram;

[0022] Figure 5 For two fuel tank installation to the fuselage schematic diagram;

[0023] Figure 6 For four fuel tank installation to the fuselage schematic diagram;

[0024] Wherein: 100 - fuel tank, 101 - fuel tank oil port, 102 - fuel tank oil filler cap, 103 - fuel tank vent plug, 104 - fuel tank handle, 105 - fuel tank communication interface, 106 - fuel tank fuel supply interface, 107 - fuel tank vent pipe, 108 - fuel tank mounting hole, 109 - fuel tank vent hole, 110 - fuel tank horizontal state bottom, 111 - fuel tank vertical state first side, 112 - fuel tank vertical state bottom, 113 - fuel tank vertical state second side, 200 - fuel tank, 201 - right fuel tank, 202 - left fuel tank, 203 - ultrasonic fuel level measurement sensor, 204 - fuel tank fastening bolt, 205 - engine fuel line, 206 - fuel tank communication line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present application provides a kind of small unmanned aerial vehicle fuel system modular design method from small unmanned aerial vehicle positioning and actual use operation angle, by fuel tank, fuel tank modular design, realize small unmanned aerial vehicle fuel tank quick assembly and disassembly function, can according to flight task condition, disassembly fuel tank and reasonably utilize in-machine space.Fuel can be installed and transported with fuel tank disassembly, simplify the work flow of filling and discharging fuel, improve work efficiency, improve unmanned aerial vehicle re-dispatch ability and adaptability under field environment.

[0026] As Figures 1-4 As shown in the application, a kind of unmanned aerial vehicle fuel system is provided, including fuel tank 100 and fuel tank 200, wherein, fuel tank includes fuel tank oil port 101, fuel tank oil filler cap 102, fuel tank vent plug 103, fuel tank handle 104, fuel tank communication interface 105, fuel tank fuel supply interface 106, fuel tank vent pipe 107, fuel tank mounting hole 108, fuel tank vent hole 109;Fuel tank 200 is used to place fuel tank 100, fuel tank 200 includes ultrasonic fuel level measurement sensor 203, fuel tank fastening bolt 204 and engine fuel line 205.

[0027] The fuel tank oil port 101 is arranged at the top of the fuel tank 100 and is a fuel filling and discharging port when the fuel tank is in an upright state. The fuel tank oil filler cap 102 is installed on the fuel tank oil port 101 and is a removable sealing cap of the oil port. The fuel tank breather plug 103 is installed on the fuel tank breather hole 109 and is a sealing cap of the fuel tank breather hole. The fuel tank handle 104 is arranged at the top of the fuel tank 100 in an upright state and is used for a ground personnel to hold the fuel tank. The fuel tank communication interface 105 is an interface for connecting two fuel tank modules, and the fuel supply interface of one fuel tank module is connected to the communication interface of another fuel tank module. One end of the fuel tank fuel supply interface 106 is connected to the fuel pipe of the engine of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and the other end is spherical inside the fuel tank and sinks to the lowest end when the attitude of the unmanned aerial vehicle changes, thereby ensuring that the fuel supply interface can suck fuel. The fuel tank breather pipe 107 is a Y-shaped tee pipe (as shown in Figure 2 The fuel tank mounting hole 108 is arranged on the left and right sides of the fuel tank 100 below the fuel tank handle 104 and is used for mounting the fuel tank to the fixed interface of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The fuel tank breather hole 109 is arranged on the boss beside the fuel tank oil port 101, and the fuel tank breather hole 109 is combined with the fuel tank breather pipe 107 to balance the air pressure in the fuel tank.

[0028] In actual application, the fuel tank fuel supply interface 106 has two functions. One is to be connected to the fuel pipe of the engine of the unmanned aerial vehicle and to supply fuel to the engine. The other end of the fuel tank fuel supply interface is spherical inside the fuel tank and is heavy, so it sinks to the lowest end when the attitude of the unmanned aerial vehicle changes, thereby ensuring that the fuel supply interface can suck fuel. The second is that when multiple fuel tank modules are used in combination, fuel can be shared through series connection.

