Agricultural fuel cell aircraft

Abstract

To provide an agricultural fuel cell aircraft that can suppress the deterioration of the fuel cell even when pesticides are mixed into the air. [Solution] The agricultural fuel cell aircraft 10 comprises a fuel cell 16, a hydrogen supply unit 13 that supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell 16, an oxygen supply unit 11 that supplies oxygen from the atmosphere to the fuel cell 16, a detection sensor 12 that detects chemicals in the atmosphere, a valve 15 that opens and closes the flow of hydrogen from the hydrogen supply unit 13 to the oxygen supply unit 11, a chemical spraying unit 19 that sprays chemicals into the atmosphere, a motor 17 driven by electricity generated by the fuel cell 16, and a rotor blade 18 that rotates with the motor 17. When the detection sensor 12 detects a chemical amount exceeding a predetermined threshold, the valve 15 is opened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an agricultural fuel cell aircraft.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a drone equipped with a pesticide spraying device and a fuel cell.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there has been a problem that the sprayed pesticide is taken in as oxygen gas, leading to deterioration of the fuel cell.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An agricultural fuel cell aircraft according to one embodiment detects the intake amount of pesticides in the atmosphere supplied to the fuel cell with a sensor, and refluxes hydrogen to the atmosphere side according to the amount.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the agricultural fuel cell aircraft of the present disclosure, deterioration of the fuel cell can be suppressed even when pesticides are mixed in the air.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an agricultural fuel cell aircraft according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of the flight of an agricultural fuel cell aircraft according to Embodiment 1.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Embodiment 1 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an agricultural fuel cell aircraft according to Embodiment 1. In Figure 1, the agricultural fuel cell aircraft 10 includes an oxygen supply unit 11, a detection sensor 12, a hydrogen supply unit 13, a control unit 14, a valve 15, an FC power generation unit 16, a motor 17, a rotor blade 18, and a pesticide spraying unit 19.

[0009] The oxygen supply unit 11 supplies oxygen-containing air from the outside to the FC power generation unit 16. For example, the oxygen supply unit 11 preferably has a vent.

[0010] The detection sensor 12 detects the amount of pesticide contained in the air supplied from the oxygen supply unit 11 to the FC power generation unit 16.

[0011] The hydrogen supply unit 13 supplies hydrogen to the FC power generation unit 16. For example, the hydrogen supply unit 13 preferably includes a hydrogen tank and a flow control valve.

[0012] The control unit 14 opens the valve 15 when the amount of pesticide detected by the detection sensor 12 exceeds a predetermined threshold. The control unit 14 may also set a path for reverse hydrogen injection and predict the optimal amount of hydrogen reverse injection to release the pesticide based on the degree of cell deterioration, and provide feedback control each time.

[0013] Valve 15 is a valve that opens and closes the piping that connects the hydrogen supply unit 13 to the oxygen supply unit 11, according to the instructions of the control unit 14.

[0014] The FC power generation unit 16 is a fuel cell that generates electricity by chemically reacting hydrogen and oxygen. The FC power generation unit 16 supplies the generated electricity to the detection sensor 12, the control unit 14, the motor 17, and the chemical spraying unit 19.

[0015] The motor 17 uses the electricity generated by the fuel cell power generation unit 16 to rotate the rotor blade 18. The rotary wing 18 generates lift by rotating.

[0016] The chemical spraying unit 19 sprays chemicals (e.g., agricultural chemicals) into the air. For example, the chemical spraying unit 19 preferably includes a chemical tank for storing the chemicals, a chemical nozzle for ejecting the chemicals, and a pump for supplying the chemicals from the chemical tank to the chemical nozzle using electricity.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the flight of the fuel cell aircraft for agriculture according to Embodiment 1. In FIG. 2, first, the fuel cell aircraft for agriculture 10 takes off from the state (a) on the ground.

[0018] And in the state (b) where a predetermined altitude is reached, the fuel cell aircraft for agriculture 10 sprays agricultural chemicals.

[0019] Here, as shown in the state (c), the sprayed agricultural chemicals are mixed into the air, and if the fuel cell aircraft for agriculture 10 inhales this air and uses it for power generation of the fuel cell, the fuel cell will deteriorate. As a result, as shown in the state (d), the altitude of the fuel cell aircraft for agriculture 10 decreases, and finally, as shown in the state (e), it will make an emergency landing.

[0020] The fuel cell aircraft for agriculture of the present disclosure, in this state (c), detects the inhalation amount of agricultural chemicals with a sensor and refluxes hydrogen according to the amount. Since hydrogen flows outwards under negative pressure, it is possible to temporarily remove the air containing agricultural chemicals.

[0021] Thus, according to the fuel cell aircraft for agriculture of Embodiment 1, even when agricultural chemicals are mixed into the air, deterioration of the fuel cell can be suppressed.

[0022] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0023] 10 Fuel cell aircraft for agriculture 11 Oxygen supply unit 12 detection sensors 13. Hydrogen Supply Department 14 Control Unit 15 valves 16 FC Power Generation Section 17 Motor 18 rotor blades 19. Pesticide application section

Claims

1. Fuel cells and A hydrogen supply unit that supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell, An oxygen supply unit that supplies oxygen from the atmosphere to the fuel cell, A detection sensor for detecting the aforementioned chemical in the air, A valve for opening and closing the flow of hydrogen from the hydrogen supply unit to the oxygen supply unit, A chemical spraying unit that sprays chemicals into the atmosphere, A motor driven by electricity generated by the aforementioned fuel cell, The system comprises a rotor blade that rotates using the aforementioned motor, An agricultural fuel cell aircraft that opens the valve when the detection sensor detects a drug amount exceeding a predetermined threshold.

2. The agricultural fuel cell aircraft according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that sets a path for opening the valve, predicts the optimal amount of hydrogen reverse injection for releasing the agent based on the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell, and performs feedback control.

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