System and method for starting a sensorless motor - Patents.com

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods are for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), at least one sensorless motor of the UAV, the sensorless motor including a set of windings and a rotor, at least one propeller connected to the at least one sensorless motor, and a microcontroller in communication with the at least one sensorless motor, wherein the microcontroller is configured to measure a rotational speed of the at least one propeller, measure a rotational direction of the at least one propeller, provide an output for stopping the at least one propeller, and provide an output for starting the at least one propeller.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Embodiments relate generally to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and more particularly to motors for UAVs.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 945,813, filed December 9, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. [Background technology]

[0003] Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft, are light aircraft capable of controlled, sustained flight. UAVs may associate with a ground operator for two-way communications. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An embodiment may include a system for starting a sensorless motor of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with unknown rotational speed and direction. In one embodiment, the UAV is a high altitude long endurance solar powered aircraft. The system may include the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), at least one sensorless motor of the UAV, the sensorless motor including a set of windings and a rotor, at least one propeller connected to the at least one sensorless motor, and a microcontroller in communication with the at least one sensorless motor, and the microcontroller may be configured to measure a rotational speed of the at least one propeller, measure a rotational direction of the at least one propeller, provide an output to stop the at least one propeller when the measured rotational speed is not a desired rotational speed and / or when the measured rotational direction is not a desired rotational direction, and provide an output to start the at least one propeller at a desired rotational speed and a desired rotational direction when the at least one propeller is stopped.

[0005] In additional system embodiments, the measured rotational speed may be based on a measurement frequency of a back electromotive force (EMF) generated by the at least one sensorless motor. In additional system embodiments, the measurement frequency of the back electromotive force may be measured before the at least one sensorless motor is turned on. In additional system embodiments, the measurement frequency of the back electromotive force may be proportional to a rotational speed of the at least one propeller. In additional system embodiments, stopping the at least one propeller may further include energizing the at least one sensorless motor with a current at a frequency equal to the measurement frequency of the back electromotive force. In additional system embodiments, the microcontroller may be further configured to provide an output to continue rotating the at least one propeller if the measured rotational speed is a desired rotational speed and the measured direction of rotation is a desired direction of rotation.

[0006] Additional system embodiments may further include a wing panel of the UAV, the wing panel having the at least one sensorless motor attached thereto, and at least one landing pod, the at least one landing pod supporting the wing panel. In additional system embodiments, the UAV may be a high altitude, long endurance aircraft. In additional system embodiments, the at least one sensorless motor may be a brushless AC motor.

[0007] An embodiment of the method may include measuring, by a microcontroller in communication with at least one sensorless motor connected to the at least one propeller, a rotational speed of the at least one propeller; measuring, by the microcontroller, a rotational direction of the at least one propeller; providing, by the microcontroller, an output for stopping the at least one propeller when the measured rotational speed is not a desired rotational speed and / or when the measured rotational direction is not a desired rotational direction; and providing, by the microcontroller, an output for starting the at least one propeller when the at least one propeller is stopped at the desired rotational speed and desired rotational direction.

[0008] Additional method embodiments may further include providing, by the microcontroller, an output to continue rotating the at least one propeller if the measured rotational speed is a desired rotational speed and the measured rotational direction is a desired rotational direction. In additional method embodiments, the measured rotational speed is based on a measured frequency of a back electromotive force (EMF) generated by the at least one sensorless motor.

[0009] Another method embodiment may include measuring, by a microcontroller in communication with at least one sensorless motor connected to the at least one propeller, a rotational speed of the at least one propeller while the at least one sensorless motor is de-energized; determining, by the microcontroller, whether the measured rotational speed exceeds a preset threshold; measuring, by the microcontroller, a rotational direction of the at least one propeller while the at least one sensorless motor is de-energized; determining, by the microcontroller, whether the measured rotational direction is a desired rotational direction; and providing, by the microcontroller, an output to the at least one sensorless motor to cause the sensorless motor to rotate at the desired rotational speed and in the desired rotational direction.