[0029] Specifically, the fuel tank liquid accumulation angle a is the included angle between the bottom surface 110 of the fuel tank in a horizontal state and the first side surface 111 of the fuel tank in an upright state, and the fuel tank liquid accumulation angle a is less than 180° (as shown in Figure 3

[0030] It should be noted that the fuel is gathered near the fuel tank fuel supply interface 106 in the horizontal state of the fuel tank, and the specific definition needs to be based on the size of the fuel tank and the flight attitude of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0031] Specifically, the fuel tank expansion angle β is the included angle between the bottom surface 112 of the fuel tank in an upright state and the second side surface 113 of the fuel tank in an upright state, and the fuel tank expansion angle β is greater than 90° (as shown in Figure 3

[0032] ​​It should be noted that the vent hole is located above the fuel level in the transverse state of the fuel tank, and the angle is defined according to the size of the fuel tank and the structure of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0033] The fuel tank has two states: a vertical state ( Figure 2 ) and a transverse state ( Figure 1 ).

[0034] Specifically, the fuel tank is in a vertical state during storage and transportation, at which time the fuel tank oil port 101 and the fuel tank vent hole 109 are upward, the fuel tank communication interface 105 and the fuel tank fuel supply interface 106 are at the top of the fuel tank expansion space, which is higher than the fuel tank oil port; the fuel tank oil port 101, the vent hole 109, the communication interface 105 and the fuel supply interface 106 are all above the storage oil level, the fuel tank vent pipe 107 and the communication fuel tank vent hole 109 are at the top of the expansion space, and when the fuel is filled and discharged, the fuel tank vent hole plug 103 is opened to ensure that the inside and outside of the fuel tank are consistent with the air pressure.

[0035] It should be noted that since the fuel tank oil port 101, the vent hole 109, the communication interface 105 and the fuel supply interface 106 are all above the storage oil level, the risk of fuel leakage during transportation and storage is reduced. The fuel tank is provided with a liquid accumulation angle 110 and an expansion angle 111, at which time the bottom of the fuel tank is small and the top is large, and from the front it looks like an inverted trapezoid.

[0036] Specifically, the fuel tank is installed to the unmanned aerial vehicle in a transverse state, at which time the fuel tank communication interface 105 and the fuel tank fuel supply interface 106 are at the lowest end, and the fuel tank vent hole 109 is located at the top of the expansion space; the vent hole is located above the fuel level in the transverse state; the fuel tank vent pipe 107 is used to communicate the top of the expansion space of the fuel tank in the transverse state and the fuel tank vent hole 109, and when the fuel tank is installed to the unmanned aerial vehicle, the fuel tank vent hole plug 103 is opened to ensure that the inside and outside of the fuel tank are consistent with the air pressure, and to ensure oil delivery and supply.

[0037] It should be noted that the fuel tank liquid accumulation angle 110 allows the fuel in the fuel tank to accumulate at the fuel tank fuel supply interface, and the fuel tank expansion angle 111 allows the vent hole to be located above the fuel level in the transverse state.

[0038] It should be noted that the design of the fuel tank is recommended to carry no more than the weight of an adult lifting the weight range.

[0039] Specifically, the fuel tank includes N sub-fuel tanks, and the separation of the N sub-fuel tanks is set according to common flight tasks and planned fuel weight.

[0040] In practical application, the fuel weight is calculated according to the flight fuel consumption rate and flight time, different number of fuel tanks are loaded with fuel, and the sub-fuel tanks are separated according to the number of fuel tanks.

[0041] Specifically, the ultrasonic oil level measuring sensor 203 is installed below one of the sub-fuel tanks, and the fuel tank 100 is measured by ultrasonic waves.

[0042] Specifically, the fuel tank quick-release bolt 204 is used to connect the fuel tank mounting hole 108 of the fuel tank 100.

