A kind of unmanned plane for pulse load distribution device and its working method

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of power supply, and provides a power distribution device for pulse load used by a unmanned aerial vehicle and a working method thereof, the power distribution device comprising a generator input interface, a battery input interface, a communication interface, an input switch K1, an input switch K2, a pre-charging relay, an energy storage capacitor, a control acquisition board, a busbar, an output switch K3 and a power output interface; the generator input interface is used for connecting a generator; the battery input interface is used for connecting an emergency battery; the power output interface is used for connecting a pulse load; and the communication interface is used for connecting an onboard computer of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The present application comprehensively designs the existing onboard power supply through a circuit to minimize the design to meet the pulse load power supply, without the need to add new power supply equipment, improve the pulse load power supply capacity of the onboard power supply of the unmanned aerial vehicle, reduce the requirement of the pulse load on the rated power of the generator of the unmanned aerial vehicle platform, reduce the independent design of the capacity of the energy storage capacitor, reduce the weight of the unmanned aerial vehicle equipment, and improve the flight performance and task efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of power supply technology, and more specifically, to a power distribution device for pulse loads in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and its operating method. Background Technology

[0002] Most existing medium-sized UAVs use a single-engine piston engine design, and the power supply usually uses a 28V DC generator. They are usually equipped with lithium batteries as emergency power. The maximum power output of a single generator is 6 kilowatts, and the power consumption of the UAV platform itself is a maximum of 3 kilowatts. The power supply capacity of existing UAVs is not high, and they can only carry conventional mission payloads such as low-power optoelectronic and synthetic aperture radar (SAR), which greatly limits the effectiveness of UAVs.

[0003] Most existing pulse loads consume significant power, typically exceeding 4 kilowatts. The higher the power, the more pronounced the load's function, and the higher the frequency of power fluctuations. This places high demands on the power generator. Because the generator needs to maintain a stable supply voltage, the adjustment time for sudden load changes is lengthy. Directly supplying power to the pulse load from a generator typically generates large voltage fluctuations in the power grid, exceeding the tolerance range of the UAV platform equipment. This can cause the UAV to malfunction, significantly impacting flight safety. To mitigate voltage fluctuations, the generator's rated output power is usually required to be twice the power consumed by the pulse load, which UAVs cannot meet. Furthermore, pulse loads typically require a separate, large-capacity energy storage capacitor at the load's upstream end to balance the voltage fluctuations caused by the pulse load. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a power distribution device for UAVs used for pulse loads, so as to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned pulse loads.

[0005] The present invention provides a power distribution device for a UAV with pulse load, including a generator input interface, a battery input interface, a communication interface, an input switch K1, an input switch K2, a pre-charge relay, an energy storage capacitor, a control acquisition board, a busbar, an output switch K3, and a power output interface;

[0006] The generator input interface is connected to the busbar via input switch K1 on one side, and via a pre-charge relay and an energy storage capacitor on the other side; the battery input interface is connected to the busbar via input switch K2; the power output interface is connected to the busbar via output switch K3; the control acquisition board is connected to the communication interface, the pre-charge relay, input switch K1, input switch K2, and output switch K3;

[0007] The generator input interface is used to connect the generator; the battery input interface is used to connect the emergency battery; the power output interface is used to connect the pulse load; and the communication interface is used to connect the UAV's onboard computer.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, a current limiting device is connected between the precharge relay and the energy storage capacitor.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the current limiting device is a current limiting resistor.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, an anti-backflow device is connected between the battery input interface and the input switch K2.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the anti-backflow device is a reverse-current diode.

[0012] The operating method of the power distribution device for the aforementioned UAV used for pulse loads includes:

[0013] Connect the generator input interface to the generator, the battery input interface to the emergency battery, the power output interface to the pulse load, and the communication interface to the UAV's onboard computer.

[0014] The control and acquisition board receives a power-on command from the UAV's onboard computer: It connects the pre-charge relay to charge the energy storage capacitor; once the energy storage capacitor is fully charged, it connects the input switch K1 and disconnects the pre-charge relay to connect the generator to the busbar; then it connects the input switch K2 to connect the emergency battery to the busbar; finally, it connects the output switch K3 to complete the power-on process.

[0015] The control and acquisition board receives a power-down command from the UAV's onboard computer and sequentially disconnects output switch K3, input switch K2, and input switch K1, thus completing the power-down process.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, during the power-on completion, power-off completion, and power-off process, the control acquisition board feeds back the corresponding operating status of the power distribution device to the UAV's onboard computer.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the method for controlling the acquisition board to determine whether the energy storage capacitor is fully charged includes:

[0018] The control and acquisition board monitors the busbar voltage in real time;

[0019] If the monitored busbar voltage reaches the first preset voltage, it is determined that the energy storage capacitor is fully charged.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, after power-on, the control acquisition board monitors the busbar voltage in real time. If the monitored voltage is less than the second preset voltage, it is determined that the input switch K1 is undervoltage, and the input switch K2 is disconnected after the undervoltage is determined.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the control acquisition board can disconnect the input switch K2 at any time according to the battery disconnect command issued by the UAV's onboard computer, so as to disconnect the emergency battery input.