[0010] In an additional method embodiment, the output includes energizing the at least one sensorless motor with AC power having a frequency matching the measured rotational speed. In an additional method embodiment, measuring the rotational speed and direction further includes measuring, by the microcontroller, a voltage generated by a winding of the at least one sensorless motor due to rotation of a rotor of the at least one sensorless motor while the at least one sensorless motor is de-energized. In an additional method embodiment, providing the output further includes stopping, by the microcontroller, rotation of the at least one sensorless motor if the measured rotational direction is not a desired rotational direction, starting, by the microcontroller, rotation of the at least one sensorless motor in the desired rotational direction, and increasing, by the microcontroller, the rotational speed of the at least one sensorless motor to the desired rotational speed.

[0011] In an additional method embodiment, providing the output further includes adjusting, by the microcontroller, a rotational speed of the at least one sensorless motor to a desired rotational speed if the measured rotational direction is a desired rotational direction. In an additional method embodiment, the measured rotational speed is based on a measured frequency of a back electromotive force (EMF) generated by the at least one sensorless motor. In an additional method embodiment, a measured rotational speed below a pre-set threshold enables safe operation of the at least one sensorless motor. In an additional method embodiment, the rotational direction is at least one of clockwise and counterclockwise. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention. Like numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the various views. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1]FIG. 1 illustrates a system for starting a sensorless motor of an unmanned aerial vehicle with unknown rotational speed and direction, according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the sensorless motor of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows the sensorless motor of FIG. 2 coupled to a propeller. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of a process for starting a sensorless motor of the unmanned aerial vehicle of FIG. 1 with unknown rotational speed and direction. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary top-level functional block diagram of an embodiment of a computing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates a high-level block diagram and process of a computing system for implementing one embodiment of the system and process. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram and process of an exemplary system in which an embodiment may be implemented. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates a cloud computing environment for implementing one embodiment of the systems and processes disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 for starting a sensorless motor 110 of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with unknown rotational speed and direction is shown. A UAV is an aircraft without an onboard pilot and can be flown autonomously or remotely. A sensorless motor on board the UAV can reduce the complexity of the UAV motor system, such as by reducing the interconnections between the driver module and the motor. In one embodiment, the UAV 101 is a high altitude, long endurance aircraft. In one embodiment, the UAV 101 can have one or more motors 110, e.g., 1-40 motors, and have a wingspan of 100 feet to 400 feet. In one embodiment, the UAV 101 can have a wingspan of approximately 260 feet and can be propelled by multiple motors driven by solar arrays covering the wing surfaces, multiple propellers 140 coupled to 10 electric motors, thereby achieving zero emissions. The UAV101 is designed to fly above the clouds at an altitude of approximately 65,000 feet above sea level and conduct continuous, long-term missions of up to several months without landing.

[0014] The UAV 101 functions optimally at high altitudes and is capable of sustained flight for significant periods of time without resorting to landing. In one embodiment, the UAV 101 may have a weight of approximately 3,000 pounds.

[0015] 2, at least one motor 110 is coupled to the UAV 101 for propelling the UAV 101. In one embodiment, the motor 110 is a brushless AC motor in an outrunner configuration. In another embodiment, the motor 110 is a brushless AC motor in a conventional configuration including an inrunner rotor 112 electrically connected with windings 114 in a wye configuration around a modified armature 116. The motor 110 may have a casing 118 formed of steel or other high strength material to enclose and protect the motor.

[0016] A stator 120 is disposed around the outer circumference of the rotor 112, with the stator 120 having a backiron to contain the magnetic field of the stator 120. The stator 120 may be formed of any suitable magnets, including permanent magnets 122, such as neodymium or praseodymium, or electromagnets. The rotor 112 may have an armature 116 constructed from layers of laminated electrical steel, such as silicon steel, with an oxide film disposed between each steel layer to reduce induced ring currents and increase the efficiency of the motor 110. Other armature materials may include iron or amorphous steel.

[0017] In one embodiment, the motor 110 is configured with windings 114 wound around iron teeth. Additionally, there may be a layer of magnets on the outside of the motor 110 that remain attached to the motor 110 until temperatures drop to approximately -80° C. This is advantageous since the UAV 101 often flies at night and at high altitudes in temperatures approaching -80° C.

[0018] Some motors may be iron-free to avoid hysteresis and eddy current losses, where energy is wasted in the form of heat. In one embodiment, the motor 110 may incorporate permendur, such as Hiperco®, a cobalt-iron soft magnetic alloy with equal parts iron and cobalt. Permendur has very low hysteresis and eddy current losses and often outperforms iron-free motors. Additionally, iron has some very important properties that iron-free motors do not have: (1) it provides mechanical support for the windings, (2) it provides inductance, thus eliminating the need for external inductors, (3) it provides a means to transfer heat away from the motor, (4) it provides a very thin air gap, so much less magnetic material is needed to create the magnetic field, and (5) it keeps the magnetic field away from the copper, where a lot of energy is lost when the magnetic field passes through the copper.

