Mooring unmanned aerial vehicle ground station based on energy storage

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of mooring unmanned aerial vehicles, in particular to a mooring unmanned aerial vehicle ground station based on energy storage, which comprises an energy storage module and a detection module, the energy storage module comprises a plurality of battery monomers connected in series, the energy storage module is provided with a charging interface and a discharging interface, and the energy storage module directly outputs high-voltage direct current through the discharging interface. The power supply is used for supplying power to the mooring unmanned aerial vehicle; and the detection module is used for detecting whether the output is abnormal. The energy storage module is formed by directly connecting a plurality of single batteries in series, can output direct-current high voltage, and has the characteristics of simple structure, light weight, low cost, high efficiency and high output power.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of tethered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, specifically to a tethered UAV ground station based on energy storage. Background Technology

[0002] Tethered drones are a new type of drone that combines a drone with a tethering cable. Unlike ordinary drones, they are powered directly from a ground power source, solving the drone's endurance problem. While ground power uses AC mains power, it is susceptible to sudden power outages. Utility model patent CN220985372U discloses a UPS power supply system for a drone ground station. When the external power supply fluctuates, a first execution module disconnects the external power supply path, and a second execution module connects the energy storage output module to the load, supplying power to the load within the ground station through the energy storage output module. The energy storage output module includes an energy storage unit, an inverter unit, a transformer unit, and a filter unit. The transformer unit is a step-up transformer used to boost the voltage of the energy storage unit's output power (after inversion by the inverter unit) to 220V, ensuring the normal operation of the drone ground station equipment. Therefore, this UPS power supply system for a drone ground station is primarily used to power other loads within the drone ground station, rather than specifically for tethered drones.

[0003] The invention patent with publication number CN118529262A discloses a multimodal tethered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system and flight method. Regardless of whether the UAV is flying in tethered lighting and reconnaissance mode, tethered reconnaissance mode, or single-soldier reconnaissance mode, the remaining single-soldier battery or tethered battery is charged in the battery compartment of the tethered chassis, which also serves as the UPS power supply for the chassis, eliminating the need for an additional UPS backup power supply. The ground station is used for communication with the UAV. The tethered chassis converts AC power to high-voltage DC power for transmission to the UAV. Currently, this is the most common method, requiring an inverter to convert AC to DC and a boost circuit to increase the voltage. This results in complex circuit modules, leading to a larger overall size and weight. Each conversion step has conversion efficiency issues, resulting in some power loss. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a tethered drone ground station based on energy storage to solve the power supply problem of tethered drones.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] The energy storage-based tethered drone ground station includes an energy storage module and a detection module. The energy storage module consists of multiple battery cells connected in series. The energy storage module is equipped with a charging interface and a discharging interface. The energy storage module directly outputs high-voltage DC power through the discharging interface to power the tethered drone. The detection module is used to detect whether there are any abnormalities in the output.

[0007] Furthermore, the number of battery cells is greater than 200.

[0008] Furthermore, the energy storage module directly outputs DC600V to 1500V through the discharge interface.

[0009] Furthermore, the number of individual battery cells is 288.

[0010] Furthermore, each of the battery cells is divided into 12 modules, with the battery cells in each module distributed longitudinally and the modules distributed transversely.

[0011] Furthermore, the battery cell uses a 16Ah solid-state lithium-ion cell.

[0012] Furthermore, each module is connected to a voltage acquisition board, and each voltage acquisition board is connected to the BMS board.

[0013] Furthermore, the positive terminal of the energy storage module is connected to the main output socket via a first cable, and the negative terminal of the energy storage module is connected to the main output socket via a second cable. The main output socket has the discharge interface. A positive DC contactor is connected in series on the first cable, and a negative DC contactor is connected in series on the second cable. Both the positive and negative DC contactors are connected to the BMS board.

[0014] Furthermore, the tethered UAV ground station is a mobile tricycle or four-wheeled vehicle, and the energy storage module and detection module are both housed in a chassis, which is mounted on the body of the tricycle or four-wheeled vehicle.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0016] This invention employs an energy storage-type ground station to power tethered drones, replacing existing generators or direct mains power supply methods. The energy storage module uses multiple battery cells connected in series to increase voltage, eliminating the need for complex circuit structures such as inverters and boost converters. The energy storage module's discharge interface outputs the required high-voltage DC power, which is then supplied to the tethered battery on the drone via a tether cable. The voltage is then stepped down by a step-down unit in the tethered battery module before being supplied to the drone. The energy storage module, composed of multiple battery cells connected in series, has a simple structure, is lightweight, low-cost, improves battery discharge efficiency, and provides greater output power.

[0017] Furthermore, the tethered drone ground station will be designed as a mobile tricycle or quadricycle, making it convenient and flexible to use. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a tethered drone ground station based on energy storage;

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial view in the image;

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Another partial view in the image;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the battery cells in the energy storage module.

[0022] 1. Battery cell; 2. Voltage acquisition board; 3. RS485 current module; 4. BMS board; 5. Main output socket; 6. Negative DC contactor; 7. Positive DC contactor; 8. Module. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0024] Embodiments of this utility model:

[0025] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the tethered drone ground station based on energy storage includes an energy storage module and a detection module. The energy storage module includes multiple battery cells 1 connected in series. The energy storage module is equipped with a charging interface and a discharging interface. The energy storage module directly outputs high-voltage DC power through the discharging interface, with an output of DC600V to 1500V, which is used to power the tethered drone. The detection module is used to detect whether there are any abnormalities in the output.

