Rotary-wing aircraft

Abstract

This specification provides a rotary-wing aircraft that can obtain power from a DC magnetic field during flight. [Solution] The rotary-wing aircraft disclosed herein comprises a rotor that generates lift, a battery, a conductor provided on the rotor and connected to the battery, and a rectifier that adjusts the flow of current generated in the conductor by electromagnetic induction when the rotor rotates in a magnetic field to one direction. The rotary-wing aircraft disclosed herein has a conductor on the rotor, and the rotation of the rotor in a magnetic field generates an electric current in the conductor. Therefore, power can be obtained and the battery can be charged even when flying in a DC magnetic field.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to rotary-wing aircraft. The rotary-wing aircraft in this specification includes so-called drones that fly unmanned, in addition to manned flying objects such as helicopters and autogyros.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Documents 1-3 disclose flying objects that drive a motor with electricity to obtain lift. The flying object has a coil and drives the motor with the current generated in the coil by electromagnetic induction while flying in an alternating magnetic field. Patent Documents 1-3 obtain power by using the alternating magnetic field generated by the alternating current flowing through the overhead wire when flying near the overhead wire.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since the flying objects of Patent Documents 1-3 obtain power by using an alternating magnetic field, they cannot obtain power even when flying in a direct current magnetic field. This specification focuses on the fact that the rotor of a rotary-wing aircraft is always rotating during flight, and provides a rotary-wing aircraft that can obtain power from a direct current magnetic field during flight.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The rotary-wing aircraft disclosed herein comprises a rotor for generating lift, a battery, a conductor provided on the rotor and connected to the battery, and a rectifier for adjusting the flow of current generated in the conductor by electromagnetic induction when the rotor rotates in a magnetic field to one direction.

[0006] The rotary-wing aircraft disclosed herein is equipped with conductors in its rotor, and the rotation of the rotor in a magnetic field generates an electric current in the conductors. Therefore, power can be obtained and the battery charged even when flying in a DC magnetic field. The conductors provided on the rotating rotor and conductors fixed elsewhere only need to be electrically connected, for example, via slip rings.

[0007] Details of the technology disclosed herein and further improvements are described in the following "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention". [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of the rotary-wing machine of the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the electrical connection relationship between the wires and the battery. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The rotary-wing aircraft 10 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a plan view of the rotary-wing aircraft 10. The X and Y axes of the coordinate system in the figure represent the front-rear and rear-lateral directions of the rotary-wing aircraft 10, respectively. The +Z direction represents the vertically upward direction.

[0010] The rotary-wing aircraft 10 is a so-called drone that flies by remote control. The rotary-wing aircraft 10 consists of a main body 11, four rotors 12, and a battery 15.

[0011] The rotary-wing aircraft 10 generates lift with four rotors 12 to fly. The four rotors 12 are each located at one of the four corners of the main body 11. The rotors 12 are driven by motors 13. In other words, the rotary-wing aircraft 10 is an electric drone. The motors 13 are powered by a battery 15. The rotary-wing aircraft 10 is equipped with a converter and the like that converts the power from the battery 15 into power suitable for driving the motors 13, but these are not shown in the illustration.

[0012] A wire 14 is embedded in the rotor 12. More precisely, the wire 14 is embedded in the blades of the rotor 12. The wire 14 extends along the longitudinal direction of the blade. A wire 14 is embedded in each of the four rotors 12. One end of each wire 14 is connected to the positive terminal of the battery 15, and the other end is connected to the negative terminal of the battery 15.

[0013] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical connection relationship between the conductor 14 and the battery 15. Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the rotor 12 and motor 13 cut along the axis of the rotor 12b's rotation shaft. Note that the housing of the motor 13 is omitted from the illustration in Figure 2. Also, as mentioned earlier, the battery 15 is connected to the motor 13 via a converter, but the converter and its wiring are omitted from the illustration.

[0014] The rotation axis 12b of the rotor 12 is also the main shaft of the motor 13. In other words, the rotor magnet 31 of the motor 13 is mounted on the rotation axis 12b of the rotor 12, and the stator electromagnet 32 ​​is positioned outside the rotor magnet 31. The stator electromagnet 32 ​​is fixed to a housing (not shown). The rotation axis 12b is rotatably supported in the housing (not shown) via a bearing 30.

[0015] As mentioned earlier, the conductor 14 is embedded in the blade 12a of the rotor 12. The conductor 14 extends from the base of the blade 12a along the longitudinal direction of the blade 12a, folds back at the tip of the blade 12a, and returns to the base of the blade 12a. In other words, the conductor 14 forms a coil.