[0019] The voltage across the motor windings 114 forces the motor rotor 112 to rotate. However, the movement of the motor rotor 112 through the motor's magnetic field is similar to the operation of a generator, so that the motor not only receives an applied voltage, but also generates its own voltage. This voltage is the back electromotive force (EMF) and is proportional to the motor's rotational speed 110. More specifically, because the motor windings 114 are rotating inside a magnetic field, the magnetic field induces a back electromotive force. This back electromotive force initially acts against the applied voltage that is rotating the motor 110, reducing the current through the coils of the motor 110. The back electromotive force can be used to measure the speed and position of the motor rotor 112, thus eliminating the need for sensors to make such measurements. In one embodiment, the sensorless AC motor 110 is controlled using a microcontroller, such as the microcontroller 150 described below.

[0020] Because the brushless AC motor 110 is similar to a generator such as found in a dynamo or turbine, when driven by the motor driver it also begins to generate an electromagnetic force. The generated electromagnetic force acts against the forward voltage generated by the motor driver, and importantly, the frequency of that force is directly related to the speed of the rotor 112 and can be measured by the microcontroller 150. Thus, by using a measurement of this back EMF frequency, it is possible to measure the speed of the motor 110 and compare the measured speed to the speed the microcontroller is trying to achieve.

[0021] A sensorless AC motor 110 may have permanent magnets 122 fixed to a rotor 112, with electromagnets attached around the edges of the motor 110. As the motor 110 picks up speed, it begins to generate an electromotive force in the stator windings 114. The frequency generated by the back EMF is directly proportional to the speed of the motor 110. Thus, the sensorless motor's microcontroller 150 can read this frequency to determine the motor's speed and adjust the drive pattern accordingly.

[0022] In one embodiment, AC supplied to the stator windings 114 energizes the windings 114, generating a rotating magnetic flux. This magnetic flux generates a magnetic field in the air gap between the stator 120 and the rotor 112, inducing a voltage that generates a current through the rotor bars. The rotor circuit may also be shorted, causing current to flow in the rotor conductors. The action of the rotating magnetic flux and the current generates a force that generates a torque to start the motor 110.

[0023] The alternator rotor 112 may include a wire coil wrapped around an iron core. In one embodiment, the magnetic components of the rotor 112 are made from steel laminations to aid in stamping the conductor slots to a particular shape and size. When a current flows through the wire coil, a magnetic field is created around the iron core (commonly referred to as the field current). The strength of the field current controls the power level of the magnetic field.

[0024] The stator 120 can act as a field magnet and interact with the armature 116 to generate motion, or the stator 120 can act as the armature 116 and receive its influence from the moving field coils on the rotor 112 .

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, at least one motor 110 is coupled to a propeller 140 of the UAV 101. The propeller 140 and motor 110 may be integrated into a wing panel 107, which may be supported by a landing pod 113. Other mounting configurations of the motor 110 and the propeller 140 are possible and contemplated. In general, for example, when the UAV 101 is on the ground and wind is blowing from the front or rear of the UAV 101, the propeller 140 may be rotating in an undesirable direction and / or at a rotational speed that exceeds a threshold. For example, the propeller 140 may be rotating counterclockwise instead of clockwise when a clockwise direction is desired. The propeller 140 may be rotating at a rotational speed that exceeds a threshold or in the wrong direction, which may prevent the UAV 101 from starting. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to start the motor 110 even when the propeller 140 is in a windmilling state due to wind approaching from the front or rear of the UAV 101.

[0026] Typically, DC power may be provided to the windings 114 (see FIG. 2) and motor 110 to stop the rotor 112 and lock it in place. The microcontroller 150 may then slowly increase the speed of the motor 110 until the motor 110 is fast enough for sensorless operation. If the wind is strong enough from in front of or behind the UAV 101 when the UAV 101 is on the ground, the propellers 140 of the UAV 101 may provide sufficient speed and torque to prevent the DC current on the windings 114 from stopping the rotor 112.

