Autonomous Drone Refueling System for Mobile Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in refueling due to the scarcity of recharging and refueling stations, requiring them to travel to these locations, which can lead to inefficiencies and delays.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous drone system that includes a fuel storage area, a fuel delivery mechanism, and a central controller, which can be dispatched to vehicles in need of refueling, using onboard sensors and wireless communication to autonomously navigate to the vehicle and deliver fuel, and then return to a refilling station to advertise any remaining fuel for sale to other vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vehicles travel to refueling stations, then refueling can be performed, but travel time and operational efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of vehicles traveling to refueling stations, the patent inverts the approach by sending autonomous refueling drones to the vehicles. The dispatcher system receives fuel requests from vehicles and dispatches drones to deliver fuel directly, reversing the traditional refueling paradigm and eliminating the need for vehicles to travel to stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary refueling drone system between the fuel source and the vehicle. The drone acts as a mobile refueling station, carrying fuel from storage facilities to vehicles in need, thereby eliminating the requirement for vehicles to physically travel to refueling stations while ensuring fuel delivery.
2Ease of operation
If refueling stations are established, then refueling service is available, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static refueling station infrastructure into a dynamic, mobile refueling system. Instead of fixed stations, autonomous drones provide mobile refueling services, allowing refueling capability to move with the vehicles and adapt to their locations, thereby improving accessibility without requiring fixed infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The refueling drone system serves multiple functions: it acts as a fuel delivery vehicle, a mobile refueling station, and a logistics platform. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for dedicated refueling stations, reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining or improving refueling accessibility across different locations.
3Productivity
If drones carry excess fuel, then fuel can be sold to other vehicles, but fuel storage capacity and drone weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the drone's fuel load based on real-time demands and opportunities. The dispatcher system optimizes fuel allocation, allowing drones to carry variable fuel quantities - enough to service vehicles in need and potentially sell excess fuel, but not so much as to create excessive weight. This dynamic parameter adjustment balances fuel economy benefits with weight constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are embodiments of an autonomous drone for refueling. The autonomous drone may comprise a fuel storage area; a fuel delivery mechanism coupled to the fuel storage area; a delivery connection coupled to the fuel delivery mechanism; a drive mechanism; and a central controller. The central controller may be configured to receive a refueling location; and control the drive mechanism to pilot the autonomous drone to the refueling location.