A cloud-edge-device collaborative automated operation system for marine unmanned aerial vehicles

Abstract

This invention discloses a cloud-edge-device collaborative automated operation system for marine unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), belonging to the field of marine UAV operation technology. The system consists of a cloud server, edge nodes, and UAV terminals. The UAV terminal integrates streamlined floats, a propulsion device, a robotic arm, and an onboard computing unit, realizing a three-in-one function of aerial flight, sea surface take-off and landing, and water surface navigation. The cloud is responsible for global task scheduling and model optimization, the edge nodes complete real-time data processing and command issuance, and the terminal executes precise operations. Through cloud-edge-device collaboration, the system solves the problems of poor coordination, insufficient accuracy, and weak sea state adaptability in traditional marine UAV operations. It can operate stably in sea state 3, improving operational efficiency in scenarios such as offshore wind power maintenance and search and rescue, and has broad application prospects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operation technology, specifically to a cloud-edge-device collaborative automated marine UAV operation system. Background Technology

[0002] As a strategic emerging industry, the low-altitude economy is increasingly demonstrating its application value in the marine field. Maritime unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as an important carrier of the low-altitude economy, are widely used in scenarios such as wind power operation and maintenance, search and rescue, and environmental monitoring. However, traditional maritime inspections largely rely on purely aerial UAVs, which can only complete observation tasks. After a problem is discovered, subsequent operations require the dispatch of ships and other equipment, a cumbersome and time-consuming process. Furthermore, some UAVs with surface capabilities suffer from limited operational efficiency due to either unreasonable float design leading to high flight drag or insufficient precision in their propulsion control systems, making them ill-suited for complex sea conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this section is to outline some aspects of the embodiments of the present invention and to briefly describe some preferred embodiments. Simplifications or omissions may be made in this section, as well as in the abstract and title of this application, to avoid obscuring the purpose of these documents; however, such simplifications or omissions should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0004] In view of the problems existing in the above and / or existing cloud-edge-device collaborative maritime unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) automated operation systems, this invention is proposed.

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a cloud-edge-device collaborative automatic operation system for marine unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to solve the problems of poor coordination, insufficient accuracy, and weak adaptability to sea conditions in traditional marine UAV operations.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A cloud-edge-device collaborative maritime unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) automated operation system includes a cloud server, edge nodes, and UAV terminals. The cloud server is communicatively connected to the edge nodes, and the edge nodes are communicatively connected to the UAV terminals. The UAV terminals have multimodal operation capabilities, including aerial flight, sea surface take-off and landing, and water surface navigation.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment of the cloud-edge-device collaborative maritime unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) automated operation system described in this invention, the UAV terminal includes a multi-rotor flight platform, a detachable streamlined float, a surface propulsion device, a robotic arm operation unit, and an onboard computing unit; the float is made of carbon fiber composite material and is integrated with the propulsion device and installed at the bottom of the flight platform.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the cloud-edge-device collaborative maritime unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) automatic operation system described in this invention, the cloud server is configured with a task management module and a data storage module, which are used to receive operation data uploaded by edge nodes, perform global task planning, operation model training and optimization, and issue task instructions to edge nodes.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the cloud-edge-device collaborative maritime unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) automatic operation system described in this invention, the edge node is deployed on a shore-based or platform near the maritime operation area, and is equipped with a real-time data processing module and a command forwarding module. It is used to receive sensor data from the UAV terminal and perform localized processing, while simultaneously receiving commands from the cloud server and sending them to the UAV terminal.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the cloud-edge-device collaborative maritime unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) automated operation system described in this invention, the onboard computing unit of the UAV terminal works in collaboration with edge nodes and cloud servers to process real-time data on flight attitude adjustment, target recognition, and robotic arm operation, thereby achieving multi-task parallel processing.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the cloud-edge-device collaborative maritime unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) automated operation system described in this invention, the robotic arm operation unit is equipped with a force sensor and a vision guidance component to compensate for fuselage sway errors and to achieve precision operations such as bolt tightening, component grasping, and life-saving equipment deployment.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the cloud-edge-device collaborative maritime unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) automatic operation system described in this invention, the UAV terminal fuselage frame adopts a wave-resistant reinforced design and key parts are equipped with waterproof sealing structures, enabling stable take-off, landing and navigation operations under sea state 3.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the cloud-edge-device collaborative maritime unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) automatic operation system described in this invention, the cloud server, edge nodes, and UAV terminals adopt an adaptive communication link. In environments with weak network signals, the edge nodes can independently complete local task scheduling to ensure operational continuity.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the cloud-edge-device collaborative maritime unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) automatic operation system described in this invention, the system is applicable to various scenarios such as offshore wind power operation and maintenance, maritime search and rescue, marine environmental monitoring, and maritime inspection, and can realize an intelligent closed loop from target identification to operation execution.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the cloud-edge-device collaborative maritime unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) automatic operation system described in this invention, the UAV terminal's float is designed through hydrodynamic optimization to reduce flight resistance while ensuring buoyancy, and works with the propulsion device to achieve precise water surface steering and speed regulation.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. Achieve multimodal operation capabilities: The UAV terminal integrates aerial flight, sea take-off and landing, and water navigation functions, breaking down the separation between aerial and water operations and significantly shortening the operation cycle.