[0027] In one embodiment, the voltage generated by the windings 114 due to the rotation of the rotor 112 can be measured before the motor 110 is turned on. More specifically, the windings 114 are not energized and there is no switching noise in the motor 110. Thus, the very low voltage caused by a very slow rotation speed can be measured, and the rotation speed of the motor 110 can also be measured by the microcontroller 150. In one embodiment, the motor 110 is energized with AC instead of DC, at the same frequency as the rotation speed and in the proper phase. For example, the microcontroller 150 can read the frequency, the AC locks the motor 110 to that frequency, stops the motor 110, and then the motor 110 speeds up in the correct direction, and the speed of the motor 110 can be determined and the drive pattern adjusted accordingly. The microcontroller 150 can also send a signal via the output 148 to the propeller 140 to not rotate or to rotate in the proper direction. This can prevent the UAV 101 from stalling or from spinning the propellers 140 at speeds above a threshold or in the wrong direction.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, a flow chart 200 illustrates a process for starting a sensorless motor 110 with an unknown rotational speed and direction. The method 200 includes measuring the rotor speed and direction of a non-energized sensorless motor by a microcontroller (step 202). The non-energized sensorless motor may be the sensorless motor 110 of FIGS. 2 and 3 before the motor is turned on. The method 200 may then include determining, by the microcontroller, when the rotor speed and direction of the non-energized motor 110 is measured, whether the rotor direction is in a desired direction and whether the rotor speed is at a preset threshold that enables safe sensorless operation (step 204). If the motor 110 is operating at the desired rotor speed and direction, the motor 110 is allowed to continue rotating without stalling (step 206). If the motor 110 is not operating at the desired rotor speed and direction, the microcontroller 150 energizes the motor 110 with AC power whose frequency matches the initial rotational speed of the motor 110, thereby enabling the sensorless motor and at least one propeller to operate at the desired speed and direction (step 208).

[0029] 5 illustrates an example of a top-level functional block diagram of a computing device embodiment 400. An exemplary operating environment is illustrated as a computing device 420, such as a microcontroller 150, including a processor 424, such as a central processing unit (CPU), addressable memory 427, an external device interface 426, e.g., an optional USB port and associated processing, and / or an Ethernet port and associated processing, and an optional user interface 429, e.g., an array of status lights and one or more toggle switches, and / or a display, and / or a keyboard and / or a pointer-mouse system and / or a touch screen. Optionally, the addressable memory may include any type of computer-readable medium capable of storing data accessible by the microcontroller 420, such as magnetic hard and floppy disk drives, optical disk drives, magnetic cassettes, tape drives, flash memory cards, digital video disks (DVDs), Bernoulli cartridges, RAM, ROM, smart cards, etc. Indeed, any medium for storing or transmitting computer-readable instructions and data may be employed, including a connection port to or a node on a network, such as a LAN, a WAN, or the Internet. These elements may communicate with each other via a data bus 428. In some embodiments, a processor 424, via an operating system 425, such as supporting a web browser 423 and applications 422, may be configured to perform the process steps of establishing a communication channel and the processing steps of the embodiments described above.

[0030] 6 is a high-level block diagram 600 illustrating a computing system including a computer system useful for implementing an embodiment of the system and process disclosed herein. The embodiment of the system can be implemented in a variety of computing environments. The computer system includes one or more processors 602 and can further include an electronic display device 604 (e.g., for displaying graphics, text, and other data), a main memory 606 (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), a storage device 608, a removable storage device 610 (e.g., a removable storage drive, a removable memory module, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a computer-readable medium storing computer software and / or data, etc.), a user interface device 611 (e.g., a keyboard, a touch screen, a keypad, a pointing device), and a communication interface 612 (e.g., a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communication port, or a PCMCIA slot and card). The communication interface 612 allows software and data to be transferred between the computer system and external devices. The system further includes a communication infrastructure 614 (eg, a communication bus, crossover bar, or network) to which the previously mentioned devices / modules are connected as shown.

[0031] Information transferred via communications interface 614 may be in the form of signals, such as electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals, that may be received by communications interface 614 via communications link 616 that transmits the signals, which may be implemented using wire or cable, optical fiber, telephone line, cellular / mobile phone link, radio frequency (RF) link and / or other communications channels. The computer program instructions illustrated in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts herein may be loaded into a computer, programmable data processing apparatus or processing device and cause a sequence of operations to be performed thereon to generate a computer-implemented process.

