Aerial Vehicle Recharging Boom and Basket for Autonomous Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous aerial vehicles, such as VTOLs, require regular manual intervention for recharging, limiting their autonomy and operational efficiency, especially during missions that demand disconnection from recharging stations.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a base, a supply boom with recharging means, and a receiving basket, allowing for automatic recharging without human intervention, featuring centering mechanisms, mechanical locking devices, and a cable winder for efficient electrical connection and disconnection, enabling the vehicle to operate in tethered flight mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual connection is used for recharging, then operational simplicity is maintained, but operational efficiency and autonomy are reduced due to required human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The recharging system enables autonomous operation through self-service mechanisms: the aerial vehicle automatically docks with the recharging station, the supply boom autonomously connects to the receiving basket, and electrical connection is established without human intervention. This eliminates the need for manual connection while maintaining system reliability through automated alignment and engagement features.
2Productivity
If automated recharging system is implemented, then operational efficiency is improved, but bulk and mass of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recharging system is divided into separate functional components: the supply boom with recharging means is mounted on the base, while the receiving basket is mounted on the aerial vehicle. This segmentation allows the vehicle to carry only the essential receiving basket, reducing its mass, while the more substantial supply boom remains on the stationary base.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from ground-based recharging to aerial docking by extending the supply boom vertically upward to meet the receiving basket on the hovering or landed vehicle. This vertical dimension allows automated connection without requiring the vehicle to land precisely on a ground-based connector, reducing the need for heavy landing gear and precision alignment mechanisms.
3Duration of action of moving object
If tethered flight mode is used, then continuous operation is enabled, but manual disconnection and reconnection is required during mission transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The automated docking and undocking mechanisms enable the vehicle to independently transition between tethered and autonomous flight modes. The supply boom and receiving basket automatically engage and disengage based on vehicle position and mission requirements, eliminating the need for manual intervention during mode transitions while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for recharging an autonomous aerial vehicle includes a base, a supply boom, a receiving basket, a centering device, and a locking device. The supply boom includes a tip and first recharger. The receiving basket has an inner wall delimiting a cavity that may receive the tip of the supply boom. The receiving basket including a second recharger that is complementary to the first recharger. One of the supply boom and the receiving basket is mounted on the autonomous aerial vehicle while the other is mounted on the base. The centering device centers the tip of the supply boom in the cavity of the receiving basket. The locking device is controlled by a controller and locks the supply boom in the receiving basket.