[0022] In summary, this invention integrates existing airborne power supplies through circuit design to minimize the design required to power pulsed loads, eliminating the need for additional power supply equipment. This improves the pulsed load power supply capability of the UAV's onboard power supply, reduces the rated power requirements of the UAV platform's generator for pulsed loads, decreases the capacity of independently designed energy storage capacitors, reduces the weight of the UAV equipment, and improves flight performance and mission efficiency. Specifically:

[0023] 1. Protect the emergency battery: The emergency battery is only connected after the energy storage capacitor is fully charged, which strictly controls the charging power of the energy storage capacitor to be solely the generator, thus avoiding excessive consumption of the emergency battery power.

[0024] 2. Reduce voltage modulation: By making comprehensive use of the airborne power supply, reduce the voltage modulation caused by pulse load on the airborne platform power supply.

[0025] 3. Weight and cost optimization: Make reasonable use of the existing airborne power source, eliminating the need for separate large-capacity energy storage equipment, thus reducing the weight and cost of airborne equipment.

[0026] 4. Automated process: The entire power charging process is automated, parameters are monitored in real time, and abnormalities are automatically detected and protected, reducing fault detection time and preventing fault spread. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a power distribution device for pulse loads in a UAV, provided as an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario of a power distribution device for pulse loads on a drone, provided as an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, 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. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0030] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0031] Example

[0032] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a power distribution device for a UAV with pulse loads, including a generator input interface, a battery input interface, a communication interface, an input switch K1, an input switch K2, a pre-charge relay, an energy storage capacitor, a control acquisition board, a busbar, an output switch K3, and a power output interface;

[0033] The generator input interface is connected to the busbar via input switch K1 on one hand, and via a pre-charge relay and an energy storage capacitor on the other hand.

[0034] The battery input interface is connected to the busbar via input switch K2;

[0035] The power output interface is connected to the busbar via output switch K3;

[0036] The control acquisition board is connected to a communication interface, a pre-charge relay, input switches K1, K2, and output switch K3. It can receive corresponding control commands from the UAV's onboard computer through the communication interface to control the on / off state of the pre-charge relay, input switches K1, K2, and output switch K3. In this embodiment, the control acquisition board controls the pre-charge relay, input switches K1, K2, and output switch K3 through switch control signals.

[0037] The generator input interface is used to connect to the generator;

[0038] The battery input interface is used to connect an emergency battery;

[0039] The power output interface is used to connect a pulse load;

[0040] The communication interface is used to connect to the UAV's onboard computer, and the communication interface uses RS422 communication.

[0041] The generator input power, the UAV emergency battery, and the energy storage capacitor in the power distribution device are integrated under the control of the UAV's onboard computer to jointly supply power to the pulse load.

[0042] In the aforementioned power distribution device for pulsed loads used by the UAV, a current-limiting device is connected between the pre-charge relay and the energy storage capacitor to provide overcurrent protection when a large instantaneous current is generated during the charging of the energy storage capacitor by the generator. Preferably, the current-limiting device is a current-limiting resistor, as this method results in the simplest circuit. In some scenarios, other current-limiting devices can also be used, such as some common current-limiting circuits.

[0043] In the aforementioned power distribution device for pulse loads of the UAV, an anti-backflow device, preferably an anti-reverse diode, is connected between the battery input interface and the input switch K2 to prevent the electricity from the generator or energy storage capacitor from flowing directly into the emergency battery in reverse. This ensures that the electricity from the emergency battery can only flow into the busbar in the forward direction, and the power of the emergency battery is only used for output, replenishing the power when the busbar voltage is low.

[0044] The following describes the operation method of the power distribution device for pulse loads used in the aforementioned UAV, including two processes: power-on and power-off, as detailed below:

[0045] S100 connects the generator input interface to the generator, the battery input interface to the emergency battery, the power output interface to the pulse load, and the communication interface to the UAV's onboard computer; that is, it is necessary to ensure that the power distribution device and other components are correctly connected before powering on.

[0046] S200, the control and acquisition board receives the power-on command from the UAV's onboard computer: turn on the pre-charge relay to charge the energy storage capacitor; when the energy storage capacitor is fully charged, turn on the input switch K1 and turn off the pre-charge relay to connect the generator to the bus bar; then turn on the input switch K2 to connect the emergency battery to the bus bar; then turn on the output switch K3 to complete the power-on process.

[0047] Upon power-up, only the pre-charge relay is activated. Input switch K2 is activated only after the energy storage capacitor is fully charged, strictly controlling the charging power of the energy storage capacitor to be solely from the generator, thus avoiding excessive consumption of emergency battery power. Output switch K3 is then activated to ensure all power sources are connected before supplying power to the pulse load, reducing the impact of the pulse load on each power source. Therefore, by merging all onboard power sources and adding the energy storage capacitor, and automatically controlling the charging of the energy storage capacitor, the merging sequence of each power source, and the power supply sequence of the pulse load, the system can automatically provide the necessary operating power to the pulse load. Since pulse loads have high power requirements, the integrated power supply scheme of this invention has higher power utilization efficiency and better performance compared to a single power source mode.