[0032] The embodiments have been described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to the embodiments. Each block of such illustrations / diagrams or combinations thereof may be implemented by computer program instructions. The computer program instructions, when provided to a processor, cause a machine such that the instructions executed by the processor create means for performing the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. Each block of the flowcharts / block diagrams may represent a hardware and / or software module or logic circuit for implementing the embodiments. In alternative implementations, the functions shown in the blocks may occur out of the order shown in the figures or simultaneously.

[0033] Computer programs (i.e., computer control logic) are stored in the main memory and / or the secondary memory. Computer programs may also be received via the communications interface 612. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer system to perform features of the embodiments as described herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable the processor and / or multi-core processor to perform the functions of the computer system. Such computer programs are responsible for the controller of the computer system.

[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary system 700 in which an embodiment may be implemented. The system 700 includes one or more client devices 701, such as consumer electronic devices, connected to one or more server computing systems 730. The server 730 includes a bus 702 or other communication mechanism for transmitting information and a processor (CPU) 704 coupled to the bus 702 for processing information. The server 730 also includes a main memory 706, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus 702 for storing instructions and information executed by the processor 704. The main memory 706 may also be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information or instructions executed by the processor 704 during execution. The server computer system 730 further includes a read-only memory (ROM) 708 or other static storage device coupled to the bus 702 for storing static information and instructions for the processor 704. A storage device 710, such as a magnetic or optical disk, is provided and coupled to the bus 702 for storing information and instructions. The bus 702 may include, for example, 32 address lines for addressing a video memory or main memory 706. The bus 702 may also include, for example, a 32-bit data bus for transferring data between components such as the CPU 704, the main memory 706, and the video memory and storage 710. Alternatively, multiplexed data / address lines may be used instead of separate data and address lines.

[0035] Server 730 may be coupled via bus 702 to a display 712 for displaying information to a computer user. An input device 714, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to bus 702 for communicating information and command selections to processor 704. Another type or user input device includes a cursor control 716, such as a mouse, trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating directional information and command selections to processor 704 and for controlling cursor movement on display 712.

[0036] According to one embodiment, functions are performed by the processor 704 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory 706. Such instructions may be read into the main memory 706 from another computer-readable medium, such as the storage device 710. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the main memory 706 causes the processor 704 to perform the process steps described herein. It is also possible to execute the sequences of instructions contained in the main memory 706 using one or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the embodiments. Thus, the embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

[0037] The terms "computer program medium", "computer usable medium", "computer readable medium" and "computer program product" are typically used to refer to media such as main memory, secondary memory, removable storage drives, hard disks mounted in hard disk drives, and signals. Such computer program products are means for providing software to a computer system. The computer readable medium enables a computer system to read data, instructions, messages or message packets, and other computer readable information from the computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include, for example, non-volatile memory such as floppy disks, ROMs, flash memories, disk drive memories, CD-ROMs, and other permanent storage devices. This is useful, for example, for moving information such as data and computer instructions between computer systems. Furthermore, the computer readable medium may include computer readable information in a transitory state medium such as a network link and / or a network interface, including a wired or wireless network, that allows a computer to read the computer readable information. The computer program (also referred to as computer control logic) is stored in the main memory and / or secondary memory. The computer program may also be received via a communication interface. Such a computer program, when executed, enables the computer system to perform the features of the embodiments as described herein. In particular, computer programs, when executed, enable the processor multi-core processor to perform the functions of the computer system, and thus, such computer programs act as the controller of the computer system.

[0038] In general, the term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to the processor 704 for execution. Such media may take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as the storage device(s) 710. Volatile media include dynamic memory, such as the main memory 706. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise the bus 702. Transmission media may also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave or infrared data communications.

[0039] Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tape or other magnetic media, CD-ROMs, other optical media, punch cards, paper tape, other physical media with patterns of holes, RAM, PROMs, EPROMs, FLASH-EPROMs, other memory chips or cartridges, carrier waves as described below, or other media from which a computer can read.

[0040] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to the processor 704 for execution. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer may load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the server 730 may receive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector coupled to the bus 702 may receive the data carried in the infrared signal and place the data on the bus 702. The bus 702 carries the data to main memory 706, from which the processor 704 retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received from main memory 706 may optionally be stored in storage device 710 either before or after execution by the processor 704.

