Fuel cell unmanned aerial vehicle carrying double hydrogen cylinders

By incorporating a dual-hydrogen cylinder fuel cell system and a high-energy-density lithium-ion battery, the problems of drone endurance and communication reliability have been solved, achieving efficient energy management and stable flight, making it suitable for a variety of mission requirements.

CN121425567APending Publication Date: 2026-01-30SHANDONG KAIWEN COLLEGE OF SCI & TECH +1
View PDF 0 Cites 1 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
CN202411273093.5
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-09-11
Publication Date
2026-01-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing drones have limited endurance and charging efficiency, insufficient communication reliability of flight control systems in complex environments, and low energy conversion efficiency, leading to increased operating costs.

Method used

It adopts a dual-hydrogen cylinder fuel cell system, combined with a high-energy-density lithium-ion battery and a dual-mode communication system. It converts hydrogen into electrical energy and optimizes the output of electrical energy. It is equipped with multi-sensor monitoring and automatic flight control to ensure stable communication and efficient flight.

Benefits of technology

It improves the drone's endurance and flight range, ensures stable communication and efficient energy management in complex environments, and enhances operational flexibility and safety.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN121425567A_ABST
    Figure CN121425567A_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicles, and discloses a fuel cell unmanned aerial vehicle carrying double hydrogen cylinders, comprising: a hydrogen storage system comprising two independent gaseous hydrogen storage cylinders, the hydrogen storage system being connected with a fuel cell system through a hydrogen delivery pipeline to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell system; the fuel cell system is used for converting hydrogen into electric energy, and the fuel cell system is connected with the energy storage system through an electric energy transmission line so as to transmit the generated electric energy to the energy storage system; the control system is used for monitoring and regulating various functions of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and the control system is connected with the fuel cell system, the energy storage system and the power flight system through data transmission lines so as to receive and send control instructions. By adopting the double-gas-state hydrogen storage cylinder system, the unmanned aerial vehicle can carry more hydrogen, so that the flight endurance time and distance are prolonged, in addition, the hydrogen cylinders which are modularly designed are convenient to replace quickly, and continuous operation in a long-time task is further ensured.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, specifically to a fuel cell UAV equipped with dual hydrogen cylinders. Background Technology

[0002] As an important branch of the modern aviation industry, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has demonstrated enormous potential and practical value in multiple fields. UAVs can be used for various applications such as military reconnaissance, environmental monitoring, traffic management, and disaster relief, and can perform missions in environments that are difficult for humans to reach or that are dangerous. With technological advancements, the application scope and functional requirements of UAVs are constantly expanding, prompting technology developers to seek more efficient and safer solutions to improve the performance and application effectiveness of UAVs.

[0003] Currently, most drones rely on batteries as their primary energy supply system, with lithium-ion batteries being widely used due to their high energy density and low cost. However, despite offering a convenient energy solution, lithium-ion batteries still have limitations in terms of flight time and charging speed. Furthermore, battery-powered drones typically require long charging times, and the limited number of battery recharge cycles restricts their continuous operating time and operational efficiency.

[0004] While existing technologies have made progress in drone energy management and efficiency, some shortcomings remain. For example, the limited energy density and long charging cycles of traditional batteries are insufficient for supporting long-duration missions, and rapid battery replacement or charging during operation is difficult. Furthermore, the communication reliability of current drone flight control systems in complex environments needs improvement, and inefficient battery energy conversion often leads to energy waste and increased operating costs. Therefore, developing a drone system that provides more efficient energy management and more stable operational performance is particularly important. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a fuel cell drone equipped with dual hydrogen cylinders, which solves the problem of low communication reliability of existing drone flight control systems in complex environments.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a fuel cell drone equipped with dual hydrogen cylinders, comprising:

[0007] A hydrogen storage system comprising two independent gaseous hydrogen storage cylinders, which is connected to a fuel cell system via a hydrogen delivery pipeline to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell system;

[0008] A fuel cell system for converting hydrogen into electrical energy, wherein the fuel cell system is connected to an energy storage system via an electrical transmission line to deliver the generated electrical energy to the energy storage system;

[0009] The control system is used to monitor and regulate the various functions of the UAV. The control system is connected to the fuel cell system, energy storage system and powered flight system through data transmission lines to receive and send control commands.

[0010] An energy storage system, including at least one battery, is connected to a powered flight system via an electrical transmission line to provide startup and auxiliary power to the powered flight system;

[0011] A powered flight system includes at least one drive motor, which is connected to flight control surfaces via a mechanical transmission device to achieve flight attitude control.