[0043] Specifically, the unmanned aerial vehicle engine fuel pipeline 205 is arranged on one side of the fuel tank, and is used to connect the fuel tank fuel supply interface 106 of the fuel tank 100.

[0044] Example two

[0045] As shown in Figure 5 , 6 , the fuel tank is divided into a right fuel tank 201 and a left fuel tank 202, and is used to install a fuel tank module; the middle empty space can be used for installing a task device or installing more fuel tank modules for long-time flight.

[0046] The left fuel tank 202 is taken as the main part, the engine fuel pipeline 205 is arranged on the left side of the fuselage, and is connected with the fuel supply interface 106 of the left fuel tank module. The ultrasonic oil level measuring sensor 203 is installed below the left fuel tank 202, and the fuel tank module is measured by the ultrasonic oil level measuring sensor 203 when the fuel tank module is installed into the left fuel tank 202. The right fuel tank module is connected with the left fuel tank module through the fuel tank communication pipeline 206 after being installed into the right fuel tank.

[0047] The fuel tank module is installed into the unmanned aerial vehicle fuel tank 200 through the quick-release bolts 204 on both sides.

[0048] Example three

[0049] Modular fuel tank use steps:

[0050] Step one: the unmanned aerial vehicle is transported to the take-off site, and the maintenance personnel extract the fuel tank filled with fuel from the vehicle;

[0051] Step two: the maintenance personnel horizontally place the fuel tank into the fuel tank, and fix it by using the quick-release bolt;

[0052] Step three: open the fuel tank vent plug;

[0053] Step four: connect multiple fuel tanks by using the fuel tank communication pipeline;

[0054] Step five: connect the engine fuel pipeline with the fuel supply interface of the left fuel tank module;

[0055] Step six: when the flight task is completed, the maintenance personnel disconnect the engine fuel pipeline from the fuel supply interface of the left fuel tank module;

[0056] Step seven: disconnect the fuel tank connecting pipeline;

[0057] Step eight: plug the fuel tank vent plug;

[0058] Step nine: open the quick release bolt, remove the fuel tank. Subsequent to the actual situation to replace the fuel tank or end flight.

[0059] In addition, the unmanned aerial vehicle of the present application, the unmanned aerial vehicle fuel system is realized as above.

[0060] In summary, the present application has the following technical effects:

[0061] Compared with large unmanned aerial vehicles, the internal space of small and medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicles is more compact, and the fuel system adopts this kind of modular design, which can improve the internal space utilization rate of small and medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicles, increase its versatility and multi-task adaptability, reduce the later modification design, and realize one machine with multiple functions;

[0062] The positioning of small and medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicles is convenient and low-cost. The modular design of the fuel system can reduce the work intensity and time of ground maintenance personnel, optimize the work process, improve the work efficiency, and thus increase the unmanned aerial vehicle efficiency, improve the convenience, maintainability and field adaptability of the unmanned aerial vehicle;

[0063] Low cost is reflected in that the modular design of the fuel tank can reduce the ground support equipment and does not need special refueling device; the modular fuel tank can reduce the manufacturing cost through batch production; in addition, the fuel tank has interchangeability and can be reused, reducing the use and cleaning cost of the fuel tank.

