Aerial Sensor Measurement During Propeller Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerial vehicles equipped with propellers and motors experience vibrations that negatively affect sensor measurements, causing issues such as motion blur in imaging sensors, noise in ultrasonic and laser-based sensors, and inaccurate data from 3D scanners due to the propellers' and motors' operation.
Innovation Solution
A method where the motors are selectively turned off or slowed down to allow sensors to take measurements without the interference of propeller vibrations, using a controller to manage the propeller speed and vehicle altitude to minimize vibration impact during data capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the motors are operated to drive the propellers for flight, then the aerial vehicle can fly and maintain position, but vibrations are generated that negatively affect sensor measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between motor operation phases (for flight) and sensor measurement phases (when motors are slowed or stopped). The controller periodically activates the motors to maintain flight, then deactivates or slows them to enable accurate sensor measurements, creating a cyclic pattern of flight and measurement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by slowing down or stopping the motors before sensor measurements are taken. This preparatory action eliminates vibrations in advance, ensuring that when the sensor operates, the aerial vehicle is in a stable, vibration-free state optimal for accurate measurements.
2Measurement precision
If the motors are slowed down or turned off to reduce vibrations, then measurement accuracy improves, but the aerial vehicle loses flight capability and altitude control
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic action by alternating between motor operation for altitude maintenance and motor shutdown for measurement. The motors are periodically activated to maintain flight altitude, then deactivated to enable accurate sensor operation, creating a time-based cycle that balances flight capability with measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making the motor speed variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts motor speed based on operational requirements: high speed for flight maintenance, reduced or zero speed for measurement. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt between conflicting operational states.
3Productivity
If the sensor operates during flight with vibrating propellers, then continuous monitoring is possible, but measurement quality deteriorates due to motion blur and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic action by creating distinct operational cycles: flight phases for positioning and measurement phases for data collection. During measurement phases, motors are slowed or stopped to eliminate vibrations, ensuring high-quality data is captured during these periodic intervals rather than attempting continuous measurement during vibration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If gimbals are added to freely orient the sensor, then sensor orientation flexibility improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the need for gimbals entirely. Instead of adding complex orientation mechanisms, the solution extracts the vibration source (the motors/propellers) from the measurement phase, allowing the sensor to remain fixed while achieving accurate measurements during motor shutdown periods.
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 noise and vibration-related errors in sensor measurements, improving the signal-to-noise ratio and reducing motion blur, allowing for more accurate data collection from various sensors on aerial vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
when driven by the one or more motors 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
aerodynamic interactions between the airflow generated by the propeller and other components of the aerial vehicles (e.g. pressure waves or tip vortices hitting the structure of the aerial vehicle)
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial vehicle and a method of taking a measurement using a sensor mounted on an aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle has one or more propellers and one car more motors which are selectively operable to drive the one or more propellers to rotate to cause the vehicle to fly. A sensor is mounted on the aerial vehicle. The method includes operating the one or more motors to drive the one or more propellers to cause the vehicle to fly. At a first time instant, the one or more motors are slowed down or turned off. When the one or more motors are slowed down or turned off, a measurement is taken using the sensor; at a second time instant, which is after the measurement has been taken using sensor, operating the one or more motors again to drive the one or more propellers to cause the vehicle to fly.