[0041] The server 730 also includes a communication interface 718 coupled to the bus 702. The communication interface 718 provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link 720 that is connected to the world wide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the Internet 728. The Internet 728 uses electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals through the various networks and the signals on the network link 720 and through the communication interface 718, which carry the digital data between the server 730, are exemplary forms or carrier waves transporting the information.

[0042] In another embodiment of the server 730, the interface 718 is connected to the network 722 via a communications link 720. For example, the communications interface 718 may be an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide a data communications connection to a corresponding type of telephone line and may form part of the network link 720. As another example, the communications interface 718 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communications connection to a compatible LAN. A wireless link may also be implemented. In any such implementation, the communications interface 718 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.

[0043] Network link 720 typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices. For example, network link 720 may provide a connection through a local network 722 to a host computer 724 or to data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP provides data communication services through the Internet 728. Local network 722 and Internet 728 both use electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals through the various networks and the signals on network link 720 and through communication interface 718, which carry the digital data between server 730, are exemplary forms or carrier waves transporting the information.

[0044] The server 730 can send and receive messages and data, including e-mail, program code, through the network, network link 720 and communication interface 718. Additionally, the communication interface 718 can include a USB / tuner, and the network link 720 can be an antenna or cable for connecting the server 730 to a cable provider, satellite provider or other terrestrial transmission system for receiving messages, data and program code from another source.

[0045] Exemplary aspects of the embodiments described herein may be implemented as logical operations in a distributed processing system, such as system 700, including server 730. The logical operations of the embodiments may be implemented as a series of steps executed by server 730 and as interconnected machine modules within system 700. The implementation is a matter of choice and may depend on the performance of system 700 implementing the embodiment. As such, the logical operations making up the exemplary aspects of the embodiments may be referred to as, for example, operations, steps or modules.

[0046] Similar to the server 730 described above, the client device 701 may include a processor, memory, storage devices, a display, input devices, as well as a communications interface (e.g., an email interface) for connecting the client device to the Internet 728, an ISP or a LAN 722 for communication with the server 730.

[0047] The system 700 may further include a computer (e.g., a personal computer, a computing node) 705 that operates similarly to the client device 701, and a user may utilize one or more computers 705 to manage data in the server 730.

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 8, an exemplary cloud computing environment 50 is shown. As shown, the cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or more cloud computing nodes 10 with which the cloud computing nodes can communicate with local computing devices used by cloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, smart watches, set-top boxes, video game systems, tablets, mobile computing devices, or ... It should be understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shown in FIG. 8 are intended as examples only, and that the computing nodes 10 and cloud computing environment 50 may communicate with any type of computerized device via any type of network and / or network-addressable connection (e.g., using a web browser).

[0049] It is contemplated that various combinations and / or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the above-described embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the present invention. Thus, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Moreover, it is intended that the scope of the present invention, although disclosed herein by way of example, should not be limited by the specific disclosed embodiments described above.

Claims

1. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and At least one sensorless motor for the UAV, the sensorless motor including a set of windings and a rotor; at least one propeller connected to the at least one sensorless motor; a microcontroller in communication with the at least one sensorless motor, When at least one propeller of the UAV on the ground is rotating due to wind, Measuring the rotational speed of the at least one propeller; determining a direction of rotation of the at least one propeller; providing an output to stop the at least one propeller when at least one of: (a) the measured direction of rotation is not a desired direction of rotation; and (b) the measured rotational speed exceeds a preset threshold regardless of direction of rotation; a microcontroller configured to provide an output to start the at least one propeller at a desired rotational speed and in a desired direction of rotation if the at least one propeller is stopped; Equipped with The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller measures a rotational speed and direction of rotation of the at least one propeller and determines whether the measured rotational speed exceeds a preset threshold.

2. 2. The system of claim 1, The system, wherein the measured rotational speed is based on a measured frequency of a back electromotive force (EMF) generated by the at least one sensorless motor.

3. 3. The system of claim 2, The system according to claim 1, wherein the measured frequency of the back EMF is measured before the at least one sensorless motor is turned on.

4. 3. The system of claim 2, A system wherein the frequency at which the back EMF is measured is proportional to the rotational speed of the at least one propeller.

