Surface Weather Drone

Abstract

Surface meteorological drone dedicated to meteorological observation characterized in that it comprises: - A meteorological radar (1) X band (type "airborne or maritime meteorological") or S, L band ("terrestrial meteorological" type) with or without pulse compression, but with Doppler processing to eliminate parasitic echoes. - A radar antenna which is fixed to a toothed crown associated with a servo for roll stabilization (2). - The whole is enclosed under a radome (3) made of composite permeable to radio frequency. - The radome is fixed to the mast of the drone by means of a transmission system (4) which allows a servo on the yaw axis (Z). Figure to be published with the abstract: figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Surface meteorological drone

[0001] Meteorological measurement at sea is incomplete and satellite coverage is partial. The object of this invention is to use a surface maritime vehicle as a vector for meteorological observation and monitoring.

[0002] This patent does not relate to the structure of the drone itself or to its guidance system, making it autonomous, but to the fact that its payload is a means of meteorological measurements, composed of a meteorological radar.

[0003] This surface drone makes it possible to monitor and track the most dangerous weather events remotely and safely before they hit land in order to compensate for the lack of weather data at sea.

[0004] Remotely controlled by satellite link and / or with a pre-programmed navigation plan, it can manage collision trajectories in complete autonomy thanks to its numerous sensors.

[0005] This drone has the added value of carrying a meteorological radar in X, S or L Band compatible in mass and volume with its carrier, in addition it is gyrostabilized on the X, Y and Z axes to limit the influence of rolling and pitching,

[0006] The signal processing integrated into the radar will allow, thanks to the Doppler effect, the elimination of parasitic echoes due to waves. The yaw angle on the Z axis is controllable so as to be able to make lateral swathes and thus follow an event without facing it but also improve the radar processing by eliminating the drone's own speed.

[0007] Thanks to its inertial unit hybridized with a GNSS system based on the SBAS system, the qualification in height and wavelength of the waves will be possible, while giving a local verticality reference to the weather radar antenna.

[0008] An automatic winch survey makes it possible to measure the temperature of the water column under the drone in order to evaluate the quantity of energy available to power an atmospheric phenomenon.

[0009] [Fig.l] describes a surface meteorological drone.

[0010] Technical point No. 1: Meteorological observation device includes: a. A weather radar (1) X band (airborne meteorological type) or S, L band (terrestrial meteorological type) with or without pulse compression, but with Doppler processing to eliminate parasitic echoes. b. The radar antenna is fixed to a toothed crown associated with a servo for roll stabilization (2). c. The whole is enclosed under a radome (3) made of composite permeable to radio frequency. d. The radome is attached to the drone mast via a transmission system (4) which allows control on the yaw axis (Z).

[0011] Technical point no. 2: Wind acquisition is done according to WMO rules, namely: a. The sensor is an ultrasonic anemometer (5a) for wind direction and force. b. It is done at the top of the mast in order to limit the influence of nearby structures, the whole thing is topped with a lightning rod (5b) with launching into the sea. c. Averages calculated over 10-minute intervals as for forecasting. d. It is compensated for the drone's own speed vector.

[0012] Technical point No. 3: The measurement of the static pressure will be made on the mast by means of 4 holes (6) distributed all around the mast so as to minimize the effect of the wind on the measurement and thus to balance the air flow pressures. This measurement will be compensated for the height of the measurement.

[0013] Technical point no. 4: A winch (7a) equipped with a bathymetric probe (7b) will make it possible to measure: a. Pressure and therefore depth b. Sea water temperature c. Salinity.

[0014] Technical point no. 5: An on-board data concentrator will collect the various measurements in order to send them via the Iridium System (registered trademark) to a national concentrator in standardized format.

[0015] Technical point no. 6: An inertial unit (8a) hybridized with a GNSS / SBAS system (8b) will allow: a. To compensate the radar antenna for roll and pitch up to sea states of force 6 to 8. b. To date and locate each measurement point. c. To allow the calculation of the ocean current vector. d. To allow the calculation of the wind vector. e. To enable the measurement of the state of the sea.

[0016] Technical point no. 7: The float is stable enough to allow for: a. A load of 10 to 15 kg at the end of a mast whose radar antenna height must not be less than 4.7 m in order to allow measurement up to sea states force 7 or 8. b. The drone's roll and pitch rate does not exceed 20° / sec. c. It has an autonomy of at least 15 days at a speed of 4 knots.

[0017] Technical point no. 8: The temperature and humidity are measured under shelters (9).

Claims

Claims

1. Surface meteorological drone dedicated to meteorological observation characterized in that it comprises: a. A weather radar (1) X band (airborne weather type) or S, L band (land weather type) with or without pulse compression, but with Doppler processing to eliminate unwanted echoes. b. The radar antenna is fixed to a toothed crown associated with a servo (2) for roll stabilization along the (X) axis. c. The whole is enclosed under a radome (3) made of composite permeable to radio frequency. d. The radome is attached to the drone mast via a transmission system (4) which allows control on the yaw axis (Z).

2. Surface meteorological drone dedicated to meteorological observation according to claim No. 1 characterized in that the acquisition of the wind is done according to the rules of the WMO, namely: a. The sensor is an ultrasonic anemometer (5a) for the direction and force of the wind. b. It is done at the top of a mast in order to limit the influence of nearby structures, the whole is surmounted by a lightning rod (5b) with launching into the sea. c. Averages calculated over 10-minute intervals as for the forecast. d. It is compensated for the speed vector specific to the drone.

3. Surface meteorological drone dedicated to meteorological observation according to claim 2, characterized in that the measurement of the static pressure will be made on the mast by means of 4 holes (6) distributed all around the mast so as to minimize the effect of the wind on the measurement and thus to balance the air flow pressures. This measurement will be compensated for the height of the measurement.

4. Surface meteorological drone dedicated to meteorological observation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a winch (7a) equipped with a bathymetric probe (7b) will allow the measurement of: a. Pressure and therefore depth b. Sea water temperature c. Salinity.

5. Surface meteorological drone dedicated to meteorological observation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an on-board data concentrator will collect the various measurements in order to send them via the Iridium system (registered trademark) to a national concentrator in standardized format.

6. Surface meteorological drone dedicated to meteorological observation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inertial unit (8a) hybridized to a GNSS / SBAS system (8b) will allow: a. To compensate the radar antenna for roll and pitch up to sea states of force 6 to 8. b. To date and locate each measurement point. cd. To allow the calculation of the ocean current vector. To allow the calculation of the wind vector. e. To allow the measurement of the sea state.

7. Surface meteorological drone dedicated to meteorological observation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a float which is stable enough to allow: a. A load of 10 to 15 kg at the end of a mast whose radar antenna height must not be less than 4.7 m in order to allow measurement up to sea states force 7 or 8. b. The roll and pitch rate of the drone does not exceed 20° / sec. c. It has an autonomy of at least 15 days at a speed of 4 knots.

8. Surface meteorological drone dedicated to meteorological observation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature and humidity are measured under shelters (9).

Images