[0017] 2. Enhanced sea state adaptability: The use of lightweight composite materials and wave-resistant structural design enables stable operation in sea state 3, compensating for the operational blind spots of traditional equipment.

[0018] 3. Optimize collaborative control efficiency. Through a cloud-edge-device collaborative architecture, reduce data transmission latency, enable parallel processing of multiple tasks, and improve the accuracy and real-time performance of operations.

[0019] 4. Expanding application scenarios, it can be widely used in offshore wind power operation and maintenance, maritime search and rescue, marine environmental monitoring and other fields, providing technical support for the national strategy of building a maritime power. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below.

[0021] This invention provides a cloud-edge-device collaborative automatic operation system for marine unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to solve the problems of poor coordination, insufficient accuracy, and weak adaptability to sea conditions in traditional marine UAV operations.

[0022] Example 1 A cloud-edge-device collaborative automated operation system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at sea includes a cloud server, edge nodes, and UAV terminals.

[0023] 1. UAV terminal configuration The UAV terminal utilizes a hexacoach flight platform with two detachable, streamlined floats mounted on the bottom. These floats are made of carbon fiber composite material, reducing weight by 40% compared to traditional metal floats. The floats are integrated with a small electric propulsion unit, which, combined with a vector control module, enables speed adjustment from 0-2 m / s on the water surface and precise 360° turning. The UAV terminal is equipped with an onboard computing unit connected to a vision camera and a robotic arm. The camera's target recognition accuracy is ≥95%, and the robotic arm's repeatability is ±0.5 mm, allowing it to perform tasks such as bolt tightening, component cleaning, and water sampling. The fuselage frame employs a finite element analysis-optimized design, and the motor and battery compartments feature a double-layered waterproof seal, enabling stable takeoff and landing in sea state 3. The flight endurance is ≥40 minutes, and the water surface endurance is ≥2 hours.

[0024] 2. Edge node deployment Edge nodes are deployed at shore-based control stations in offshore wind farms, equipped with industrial-grade computers and communication modules. They receive flight data, operational images, and sea state data uploaded by UAV terminals in real time, perform localized processing, upload the processing results to the cloud server, and receive cloud commands to send to the UAV terminals. When network signals are interrupted, edge nodes can independently complete local task scheduling and control the UAV terminals to complete operational tasks.

[0025] 3. Cloud server functionality The cloud server is deployed in a remote data center, equipped with a task management platform and big data storage module. It receives operational data uploaded from multiple edge nodes, establishes operational models, and continuously iterates and optimizes them. Based on the operation and maintenance needs of offshore wind farms, the cloud server formulates global inspection tasks, decomposes the tasks into sub-tasks, and distributes them to edge nodes to enable collaborative operations of multiple drone terminals.