[0012] Preferably, the hydrogen storage system further includes:

[0013] The pressure reducing valve is used to regulate the output pressure of hydrogen in the gaseous hydrogen storage cylinder and is connected to the fuel cell system through the hydrogen delivery pipeline to supply hydrogen at a suitable pressure to the fuel cell system.

[0014] The pressure gauge is used to display the gas pressure inside the hydrogen storage cylinder and is connected to the control system via a data transmission line to transmit the gas pressure data inside the hydrogen storage cylinder in real time.

[0015] A pressure sensor is used to monitor the pressure inside the hydrogen storage tank in real time and is connected to the control system via a data transmission line to send the internal gas pressure data of the hydrogen storage tank to the control system.

[0016] The hydrogen inlet solenoid valve and the hydrogen outlet solenoid valve are used to control the flow direction of hydrogen. The hydrogen inlet solenoid valve is connected to the fuel cell system through a hydrogen delivery pipeline, and the hydrogen outlet solenoid valve is connected to the fuel cell system through a hydrogen discharge pipeline.

[0017] Preferably, the dual gaseous hydrogen storage cylinders of the hydrogen storage system have a modular design and can be interchanged through a quick interface mechanism, so as to quickly replace the hydrogen cylinders during drone operation and maintain continuous operation.

[0018] Preferably, the fuel cell system includes:

[0019] The fuel cell controller is used to regulate the operating status of the fuel cell and is connected to the control system via a data transmission line to receive and send the operating status and control commands of the fuel cell.

[0020] A DC-DC converter is used to convert the high-voltage direct current generated by the fuel cell into a voltage suitable for the power system of the drone, and connect it to the energy storage system through the power transmission line to deliver the generated power to the energy storage system.

[0021] A fuel cell stack is used to convert hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction, and is connected to a DC-DC converter via an electrical power transmission line to provide the generated electrical energy to the DC-DC converter.

[0022] Preferably, the fuel cell controller is equipped with a multi-sensor input function, which can receive signals from the fuel cell stack, DC-DC converter and other systems to achieve comprehensive monitoring of the fuel cell's operating status, and to initiate a preset fault handling program when the operating parameters are detected to deviate from the normal range.

[0023] Preferably, the control system includes an integrated electronic unit that integrates automatic flight control and data processing functions, capable of processing data from various sensors of the UAV and automatically adjusting the UAV's flight status according to preset flight parameters.

[0024] Preferably, the battery pack of the energy storage system is designed to match the power output characteristics of the fuel cell system, and uses high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries to optimize the energy supply during fuel cell startup and low-power operation.

[0025] Preferably, the drive motor of the powered flight system is equipped with an electronic speed controller, which can achieve fine adjustment of the flight speed by precisely controlling the current and voltage of the motor power supply.

[0026] Preferably, the drive motor is a multiphase brushless motor equipped with a magnetic induction position sensor to monitor the position of the motor rotor in real time, so as to achieve high precision and high efficiency in motor control.

[0027] Preferably, the drone also includes a dual-mode communication system that supports both radio frequency and satellite communication channels to ensure stable data transmission and remote command reception in complex environments.

[0028] Operating Principle: Its hydrogen storage system comprises two independent gaseous hydrogen storage cylinders. A pressure reducing valve and hydrogen inlet / outlet solenoid valves control the flow and pressure of hydrogen, ensuring it is delivered to the fuel cell system at a suitable pressure. The fuel cell system converts hydrogen into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction. Equipped with a fuel cell controller and a DC-DC converter to optimize power output, this efficient energy is then used to power the various systems of the drone. The control system, as the core of the drone, not only processes data from various sensors but also automatically adjusts flight parameters and monitors system status, ensuring the precision and safety of flight operations. The energy storage system uses high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries to provide the necessary starting and auxiliary power for the powered flight system. The power system consists of a multi-phase brushless motor, equipped with an electronic speed controller and a magnetic position sensor to precisely control flight speed and attitude. Furthermore, the drone is equipped with a dual-mode communication system, supporting radio frequency and satellite communication to ensure stable data transmission and remote command reception in complex environments. This allows the drone to exhibit not only extremely high operational efficiency but also ensure operational flexibility and reliability during mission execution.

[0029] This invention provides a fuel cell drone equipped with dual hydrogen cylinders. It offers the following advantages:

[0030] 1. This invention, by employing a dual-gas hydrogen storage cylinder system, enables drones to carry more hydrogen, thereby increasing flight endurance and distance. Furthermore, the modular design of the hydrogen cylinders facilitates quick replacement, further ensuring continuous operation during long-duration missions.