[0026] In this embodiment, the number of battery cells 1 is 288 strings, and battery cells 1 are 16Ah solid lithium-ion cells. Figure 4 As shown, each battery cell 1 is divided into 12 modules 8. The battery cells 1 in each module 8 are arranged longitudinally, and the modules 8 are arranged laterally. The modules 8 are arranged in a single layer and placed inside the chassis. The energy storage module with 288 battery cells 1 can output a voltage of approximately 1000V. In other embodiments, the number of batteries connected in series is adjusted according to the required voltage.

[0027] The energy storage module uses multiple battery cells connected in series to increase voltage, eliminating the need for complex circuit structures such as inverters and boost converters. The module's discharge interface outputs high-voltage DC power, which is supplied to the tethered battery on the tethered drone via a tethered cable. The voltage is then stepped down by a buck unit within the tethered battery module before being supplied to the drone. The energy storage module is simple in structure, lightweight, low in cost, and improves battery discharge efficiency.

[0028] Each module 8 is connected to a voltage acquisition board 2, and each voltage acquisition board 2 is connected to the BMS board 4.

[0029] The main positive terminal of the energy storage module is connected to the main output socket 5 via a first cable, and the main negative terminal of the energy storage module is connected to the main output socket 5 via a second cable. The main output socket 5 has the aforementioned discharge interface. In use, one end of the tethered drone's cable is plugged into the discharge interface via an aviation connector, making it convenient to use. An RS485 current module 3 is also installed on the main circuit to collect current signals and transmit them to the BMS board 4.

[0030] A positive DC contactor 7 is connected in series on the first cable, and a negative DC contactor 6 is connected in series on the second cable. Both the positive DC contactor 7 and the negative DC contactor 6 are connected to the BMS board 4. In case of abnormality, the power can be cut off to ensure safety.

[0031] The tethered UAV ground station is a mobile tricycle or quadricycle. The energy storage module and detection module are both housed in a chassis, which is mounted on the body of the tricycle or quadricycle.

[0032] The driving and steering components of the tricycle are existing technologies, enabling it to move and steer normally. It is essentially a mobile energy storage device, which is convenient and flexible to use. It can be used easily in places where there is no mains power or it is inconvenient to use mains power. When the drone finishes its work or the energy storage module shows that the power is low, the energy storage module can be charged in time. There can be more than one charging interface, such as a mains power charging interface and a solar power charging interface. The mains power charging interface can be connected to the mains power or charged using a generator.

[0033] A display screen is designed on one side of the chassis. The display module can show the output voltage and current of the energy storage module, as well as the remaining battery power and the charging process.

[0034] This utility model discloses an energy storage-based tethered drone ground station. It can be designed as a mobile cart or placed directly on an existing tricycle, achieving flexible use without site restrictions. If connecting to mains power is inconvenient, it also eliminates the problem of sudden power outages due to loose or disconnected mains plugs. Compared to using a generator to power the tethered drone on-site, this energy storage-based ground station has the ability to provide significantly higher instantaneous power, meeting the drone's high instantaneous power demands. For example, a 20kW energy storage module can provide 30kW or even higher instantaneous power, while a 20kW rated generator can only provide a maximum of 20kW. To meet the drone's high instantaneous power requirements, the generator would need to be very large, making it inconvenient to use.

Claims

1. An energy storage based tethered unmanned aerial vehicle ground station, characterized in that: The energy storage module includes a plurality of battery monomers connected in series, and the energy storage module is provided with a charging interface and a discharging interface.

2. The energy storage based tethered unmanned aerial vehicle ground station of claim 1, wherein: The number of the battery monomers is greater than 200.

3. The energy storage based tethered unmanned aerial vehicle ground station of claim 2, wherein: The energy storage module directly outputs DC 600V to 1500V through the discharging interface.

4. The energy storage based tethered unmanned aircraft ground station of claim 2, wherein: The number of the battery monomers is 288.

5. The energy storage based tethered unmanned aerial vehicle ground station of claim 4, wherein: Each of the battery monomers is divided into 12 modules, and the battery monomers in each module are distributed along the longitudinal direction in sequence, and the modules are distributed along the transverse direction in sequence.

6. The energy storage based tethered unmanned aircraft ground station of claim 4, wherein: The battery monomers adopt 16Ah solid-state lithium ion cells.

7. The energy storage based tethered unmanned aircraft ground station of claim 4, wherein: Each of the modules is connected with a voltage acquisition board, and each of the voltage acquisition boards is connected with a BMS board.

8. The energy storage based tethered unmanned aircraft ground station of claim 7, wherein: The total positive pole of the energy storage module is connected to a main output socket through a first cable, the total negative pole of the energy storage module is connected to the main output socket through a second cable, the main output socket has the discharging interface, a positive direct current contactor is connected in series on the first cable, a negative direct current contactor is connected in series on the second cable, and the positive direct current contactor and the negative direct current contactor are connected with the BMS board.

9. The energy storage based tethered unmanned aircraft ground station of claim 1, wherein: The tethered unmanned aerial vehicle ground station is a movable three-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle, and the energy storage module and the detection module are arranged in a case, and the case is arranged on the vehicle body of the three-wheeled vehicle or the four-wheeled vehicle.

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