Range extending power system of unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses a range extending power system of an unmanned aerial vehicle, and relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicle power. The system comprises a fuel tank, an engine, a generator, a thermoelectric power generation device, a power battery, a battery bin, a battery temperature control device, an energy management module and the like. In the range extending power system, an engine drives a generator to generate electricity, and high-temperature tail gas of the engine generates electricity through a thermoelectric power generation device to jointly charge a power battery. Meanwhile, engine tail gas can provide heat for the battery bin under the low-temperature condition so as to prevent the temperature of the battery from being too low. The energy management module comprises a battery temperature control module and an electric quantity management module, the battery temperature control module controls a battery temperature control device to enable the battery to be in the optimal working temperature range, and the electric quantity management module controls starting and stopping of an engine to enable the electric quantity of the battery to be in the optimal state. The power battery is charged through the range extending system, the energy utilization rate is improved through waste heat utilization such as thermoelectric power generation, efficient energy utilization of the power system is achieved, and the long-endurance and high-load requirements of the unmanned aerial vehicle are met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of UAV power, and particularly to an extended-range power system for UAVs. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous maturity of UAV technology and the gradual improvement of low-altitude economy policies, UAVs are increasingly widely used in various fields. From agricultural plant protection, logistics distribution, geographical mapping to security monitoring, emergency rescue and even military reconnaissance, UAVs, especially small and medium-sized UAVs, have become an important part of the future development of the low-altitude economy. The wide application of UAVs requires UAVs to improve their continuous operation ability, load capacity, environmental adaptability, etc., which puts higher requirements on their power systems.

[0003] Currently, the power systems of small and medium-sized UAVs are mainly divided into three categories: pure electric power systems, fuel power systems, and hybrid fuel-electric power systems. Pure electric UAVs are suitable for scenarios of rapid response and efficient transportation, but their performance is limited by battery technology, and there are problems such as short endurance time, small load capacity, and performance attenuation in low-temperature environments. Although fuel power systems and hybrid fuel-electric power systems can overcome the above limitations, most of the energy of the fuel carried is discharged in the form of heat with the exhaust gas, and the energy utilization rate of the fuel is relatively low.

[0004] In response to the above challenges, the present invention designs an extended-range power system for UAVs. The present invention charges the power battery through the extended-range power system, maintaining the advantages of the pure electric UAV power system while greatly improving the energy density of the power system, thereby realizing long endurance and high load capacity of the UAV. At the same time, through power management and battery temperature control, the battery power and battery temperature are respectively maintained in the best state to achieve stable and efficient output of battery energy; through thermoelectric power generation and waste heat utilization, the waste heat of the high-temperature fuel exhaust gas is fully utilized for power generation and battery heat preservation to achieve multi-level and efficient utilization of energy.

[0005] The extended-range power system for UAVs proposed by the present invention integrates multiple functions such as power management, battery temperature control, thermoelectric power generation, and waste heat utilization, is applicable to a variety of fuels, and realizes stable and continuous power output of the UAV power system while improving the fuel energy utilization efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The extended-range power system for UAVs proposed by the present invention includes structures such as a fuel tank, an engine, a generator, a thermoelectric power generation device, a power battery, a battery compartment, a battery temperature control device, and an energy management module.

[0007] The fuel tank is used to store fuel, is connected to the engine, and supplies fuel to the engine.

[0008] The fuel can be natural gas, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, diesel, aviation kerosene, etc.

[0009] The engine includes structures such as a compressor and a combustion chamber, which serves as the combustion site for fuel and outputs power externally.

[0010] The generator is used to receive the power generated by the engine and convert the power into electrical energy.

[0011] The thermoelectric power generation device generates electricity by utilizing the temperature difference between the high-temperature gas ejected by the engine and the external atmosphere.

[0012] The power battery is used to store electrical energy and supply power to external loads.

[0013] The battery compartment is used to place the power battery and the battery temperature control device.

[0014] The motor is connected to an external load to provide power output for the drone.

[0015] The battery temperature control device includes a temperature monitoring device, an exhaust port, a cooling fan, a battery compartment control valve, and an exhaust control valve. The temperature monitoring device is used to monitor the temperature of the power battery and transmit the temperature signal to the energy management module. The exhaust port is used for discharging the gas in the battery compartment. The cooling fan is used to make the external air flow at high speed in the battery compartment to cool the power battery. The battery compartment control valve is used to control the high-temperature exhaust gas passing through the thermoelectric power generation device to enter the battery compartment to heat the power battery. The exhaust control valve is used to control the high-temperature exhaust gas passing through the thermoelectric power generation device to be discharged into the atmosphere.