Claims

1. A fuel system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), characterized in that, The UAV fuel system includes a fuel tank and a fuel compartment. The fuel tank (100) includes a fuel tank inlet (101), a fuel tank filler cap (102), a fuel tank vent plug (103), a fuel tank handle (104), a fuel tank connection interface (105), a fuel tank fuel supply interface (106), a fuel tank vent pipe (107), a fuel tank mounting hole (108), and a fuel tank vent (109). The fuel compartment (200) is used to house the fuel tank (100). The fuel compartment (200) includes an ultrasonic fuel level sensor (203), a fuel tank quick-release bolt (204), and an engine fuel line (205). The fuel tank filler neck (101) is located on the top of the fuel tank (100) and serves as the fuel filling and venting port when the fuel tank is in an upright position. The fuel tank filler neck cap (102) is installed on the fuel tank filler neck (101) and is a removable sealing cap. The fuel tank vent plug (103) is installed on the fuel tank vent (109) and serves as a sealing cap for the fuel tank vent. The fuel tank handle (104) is located at the top center of the upright fuel tank (100) and is used by ground personnel to hold the fuel tank components. The fuel tank connection interface (105) is the interface for connecting two fuel tank modules, consisting of the fuel supply interface of one fuel tank module connected to the connection interface of the other fuel tank module. One end of the fuel tank supply interface (106) is connected to the fuel pipe of the UAV engine. The fuel tank is connected to the engine and is responsible for supplying fuel. The other end of the fuel tank supply interface (106) is spherical inside the fuel tank and sinks to the lowest end when the UAV changes attitude. The fuel tank vent pipe (107) is a Y-shaped three-way pipe. One end is connected to the fuel tank vent hole, one end is located in the top expansion space in the vertical state, and the other end is located in the top expansion space in the horizontal state. It is used to balance the air pressure in the fuel tank. The fuel tank mounting hole (108) is located on the left and right sides of the fuel tank (100) and below the fuel tank handle (104). It is used to install the fuel tank to the UAV fixing interface. The fuel tank vent hole (109) is located on the protrusion next to the fuel tank filler neck (101). The fuel tank vent hole (109) is combined with the fuel tank vent pipe (107) to balance the air pressure in the fuel tank.

2. The UAV fuel system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fuel tank liquid accumulation angle α is the angle formed by the bottom surface (110) of the fuel tank in the horizontal position and the first side surface (111) of the fuel tank in the vertical position, and the fuel tank liquid accumulation angle α is less than 180°.

3. The UAV fuel system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fuel tank expansion angle β is the angle formed by the bottom surface (112) of the fuel tank in the vertical state and the second side surface (113) of the fuel tank in the vertical state, and the fuel tank expansion angle β is greater than 90°.

4. The UAV fuel system according to claim 1, characterized in that, During storage and transportation, the fuel tank is in an upright position with the fuel tank inlet (101) and fuel tank vent (109) facing upwards. The fuel tank connection interface (105) and fuel tank supply interface (106) are located in the expansion space at the top of the fuel tank, which is higher than the fuel tank inlet. The fuel tank inlet (101), vent (109), connection interface (105) and supply interface (106) are all above the surface of the stored fuel. The vent pipe (107) inside the fuel tank and the connection to the fuel tank vent (109) are in the expansion space at the top. When adding or discharging fuel, the fuel tank vent plug (103) is opened to ensure that the internal air pressure of the fuel tank is consistent with the external air pressure.

5. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fuel system according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the fuel tank is installed on the drone in a horizontal position, the fuel tank connection interface (105) and the fuel tank supply interface (106) are at the lowest point, and the fuel tank vent (109) is located at the top expansion space. The vent is located above the fuel level in the horizontal position. The fuel tank vent pipe (107) is used to connect the top expansion space of the fuel tank in the horizontal position and the fuel tank vent (109). When the fuel tank is installed on the drone, the fuel tank vent plug (103) is opened to ensure that the internal air pressure of the fuel tank is consistent with the external air pressure, thus ensuring the fuel supply.

6. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fuel system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fuel tank consists of N sub-fuel tanks, and the separation of the N sub-fuel tanks is set according to the common flight missions and planned fuel weight.

7. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fuel system according to claim 1, characterized in that, An ultrasonic fuel level sensor (203) is installed below one of the sub-fuel tanks to measure the fuel level in the fuel tank (100) using ultrasonic waves.

8. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fuel system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The quick-release bolt (204) for securing the fuel tank is used to connect the fuel tank (100) to the fuel tank mounting hole (108).

9. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fuel system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The unmanned aerial vehicle engine fuel line (205) is located on one side of the fuel tank (200) and is used to connect to the fuel tank supply interface (106) of the fuel tank (100).

10. A drone, characterized in that, The drone is implemented using the drone fuel system as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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