[0016] The conductor 14 is electrically connected to the battery 15 via the slip ring 20 and internal wiring 25a and 25b. The slip ring 20 consists of rings 21a and 21b and brushes 22a and 22b. Rings 21a and 21b are mounted on the rotating shaft 12b and are conductive. Rings 21a and 21b encircle the outer circumference of the rotating shaft 12b. One end of the conductor 14 is connected to ring 21a and the other end is connected to ring 21b.

[0017] A conductive brush 22a is in contact with the outer surface of ring 21a, and a conductive brush 22b is in contact with the outer surface of ring 21b. Brushes 22a and 22b are supported by a housing (not shown). Brush 22a is connected to the positive terminal of battery 15 by internal wiring 25a, and brush 22b is connected to the negative terminal of battery 15 by internal wiring 25b. A diode 26 is connected to internal wiring 25a. The diode 26 allows current to pass from the conductor 14 to the positive terminal of battery 15, but does not allow current to pass in the reverse direction.

[0018] The rings 21a (21b) and brushes 22a (22b) of the slip ring 20 are always in contact. In other words, the brushes 22a (22b) are always electrically conductive while allowing the rotation of the rings 21a (21b). That is, even when the rotor 12 rotates, the electrical connection between the conductor 14 and the battery 15 is maintained.

[0019] The effects of the wire 14 attached to the rotor 12 are explained below. While the rotorcraft 10 is flying within a magnetic field, the rotor 12 rotates within the magnetic field. That is, the wire 14 moves within the magnetic field. An electric current is generated in the wire moving within the magnetic field due to electromagnetic induction. The current is restricted to flow in one direction by the diode 26. Therefore, the current generated by electromagnetic induction flows to the positive electrode of the battery 15, and the battery 15 is charged. Because the wire 14 is moving, an electric current is generated in the wire 14 due to electromagnetic induction even while the rotorcraft 10 is flying within a static magnetic field (DC magnetic field), and the battery 15 is charged. An electric current is also generated in the wire 14 due to electromagnetic induction while flying within an AC magnetic field, and the battery 15 is charged.

[0020] As described above, when the rotary wing aircraft 10 is flying in an alternating magnetic field or a direct current magnetic field, the battery 15 can be charged with the current generated by the electromagnetic induction effect. The rotary wing aircraft 10 of the embodiment is an electric drone, and even a battery with a relatively small capacity can fly for a long time in a magnetic field. The rotary wing aircraft 10 is suitable for an electric drone that inspects facilities at a facility that generates a magnetic field (for example, near a substation or a transmission line).

[0021] Points to note regarding the technology described in the embodiment are described. The diode 26 functions as a rectifier that adjusts (limits) the direction of the current flowing through the conducting wire 14 to one direction (the direction in which the current heads towards the positive electrode of the battery). Instead of the diode 26, a rectifier that adjusts the direction of the current so that the current generated in the conducting wire 14 always flows to the positive electrode of the battery 15 may be employed. Since rectifiers are well known, detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0022] The rotary wing aircraft 10 of the embodiment includes a plurality of rotors 12, and conducting wires are provided on all the rotors. It is sufficient if conducting wires are provided on at least one rotor. The conductor provided on the rotor does not have to be a conducting wire. For example, it is sufficient if an elongated metal plate is provided on the rotor. The conductor provided on the rotor does not have to be a metal as long as it is a material having conductivity.

[0023] Although the rotary wing aircraft 10 of the embodiment is an electric drone, the technology described in the embodiment can also be applied to rotary wing aircraft other than electric drones. The technology of the embodiment is applicable to, for example, manned helicopters and gyroplanes. Even engine-powered helicopters and gyroplanes carry a battery as a power source for driving an electric device, and the technology of the embodiment can charge that battery.

[0024] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technologies described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives itself constitutes technical usefulness. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 10: Rotary-wing aircraft 11: Main body 12: Rotor 12a: Blades 12b: Rotating shaft 13: Motor 14: Wires 15: Battery 20: Slip rings 21a, 21b: Rings 22a, 22b: Brushes 25a, 25b: Internal wiring of the main body 26: Diode (rectifier) ​​30: Bearings 31: Rotor magnets 32: Stator electromagnet

Claims

[Claim 1] A rotor that generates lift, Battery and A conductor provided in the rotor and connected to the battery, A rectifier that adjusts the flow of current generated in the conductor by electromagnetic induction when the rotor rotates in a magnetic field to one direction, A rotary-wing aircraft equipped with this feature.

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