[0016] The energy management module includes a battery temperature control module and a power management module. The battery temperature control module receives the battery temperature signal and controls the battery temperature control device. The power management module receives the power signal and controls the start and stop of the engine.

[0017] The extended-range power system for drones proposed by the present invention has the following benefits compared to the power systems of pure-battery drones that dominate the market:

[0018] This extended-range power system for drones uses fuel with a high energy density as the energy source for the drone, achieving a high energy density for the drone's power system. At the same time, the extended-range power system can achieve stable energy output.

[0019] This extended-range power system for drones controls the start and stop of the engine through the power management module, so that the battery is in the optimal power range, ensuring that the battery discharge efficiency remains at a relatively high level.

[0020] This extended-range power system for drones converts the waste heat carried by the discharged high-temperature gas into electrical energy through the thermoelectric power generation device, realizing the secondary utilization of energy and improving the overall energy utilization efficiency.

[0021] The range-extended power system of the drone uses the battery compartment and the battery temperature control device to heat up the power battery by utilizing the heat of the exhausted gas, and cools down the power battery through the high-speed circulation of the external air, so that the power battery is at the optimal working temperature, while efficiently utilizing the waste heat of the high-temperature exhaust gas and maintaining good discharge performance of the battery. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the range-extended power system of the drone.

[0023] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the battery temperature control principle.

[0024] Figure 3 It is a flowchart of the battery power management of the range-extended power system of the drone.

[0025] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of the battery temperature control of the range-extended power system of the drone.

[0026] In the figure: 1. Fuel tank; 2. Engine; 3. Generator; 4. Thermoelectric power generation device; 5. Battery compartment; 6. Power battery; 7. Battery temperature control device; 701. Temperature monitoring device; 702. Exhaust port; 703. Cooling fan; 704. Battery compartment control valve; 705. Exhaust control valve; 8. External load; 9. Energy management module; 901. Battery temperature control module; 902. Battery power management module.

[0027] The accompanying drawings here are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, showing the embodiments of the present application and explaining the principles of the present application together with the specification. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0028] The working principle of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, taking the range-extended power system of the drone driven by green methanol as an example.

[0029] It should be noted that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0030] Such as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4As shown in the figure, an embodiment of the present application provides a range - extending power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, which includes a fuel tank 1, an engine 2, a generator 3, a thermoelectric power generation device 4, a battery compartment 5, a power battery 6, a battery temperature control device 7, a temperature monitoring device 701, an exhaust port 702, a cooling fan 703, a battery compartment control valve 704, an exhaust control valve 705, an external load 8, an energy management module 9, a battery temperature control module 901, a battery power management module 902 and other structures. The fuel used in this power system can be natural gas, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, diesel, aviation kerosene, etc. In this embodiment, green methanol is taken as an example, and the corresponding engine 2 is a turboshaft engine.

[0031] Referring to Figure 1 With Figure 2 , after injecting the green methanol fuel from the fuel tank 1 into the engine 2, the fuel in the combustion chamber burns to produce high - temperature and high - pressure gas. The gas sprays out from the combustion chamber, impacts the turbine and makes it rotate, and then drives the turboshaft to output power.

[0032] The engine 2 is connected to the generator 3. The rotation of the turboshaft drives the generator to generate electricity, and the generated electric energy charges the power battery 6.

[0033] The heat interface of the thermoelectric power generation device 4 is placed at the tail nozzle of the engine 2, and the cold interface is placed outside the power system. The temperature difference between the high - temperature gas ejected from the tail nozzle after the methanol fuel burns and the outside can generate electricity through the generator, and the generated electricity charges the power battery 6.

[0034] The power battery 6 supplies power to the external load 8, that is, provides energy for the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0035] The battery power management module 902 receives the power information from the power battery 6, and determines the optimal power range for the battery to work. When the battery power is lower (or higher) than this range, the battery power management module 902 will control the engine to work (or stop working) so that the discharge efficiency of the battery is always maintained at a high level.

[0036] The temperature monitoring device 701 is connected to the power battery 6, real - time monitors the temperature of the power battery, and transmits the temperature signal to the battery temperature control module 901. The battery temperature control module 901 makes a judgment. When the temperature is higher (or lower) than the optimal working temperature range of the power battery 6, the battery temperature control module 901 controls the cooling fan 703 to turn on (or off), the battery compartment control valve 704 to close (or open), and the exhaust control valve 705 to open (or close). By the flow of high - temperature exhaust gas or air in the battery compartment, the temperature of the power battery 6 is increased or decreased, so as to maintain it within the optimal working temperature range.