[0031] 2. This invention utilizes a fuel cell system to efficiently convert hydrogen into electrical energy, and optimizes the electrical output through a DC-DC converter to meet the power requirements of drones. This system offers advantages in energy density and output efficiency compared to traditional battery-powered drones.

[0032] 3. This invention enables the fuel cell controller to monitor the fuel cell's operating status in real time through multi-sensor input functionality, allowing for timely adjustments and handling of anomalies, thus ensuring system stability and safety. Simultaneously, the integrated electronic unit can automatically process flight data and adjust flight attitude, improving flight stability and accuracy.

[0033] 4. The dual-mode communication system of this invention ensures stable communication for UAVs in complex environments such as cities or remote areas. Whether using radio frequency or satellite communication, it can effectively support the reception of remote commands and the transmission of data.

[0034] 5. The high-energy-density lithium-ion battery of this invention matches the output characteristics of the fuel cell system, which can optimize the energy supply during startup and low-power operation, which is crucial for maintaining continuous system operation and coping with high load demands.

[0035] 6. This invention, through the configuration of an electronic speed controller and a multi-phase brushless motor, combined with a magnetic induction position sensor, enables more precise adjustment of the drone's flight speed, thereby improving flight efficiency and response speed.

[0036] In summary, this drone design not only improves operational flexibility and safety, but also provides long-duration, high-efficiency flight capabilities through the use of efficient and environmentally friendly fuel cell technology, making it suitable for a variety of monitoring, transportation, and exploration missions. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 This is a system flowchart of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0039] 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.

[0040] Example:

[0041] Please see the appendix Figure 1 -Appendix Figure 2 This invention provides a fuel cell drone equipped with dual hydrogen cylinders, comprising:

[0042] hydrogen storage system

[0043] The core of this system consists of two independent gaseous hydrogen storage tanks, designed with high-pressure storage technology to maximize hydrogen storage capacity and improve the drone's endurance. The storage tanks are made of lightweight, high-strength materials, ensuring safety while reducing weight. A pressure reducing valve plays a crucial role in the system, regulating the pressure of hydrogen released from the high-pressure storage tank to ensure the hydrogen pressure received by the fuel cell remains within its optimal operating range. Pressure gauges and sensors monitor the pressure in the storage tanks in real time, connecting to the control system via data transmission lines for real-time data feedback and monitoring, enhancing system safety. Furthermore, hydrogen inlet and outlet solenoid valves control the flow of hydrogen, which is essential for maintaining the balance and efficiency of the fuel cell system.

[0044] fuel cell system

[0045] The core of this system is the fuel cell stack, which converts hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction. The fuel cell stack is designed with optimized reaction area and material selection to enhance its efficiency and durability. A DC-DC converter transforms the high-voltage direct current generated by the fuel cell into a stable voltage and current suitable for the drone's electronic equipment. The fuel cell controller is equipped with multi-sensor input capabilities, enabling it to receive signals from the fuel cell stack and DC-DC converter, monitor the system status in real time, and respond automatically or by initiating fault handling procedures when operating parameters deviate from set ranges, significantly improving the system's reliability and safety.

[0046] control system

[0047] The integrated electronic unit includes automatic flight control and data processing functions. This system processes data collected from various sensors on the UAV, including position, speed, and altitude sensors, and uses advanced algorithms to automatically adjust the flight status to adapt to different flight environments and mission requirements. Furthermore, the system also processes data from the fuel cell system and energy storage system to optimize energy use and extend equipment lifespan.

[0048] Energy storage system

[0049] The system employs high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries that match the power output characteristics of the fuel cell system. These batteries not only serve as auxiliary power during fuel cell startup but also provide independent power when the fuel cell is not operating, ensuring the drone's power needs in emergencies. This configuration enhances the drone's energy redundancy and improves flight reliability.

[0050] Powered flight system

[0051] The drive motor is a multi-phase brushless motor equipped with an electronic speed controller and a magnetic position sensor. This configuration allows for precise control of the motor's speed and position, improving flight stability and maneuverability. Brushless motor technology reduces maintenance requirements and extends service life, while the efficient electronic controller ensures minimal energy consumption during the conversion of electrical energy into power.

[0052] Communication system

[0053] The dual-mode communication system combines radio and satellite communication technologies to ensure stable data transmission and remote command reception in various environments. This is especially crucial for operations in remote or heavily jammed areas, increasing the flexibility and application range of drone operations.

