Unmanned aerial vehicle icing sensor ground detection device and method

Abstract

The invention provides an unmanned aerial vehicle icing sensor ground detection device and method, and belongs to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicle ground maintenance and guarantee. The device comprises a main machine, the main machine comprises a water tank and an electric water pump, the water tank is connected with the electric water pump through a fixed water pipe II, the electric water pump is connected with a water supply hose through a fixed water pipe I, the water supply hose is connected with a water mist nozzle at the top of a test cover, and a plurality of coolant spray holes are circumferentially distributed in the wall of the test cover. The test cover covers an icing sensor of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and the coolant spray pipe sprays a coolant through one of the coolant spray holes. The unmanned aerial vehicle icing sensor ground detection method solves the problem that in the prior art, a means for conducting rapid and effective ground detection on an unmanned aerial vehicle icing sensor is lacked, and has the advantages of being easy and convenient to operate, rapid in response and convenient to use in an external field.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of UAV ground maintenance and testing equipment technology, and in particular to a UAV icing sensor ground testing device and method. Background Technology

[0002] When drones pass through clouds or in high-humidity, low-temperature airspace, critical components such as their wings and pitot tubes are prone to icing, seriously affecting flight safety. Icing sensors are core components used to detect such icing and trigger de-icing systems or alarms. Therefore, ensuring the reliability of icing sensors during flight is crucial.

[0003] Currently, there is a lack of rapid and effective ground-based testing methods specifically for icing sensors in the routine maintenance and field support of drones. Maintenance personnel can typically only perform visual inspections or circuit continuity tests, and cannot simulate real physical icing environments to verify the functional integrity of the sensors. This results in potential sensor malfunctions going undetected in a timely manner, posing safety hazards to drone flights.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a dedicated device and method that can simulate icing conditions on the ground, allowing ground crew to quickly and intuitively verify the working status of icing sensors. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a ground detection device and method for UAV icing sensors.

[0006] The present invention adopts the following technical solution: A ground detection device for a drone icing sensor includes a main unit, which includes a water tank and an electric water pump. The water tank is connected to the electric water pump via a fixed water pipe II. The electric water pump is connected to a water supply hose via a fixed water pipe I. The water supply hose is connected to a water mist nozzle on the top of a test hood. Multiple coolant spray holes are distributed circumferentially on the test hood wall. During detection, the test hood covers the drone's icing sensor, and the spray pipe of the coolant reservoir sprays coolant through one of the coolant spray holes.

[0007] Furthermore, the test cover has a trumpet-shaped structure, with a flange at the bottom. The flange has screw holes and is fixedly connected to the UAV body by screws.

[0008] Furthermore, the test cover is made of PLA resin and manufactured by 3D printing, making it lightweight and preventing damage to the aircraft skin.

[0009] Furthermore, the water supply hose has quick-connect fittings at both ends for easy assembly and disassembly.

[0010] Furthermore, a flow regulating valve is installed on the fixed water pipe I to regulate the water flow rate.

[0011] Furthermore, the host unit is housed inside a device box for easy transportation and storage.

[0012] Furthermore, the electric water pump is connected to the power module via a cable, on which a switch button and an indicator light are also installed.

[0013] The present invention also provides a method for using a ground detection device for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) icing sensor, comprising: Step 1. Secure the test cover to the drone so that it covers the icing sensor. Connect the electric water pump to the water mist nozzle using a water supply hose. Connect the electric water pump to the power module.

[0014] Step 2. Turn on the power and spray water mist into the test chamber using an electric water pump. Then, spray coolant into the test chamber through the coolant nozzle until the water mist on the surface of the drone freezes.

[0015] Step 3. Observe whether the drone system generates an icing alarm to determine the functional status of the icing sensor.

[0016] Step 4. Clean the equipment and store it in the equipment box.

[0017] Furthermore, step 2 also includes adjusting the size of the water mist inside the test chamber by adjusting the opening of the flow regulating valve.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. Effectiveness: By using water mist and coolant, an icing environment can be quickly and realistically simulated on the ground, effectively verifying the sensor's functionality.

[0019] 2. Portability: This invention has a high degree of integration and a compact structure. It comes with a portable device case, making it very suitable for use in situations with limited conditions, such as outdoor fields.

[0020] 3. Safety: The test cover is made of non-metallic soft material, which avoids scratching the surface of the drone. At the same time, the invention has designed clear operating procedures to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.

[0021] 4. Ease of use: The operation process is simple and intuitive, requiring no professional personnel. Ordinary ground staff can complete the testing after simple training, which greatly improves maintenance efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the test cover.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a top view of the test cover.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the water mist and coolant spray path inside the test chamber of the present invention.

[0027] In the diagram: 1-Main unit, 11-Water tank, 12-Electric water pump, 13-Power module, 14-Flow regulating valve, 15-Switch button, 16-Indicator light; 2-Test hood, 21-Water mist nozzle, 22-Coolant spray hole, 23-Flange; 3-Water supply hose, 31-Quick connector; 4-Coolant reservoir; 5-Equipment box. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention are described clearly and completely below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0029] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, a ground detection device for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) icing sensor according to the present invention includes a main unit 1, a test cover 2, and a coolant reservoir 4. The main unit 1 is housed within an equipment case 5. The equipment case 5 can be a portable engineering plastic case.