[0037] Exemplarily, the battery energy management process of this range - extending power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle refers to Figure 3Set the optimal power range of the battery in this embodiment to be 30%-80%. After starting to run, sense the battery power and judge. If the power does not reach 30%, the power battery starts charging and discharging simultaneously, and continuously judge whether it reaches 80%. After the battery power reaches 80%, stop charging and start continuously judging whether the battery power is less than 30%. If it is less than 30%, start charging again. If the initial power reaches 30%, the power battery discharges, and continuously judge whether it is less than 30%. If it is less than 30%, start charging. Stop charging after the power reaches 80%, and the subsequent steps are the same as before. Control the battery to work within the optimal power range of 30%-80% through the above process.

[0038] Exemplarily, the battery temperature control process of the drone range extender power system refers to Figure 4 Set the optimal operating temperature range of the battery in this embodiment to be 15°C - 40°C. After starting to run, the temperature monitoring device monitors the temperature of the power battery in real time. When the battery temperature is greater than 40°C, turn on the cooling fan and the exhaust control valve, and close the battery compartment control valve to allow the outside air to circulate rapidly in the battery compartment to cool the battery; when the battery temperature is within the optimal operating temperature range, turn off the cooling fan and the battery compartment control valve, and turn on the exhaust control valve to keep the battery temperature relatively stable; when the battery temperature is less than 15°C, turn off the cooling fan and the exhaust control valve, and turn on the battery compartment control valve to allow the high-temperature exhaust gas passing through the thermoelectric generation device to circulate in the battery compartment to heat the battery. Control the battery to work within the optimal temperature range of 15°C - 40°C through the above process.

[0039] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present application and are not used to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, various changes and modifications can be made to the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An extended-range power system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, characterized in that: The system includes a fuel tank, an engine, a generator, a temperature difference power generation device, a power battery, a battery compartment, a battery temperature control device and an energy management module.

2. The UAV range-extending power system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fuel tank is used to store fuel and provide fuel to the engine; the engine is used to burn fuel and output power; the generator is connected to the engine and is used to convert the power generated by the engine into electrical energy; the temperature difference power generation device generates electricity by using the temperature difference between the high-temperature gas ejected from the engine and the outside atmosphere; the power battery is used to store electrical energy and supply power to external loads; the battery compartment is used to place the power battery and the battery temperature control device; the battery temperature control device includes a temperature monitoring device, an exhaust port, a cooling fan, a battery compartment control valve and an exhaust control valve, which are used to control the temperature of the power battery; the energy management module includes a battery temperature control module and a power management module, which are respectively used to control the battery temperature control device and the start and stop of the engine.

3. The UAV range-extending power system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fuel energy can be natural gas, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, diesel and aviation kerosene; the engine, generator, power battery and external load are connected in series, the engine burns fuel to generate power, is connected to the generator to drive the generator to generate electricity, the generator is connected to the power battery to charge the power battery, and the power battery provides electrical energy to the external load to form an extended-range power system.

4. The UAV range-extending power system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat interface of the temperature difference power generation device is placed at the tail nozzle of the engine, and the cold interface is placed outside the power system. The temperature difference between the high-temperature exhaust gas and the outside atmosphere is used to generate electricity, thereby fully utilizing the waste heat of the high-temperature exhaust gas and improving the overall energy utilization efficiency.

5. The UAV range-extending power system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery temperature control device monitors the temperature of the power battery in real time through a temperature monitoring device. When the battery temperature is high and needs to be dissipated, the power battery is cooled by a cooling fan. When the battery temperature is low, the high-temperature exhaust gas that has passed through the temperature difference power generation device enters the battery compartment through a battery compartment control valve to increase the temperature of the power battery, and the high-temperature exhaust gas is discharged into the atmosphere through an exhaust control valve, thereby maintaining the power battery in an optimal operating temperature range, allowing the battery to maintain good discharge performance, and at the same time making full use of the waste heat of the exhaust gas after temperature difference power generation to achieve multi-level energy utilization.

6. The UAV range-extending power system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The energy management module receives the power information of the power battery through the power management module, and controls the start and stop of the engine according to the power information, so that the battery power is within a certain range, thereby maintaining the discharge efficiency of the battery at a high level.

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