Aerial Sensor Measurement with Motor Pause to Avoid Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerial vehicles experience vibrations due to propeller and motor imbalances and aerodynamic interactions, which negatively affect sensor measurements, particularly in imaging and 3D scanning, and introduce noise in ultrasonic, laser-based, and magnetic field sensors.
Innovation Solution
The method involves temporarily turning off the motors and propellers when sensors are activated to take measurements, using a controller to manage the vehicle's momentum and altitude changes to minimize vibrations and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the motors and propellers are operated to enable flight, then the aerial vehicle can fly and maintain position, but vibrations are generated that negatively affect sensor measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is configured to turn off the motors and propellers before the sensor takes a measurement. This preliminary action eliminates the vibration source before measurement begins, ensuring high measurement precision while maintaining flight stability through coordinated motor reactivation afterward.
2Productivity
If the sensor operates during flight to capture measurements, then real-time data can be obtained, but the vibrations cause motion blur and noise in the measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic operation where motors are turned off during measurement intervals and restarted afterward. This periodic on-off cycle allows high-quality measurements to be captured at regular intervals while maintaining overall flight productivity through efficient transition timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller turns off the motors and propellers before the sensor captures measurements, ensuring the vehicle is already stabilized before data collection begins. This preliminary stabilization prevents motion blur and vibration-induced noise while maintaining efficient measurement workflows.
3Measurement precision
If the motors are turned off to reduce vibrations, then measurement precision improves, but the aerial vehicle loses thrust and altitude control
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically manages motor operation by turning them off only during the brief measurement interval and immediately restarting them afterward. This dynamic control allows the system to temporarily sacrifice thrust for measurement precision while quickly restoring flight capabilities, maintaining overall mission effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces motion blur and noise in sensor measurements, enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and accuracy of imaging, 3D scanning, and other sensor data.
Implementation Method 1
the propellers rotate to generate a thrust force which enables the aerial vehicle to fly
Implementation Method 2
the propellers and/or motors tend to cause aerial vehicles to vibrate when they are in use. These vibrations are caused by imperfect balance of the rotating masses of propellers and/or motors causing forces and torques to act on the aerial vehicle
Implementation Method 3
the controller is configured to turn off the one or more motors before the sensor takes a measurement
Data Source
AI summary
A method of taking a measurement using a sensor mounted on an aerial vehicle, the aerial vehicle having one or more propellers and one or more motors which are selectively operable to drive the one or more propellers to rotate to cause the vehicle to fly, and a sensor mounted on the aerial vehicle, the method comprising the steps of, operating the one or more motors to drive the one or more propellers to cause the vehicle to fly; at a first time instant, slowing down or turning off said one or more motors; while the one or more motors are slowed down or turned off, taking a measurement using said sensor; at a second time instant, which is after the measurement has been taken using the sensor, operating the one or more motors again to drive the one or more propellers to cause the vehicle to fly. There is further provided a corresponding aerial vehicle.