[0030] The main unit 1 consists of a water tank 11, an electric water pump 12, a power module 13, a flow regulating valve 14, a switch button 15, and an indicator light 16. The water tank 11 has a capacity of 1L. The electric water pump 12 uses DC power with a rated voltage of 24V. The power module 13 converts 220V AC mains power to 24V DC power.

[0031] The test chamber 2 is connected to one end of the water supply hose 3, and the other end of the water supply hose 3 is connected to one end of the fixed water pipe I. The other end of the fixed water pipe I is connected to one end of the electric water pump 12. A flow regulating valve 14 is installed on the fixed water pipe I. The electric water pump 12 is connected to the power module 13 via a cable, on which a switch button 15 and an indicator light 16 are also installed. The electric water pump 12 is connected to the water tank 11 via the fixed water pipe II. Both ends of the water supply hose 3 are equipped with quick-connect couplings 31 for quick sealing and separation. The test chamber 2 is manufactured using PLA resin through 3D printing technology.

[0032] The test chamber 2 has a funnel-shaped structure. A water mist nozzle 21 is installed at the top inside the test chamber 2 to atomize the water from the water tank 11 into fine water droplets. Multiple coolant spray holes 22 are distributed circumferentially on the walls of the test chamber 2 to spray coolant into the test chamber 2 from different angles. The bottom of the test chamber 2 is a flange 23 with screw holes, allowing it to be securely mounted to the drone body using M4 screws or other fasteners, completely covering the icing sensor to be tested.

[0033] The present invention also provides a method for using a ground detection device for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) icing sensor, comprising: Step 1. Installation and Connection: The test cover 2 is placed over the icing sensor of the drone and secured with screws. The electric water pump 12 is connected to the water mist nozzle 21 via the water supply hose 3. The power module 13 is connected to the mains power.

[0034] Step 2. Conduct an icing simulation: Press the power button 15 on the main unit 1, the indicator light 16 illuminates, and the electric water pump 12 starts working, pumping water from the water tank 11 into the test chamber 2. The water flows through the water mist nozzle 21 to form a water mist, which is evenly sprayed onto the surface of the icing sensor. The operator can adjust the water mist size through the flow regulating valve 14. After the surface of the icing sensor is fully wetted by the water mist, insert the nozzle of the coolant reservoir into the most suitable coolant spray hole 22 on the test chamber 2 and press briefly to spray for a few seconds. The coolant rapidly vaporizes and absorbs heat, causing the surface temperature of the icing sensor to drop sharply to below -20°C in a short time, and the water mist on its surface condenses into ice.

[0035] Step 3. Perform functional checks: Maintenance personnel enter the UAV's control cabin or check the ground control station to observe whether the UAV's monitoring system has issued an icing alarm. If the system issues a normal alarm, it indicates that the icing sensor is functioning correctly; if there is no alarm, it indicates that the icing sensor is faulty and needs to be repaired.

[0036] Step 4. Storage equipment: After the test, press the switch button 15 again to turn off the power to the main unit 1. Remove the water supply hose 3, disconnect the electric water pump 12 from the water mist nozzle 21, remove the test cover 2, clean all parts and store them in the equipment box 5.

[0037] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ground detection device for UAV icing sensors, characterized in that, The system includes a main unit, which comprises a water tank and an electric water pump. The water tank is connected to the electric water pump via a fixed water pipe II. The electric water pump is connected to a water supply hose via a fixed water pipe I. The water supply hose is connected to a water mist nozzle on the top of the test hood. Multiple coolant spray holes are distributed circumferentially on the test hood wall. During testing, the test hood covers the icing sensor of the UAV, and the spray pipe of the coolant reservoir sprays coolant through one of the coolant spray holes.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The test cover has a trumpet-shaped structure with a flange at the bottom. The flange has screw holes and is fixedly connected to the UAV body by screws.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The test cover is made of PLA resin and manufactured by 3D printing.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water supply hose has quick-connect fittings at both ends.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, A flow regulating valve is also installed on the fixed water pipe I.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main unit is housed inside a device box.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electric water pump is connected to the power module via a cable, which is also equipped with a switch button and an indicator light.

8. A method of using a ground detection device for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) icing sensor, characterized in that, include: Step 1. Fix the test cover to the drone so that it covers the icing sensor. Connect the electric water pump to the water mist nozzle using the water supply hose. Connect the electric water pump to the power module. Step 2. Turn on the power and spray water mist into the test chamber using an electric water pump. Spray coolant into the test chamber through the coolant nozzle until the water mist on the surface of the drone freezes. Step 3. Observe whether the drone system generates an icing alarm to determine the functional status of the icing sensor; Step 4. Clean the equipment and store it in the equipment box.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, Step 2 also includes adjusting the size of the water mist inside the test chamber by adjusting the opening of the flow regulating valve.

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