[0026] 4. Work Process In offshore wind power operation and maintenance scenarios, the cloud server issues inspection tasks to edge nodes; the edge nodes instruct drone terminals to take off and complete aerial inspections of the wind turbines, with visual cameras identifying and locating fault points; the drone terminals land on the sea surface and navigate to the fault point using a water propulsion device; the robotic arm, assisted by force sensors and visual guidance components, cleans and inspects the faulty components; the operation data is uploaded to the edge nodes and the cloud server in real time, generating an operation and maintenance report. The entire operation process takes ≤1 hour, which is more than 50% shorter than traditional ship-based operation and maintenance methods.

[0027] Example 2 In maritime search and rescue scenarios, after receiving a search and rescue request, the cloud server issues a task to edge nodes near the search and rescue area. The edge nodes then instruct drone terminals to take off, quickly covering a large area of ​​sea, with visual cameras identifying the location of the person in the water. The drone terminal lands on the sea surface, navigates to the target location, and its robotic arm deploys rescue equipment. Simultaneously, the target location and operational data are uploaded to the cloud, guiding rescue vessels to arrive quickly. The entire search and rescue response time is ≤15 minutes, significantly improving search and rescue efficiency.

[0028] The above specific embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical solutions of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made without departing from the technical principles and inventive concept of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cloud-edge-device collaborative automated operation system for marine unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), characterized in that, It includes a cloud server, edge nodes, and drone terminals. The cloud server is communicatively connected to the edge nodes, and the edge nodes are communicatively connected to the drone terminals. The drone terminals have multimodal operation capabilities, including aerial flight, sea take-off and landing, and water navigation.

2. The cloud-edge-device collaborative automated operation system for marine unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that, The UAV terminal includes a multi-rotor flight platform, a detachable streamlined float, a water surface propulsion device, a robotic arm operation unit, and an onboard computing unit; the float is made of carbon fiber composite material and is integrated with the propulsion device and installed at the bottom of the flight platform.

3. The cloud-edge-device collaborative automated operation system for marine unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cloud server is configured with a task management module and a data storage module, which are used to receive job data uploaded by edge nodes, perform global task planning, job model training and optimization, and issue task instructions to edge nodes.

4. The cloud-edge-device collaborative automated operation system for marine unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 3, characterized in that, The edge nodes are deployed on shore-based or platform bases near the offshore operation area, and are equipped with real-time data processing modules and command forwarding modules. They are used to receive sensor data from the UAV terminal and perform localized processing, while receiving commands from the cloud server and sending them to the UAV terminal.

5. A cloud-edge-device collaborative automated operation system for marine unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 4, characterized in that, The onboard computing unit of the UAV terminal works in collaboration with edge nodes and cloud servers to process real-time data on flight attitude adjustment, target recognition, and robotic arm operation, enabling parallel processing of multiple tasks.

6. A cloud-edge-device collaborative automated operation system for marine unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 5, characterized in that, The robotic arm operating unit is equipped with force sensors and vision guidance components to compensate for the machine body sway error and to achieve precision operations such as bolt tightening, component grasping, and life-saving equipment deployment.

7. A cloud-edge-device collaborative automated operation system for marine unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 6, characterized in that, The UAV terminal's fuselage frame is designed to withstand waves, and key parts are equipped with waterproof sealing structures, enabling it to stably complete take-off, landing, and navigation operations in sea state 3.

8. A cloud-edge-device collaborative automated operation system for marine unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cloud server, edge nodes, and drone terminals are connected by an adaptive communication link. In environments with weak network signals, the edge nodes can independently complete local task scheduling to ensure operational continuity.

9. A cloud-edge-device collaborative automated operation system for marine unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 8, characterized in that, The system is applicable to various scenarios such as offshore wind power operation and maintenance, maritime search and rescue, marine environmental monitoring, and maritime inspection, and can realize an intelligent closed loop from target identification to operation execution.

10. A cloud-edge-device collaborative automated operation system for marine unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 9, characterized in that, The pontoon of the UAV terminal is designed with hydrodynamic optimization to reduce flight resistance while ensuring buoyancy, and works with the propulsion device to achieve precise turning and speed regulation on the water surface.