5. 3. The system of claim 2, 11. The system of claim 1, wherein stopping the at least one propeller further comprises energizing the at least one sensorless motor with a current at a frequency equal to a back EMF measurement frequency.

6. 2. The system of claim 1, The microcontroller further comprises:

20. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to provide an output to continue rotating the at least one propeller when the measured rotational speed is a desired rotational speed and the measured rotational direction is a desired rotational direction.

7. 2. The system of claim 1, a wing panel of a UAV, the wing panel having the at least one sensorless motor mounted thereon; and at least one landing pod supporting said wing panel.

8. 2. The system of claim 1, The system is characterized in that the UAV is a high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft.

9. 2. The system of claim 1, The system wherein the at least one sensorless motor is a brushless AC motor.

10. When at least one propeller is rotated by wind rather than by a motor, measuring a rotational speed of the at least one propeller by a microcontroller in communication with at least one sensorless motor connected to the at least one propeller; determining, by the microcontroller, a direction of rotation of the at least one propeller; providing, by the microcontroller, an output to stop the at least one propeller when at least one of: (a) the measured rotation direction is not a desired rotation direction; and (b) the measured rotation speed exceeds a preset threshold regardless of rotation direction; and if the at least one propeller is stopped, providing, by the microcontroller, an output to start the at least one propeller at a desired rotational speed and in a desired rotational direction; measuring, by the microcontroller, a rotational speed and direction of rotation of the at least one propeller, and determining whether the measured rotational speed exceeds a preset threshold.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of providing, by the microcontroller, an output to continue rotating the at least one propeller if the measured rotational speed is a desired rotational speed and the measured rotational direction is a desired rotational direction.

12. 11. The method of claim 10, The method, wherein the measured rotational speed is based on a measured frequency of a back electromotive force (EMF) generated by the at least one sensorless motor.

13. measuring, by a microcontroller in communication with at least one sensorless motor connected to the at least one propeller, a rotational speed of the at least one propeller while the at least one sensorless motor is de-energized; determining, by the microcontroller, whether the measured rotational speed exceeds a desired rotational speed; measuring, by the microcontroller, a direction of rotation of the at least one propeller while the at least one sensorless motor is de-energized; determining, by the microcontroller, whether the measured direction of rotation is a desired direction of rotation; providing, by the microcontroller, an output to the at least one sensorless motor to cause the sensorless motor to rotate at a desired speed and in a desired direction when at least one of: (a) the measured direction of rotation is not a desired direction of rotation; and (b) the measured speed of rotation exceeds the desired speed of rotation regardless of direction of rotation; the microcontroller measuring a rotational speed and direction of rotation of the at least one propeller and determining whether the measured rotational speed exceeds a desired rotational speed.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of, if the measured direction of rotation is not a desired direction of rotation, providing an output by the microcontroller to the at least one sensorless motor to cause the sensorless motor to rotate at a desired speed and in a desired direction.

15. 14. The method of claim 13, The method of claim 1, wherein the output includes energizing the at least one sensorless motor with AC power having a frequency that matches the measured rotational speed.

16. 14. The method of claim 13, The method of claim 1, wherein measuring the speed and direction of rotation further comprises measuring, by the microcontroller, a voltage produced by a winding of the at least one sensorless motor due to rotation of a rotor of the at least one sensorless motor while the at least one sensorless motor is de-energized.

17. 14. The method of claim 13, Providing the output further comprises: stopping, by the microcontroller, the rotation of the at least one sensorless motor if the measured direction of rotation is not a desired direction of rotation; initiating, by the microcontroller, rotation of the at least one sensorless motor in a desired direction of rotation; and increasing, by the microcontroller, a rotational speed of the at least one sensorless motor to a desired rotational speed.

18. 14. The method of claim 13, Providing the output further comprises: and adjusting, by the microcontroller, a rotational speed of the at least one sensorless motor to a desired rotational speed if the measured rotational direction is a desired rotational direction.

19. 14. The method of claim 13, The method, wherein the measured rotational speed is based on a measured frequency of a back electromotive force (EMF) generated by the at least one sensorless motor.

20. 14. The method of claim 13, A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a measured rotational speed below a preset threshold allows safe operation of the at least one sensorless motor.

21. 14. The method of claim 13, 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the direction of rotation is at least one of clockwise and counterclockwise.

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