[0054] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A fuel cell drone carrying two hydrogen cylinders, characterized by, The application relates to a hydrogen storage system for unmanned aerial vehicles, which comprises the following components: a hydrogen storage system comprising two independent gaseous hydrogen storage cylinders, which is connected with a fuel cell system through a hydrogen delivery pipeline to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell system; a fuel cell system for converting hydrogen into electric energy, which is connected with an energy storage system through an electric energy transmission line to deliver the generated electric energy to the energy storage system; a control system for monitoring and regulating the functions of the unmanned aerial vehicle, which is connected with the fuel cell system, the energy storage system and the power flight system through data transmission lines to receive and send control instructions; an energy storage system comprising at least one battery, which is connected with the power flight system through an electric energy transmission line to provide starting and auxiliary power to the power flight system; a power flight system comprising at least one driving motor, which is connected with flight control surfaces through mechanical transmission devices to realize flight attitude control.

2. The fuel cell drone carrying two hydrogen cylinders according to claim 1, wherein, The hydrogen storage system further comprises: a pressure reducing valve for adjusting the output pressure of hydrogen in the gaseous hydrogen storage cylinder, which is connected with the fuel cell system through a hydrogen delivery pipeline to supply hydrogen with appropriate pressure to the fuel cell system; a pressure gauge for displaying the gas pressure in the hydrogen storage cylinder, which is connected with the control system through a data transmission line to transmit the gas pressure data in the hydrogen storage cylinder in real time; a pressure sensor for monitoring the pressure in the hydrogen storage cylinder in real time, which is connected with the control system through a data transmission line to send the gas pressure data in the hydrogen storage cylinder to the control system; hydrogen inlet and outlet electromagnetic valves for controlling the flow direction of hydrogen, the hydrogen inlet electromagnetic valve being connected with the fuel cell system through a hydrogen delivery pipeline, and the hydrogen outlet electromagnetic valve being connected with the fuel cell system through a hydrogen discharge pipeline.

3. The fuel cell drone carrying two hydrogen cylinders according to claim 2, wherein, The two gaseous hydrogen storage cylinders of the hydrogen storage system have a modular design and can be exchanged through a quick interface mechanism to facilitate quick replacement of the hydrogen cylinders during operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle and maintain continuous operation.

4. The fuel cell drone carrying dual hydrogen cylinders as claimed in claim 1 wherein, The fuel cell system comprises: a fuel cell controller for regulating the working state of the fuel cell, which is connected with the control system through a data transmission line to receive and send the working state and control instructions of the fuel cell; a DC-DC converter for converting high-voltage direct current generated by the fuel cell into voltage suitable for the power system of the unmanned aerial vehicle, which is connected with the energy storage system through an electric energy transmission line to deliver the generated electric energy to the energy storage system; a fuel cell stack for converting hydrogen and oxygen into electric energy through an electrochemical reaction, which is connected with the DC-DC converter through an electric energy transmission line to provide the generated electric energy to the DC-DC converter.

5. The fuel cell drone carrying two hydrogen cylinders according to claim 4, wherein, The fuel cell controller is configured with a multi-sensor input function, which can receive signals from the fuel cell stack, the DC-DC converter and other systems to realize comprehensive monitoring of the working state of the fuel cell, and start a preset fault handling program when the working parameters deviate from the normal range.

6. The fuel cell drone carrying dual hydrogen cylinders as claimed in claim 1 wherein, The control system comprises an integrated electronic unit which integrates automatic flight control and data processing functions, can process data from various sensors of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and automatically adjusts the flight attitude of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to preset flight parameters.

7. The fuel cell drone carrying dual hydrogen cylinders as claimed in claim 1 wherein, The battery pack of the energy storage system is designed to match the power output characteristics of the fuel cell system, using high energy density lithium ion batteries to optimize energy supply during fuel cell startup and low power operation.

8. The fuel cell drone carrying dual hydrogen cylinders as claimed in claim 1 wherein, The drive motor of the power flight system is equipped with an electronic speed controller, which precisely controls the current and voltage of the motor power supply to achieve fine adjustment of the flight speed.

9. The fuel cell drone carrying dual hydrogen cylinders of claim 8, wherein, The drive motor is a multi-phase brushless motor equipped with a magnetic induction position sensor for real-time monitoring of the motor rotor position, achieving high precision and efficiency in motor control.

10. The fuel cell drone carrying dual hydrogen cylinders of claim 1, wherein, The UAV also includes a dual-mode communication system that supports both radio frequency and satellite communication channels to ensure stable data transmission and remote command reception in complex environments.

Citation Information

Cited By

  • Four-rotor hydrogen-electric hybrid flying backpack

    CN121671862A