[0048] The S300 control and acquisition board receives a power-down command from the UAV's onboard computer and sequentially disconnects output switch K3, input switch K2, and input switch K1, completing the power-down process.

[0049] During the power-on process of the aforementioned power distribution device, the methods used by the control acquisition board to determine whether the energy storage capacitor is fully charged include:

[0050] The control and acquisition board monitors the busbar voltage in real time;

[0051] If the monitored busbar voltage reaches the first preset voltage (set according to needs and actual application, for example, set to 28V), then the energy storage capacitor is determined to be fully charged.

[0052] After the power distribution device is powered on, the control acquisition board monitors the busbar voltage in real time. If the monitored voltage is less than the second preset voltage (set according to needs and actual application, for example, 27.2V), it is determined that the input switch K1 is undervoltage. After determining the undervoltage, the input switch K2 is disconnected to greatly protect the emergency battery capacity.

[0053] After the power distribution device is powered on, the control acquisition board can disconnect the input switch K2 at any time according to the battery disconnection command issued by the UAV's onboard computer, thereby disconnecting the emergency battery input and greatly protecting the emergency battery capacity.

[0054] During the power-on, power-off, and power-off processes, the control and data acquisition board of the aforementioned power distribution device feeds back the corresponding operating status of the power distribution device to the UAV's onboard computer:

[0055] Upon completion of power-on, the control acquisition board sends feedback to the UAV's onboard computer regarding the working status of the power distribution device, indicating that power-on is complete.

[0056] When the power-down is complete, the control acquisition board feeds back the working status of the power distribution device to the UAV's onboard computer to indicate that the power-down is complete.

[0057] During the power-down process, the control acquisition board reports the power distribution device's operating status to the UAV's onboard computer, indicating that it is powering down.

[0058] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A power distribution device for pulsed loads in a UAV, characterized in that, It includes a generator input interface, a battery input interface, a communication interface, input switch K1, input switch K2, a pre-charge relay, an energy storage capacitor, a control acquisition board, a busbar, an output switch K3, and a power output interface; The generator input interface is connected to the busbar via input switch K1 on one side, and via a pre-charge relay and an energy storage capacitor on the other side; the battery input interface is connected to the busbar via input switch K2; the power output interface is connected to the busbar via output switch K3; the control acquisition board is connected to the communication interface, the pre-charge relay, input switch K1, input switch K2, and output switch K3; The generator input interface is used to connect the generator; the battery input interface is used to connect the emergency battery. The power output interface is used to connect a pulse load; The communication interface is used to connect to the UAV's onboard computer; The method for operating the power distribution device of the UAV for pulse load includes: Connect the generator input interface to the generator, the battery input interface to the emergency battery, the power output interface to the pulse load, and the communication interface to the UAV's onboard computer. The control and acquisition board receives a power-on command from the UAV's onboard computer: It connects the pre-charge relay to charge the energy storage capacitor; once the energy storage capacitor is fully charged, it connects input switch K1 and disconnects the pre-charge relay to connect the generator to the busbar; then it connects input switch K2 to connect the emergency battery to the busbar; finally, it connects output switch K3 to complete the power-on process. The control and acquisition board can disconnect input switch K2 at any time based on the battery disconnect command issued by the UAV's onboard computer to disconnect the emergency battery input. The control and acquisition board monitors the busbar voltage in real time; if the monitored voltage is less than the second preset voltage, it determines that input switch K1 is undervoltage and disconnects input switch K2 after determining undervoltage. The control and acquisition board receives a power-down command from the UAV's onboard computer and sequentially disconnects output switch K3, input switch K2, and input switch K1, thus completing the power-down process.

2. The power distribution device for pulse loads in a UAV according to claim 1, characterized in that, A current limiting device is connected between the pre-charge relay and the energy storage capacitor.

3. The power distribution device for pulse loads in a UAV according to claim 2, characterized in that, The current limiting device uses a current limiting resistor.

4. The power distribution device for pulse loads in a UAV according to claim 1, characterized in that, An anti-backflow device is connected between the battery input interface and the input switch K2.

5. The power distribution device for pulse loads in a UAV according to claim 4, characterized in that, The backflow prevention device is a reverse-current protection diode.

6. The power distribution device for pulse loads in a UAV according to claim 1, characterized in that, Upon completion of power-on, power-off, and during power-off, the control acquisition board feeds back the corresponding operating status of the power distribution device to the UAV's onboard computer.

7. The power distribution device for pulse loads in a UAV according to claim 1, characterized in that, The methods used by the control and acquisition board to determine whether the energy storage capacitor is fully charged include: The control and acquisition board monitors the busbar voltage in real time; If the monitored busbar voltage reaches the first preset voltage, it is determined that the energy storage capacitor is fully charged.

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