Autothrottle Limiting Device for Engine Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial systems with rotary engines face temperature increases due to external hot air at high altitudes, leading to reduced mission efficiency and engine reliability, as existing systems lack effective cooling mechanisms and require operator intervention, increasing the risk of engine failure and accidents.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an autopilot, autothrottle limiting device, and rotary engine, where the autothrottle limiting device continuously monitors engine temperature and adjusts throttle commands to maintain a constant internal temperature, using feedback loops to prevent overheating and optimize engine operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full-open throttle is used to avoid collision with terrain during taking-off and landing, then the aerial vehicle can safely take off and land, but the engine temperature increases excessively leading to reduced reliability and shortened life
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors engine internal temperature and feeds this information back to the autothrottle limiting device, which automatically adjusts the throttle command value to maintain temperature within safe operating limits. This closed-loop feedback mechanism prevents excessive temperature rise while ensuring safe operation during critical phases like takeoff and landing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the throttle parameter based on engine temperature conditions. When temperature approaches critical levels, the autothrottle limiting device reduces the throttle command value, thereby changing the operating parameter to maintain reliability without requiring operator intervention.
2Weight of moving object
If no separate cooling device is used to reduce weight and loading space, then the aerial vehicle achieves better weight efficiency, but the engine cannot be sufficiently cooled at high altitude in hot conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing autopilot and throttle control mechanisms to serve the additional function of temperature management. By modifying the throttle command logic to include temperature feedback, the system achieves cooling control without adding separate cooling devices, maintaining weight efficiency while preventing overheating.
Solution Approach 2:
The autothrottle limiting device performs multiple functions: it limits throttle to prevent excessive engine temperature, maintains optimal operating temperature for efficiency, and ensures safe operation during terrain avoidance. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated cooling systems.
3Temperature
If operator intervention is required to cool the engine, then the engine temperature can be controlled, but the operation complexity increases and the risk of accidents due to frequent intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic feedback control system continuously monitors engine temperature and adjusts throttle commands without operator intervention. This eliminates the need for pilots to manually respond to temperature alerts, reducing operational complexity and allowing pilots to focus on primary flight tasks while the system autonomously manages engine temperature.
4Productivity
If throttle position is not limited, then the aerial vehicle can achieve maximum performance, but the engine exceeds its limited temperature leading to reduced mission efficiency and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the throttle parameter based on real-time temperature feedback, changing the operating point to maintain optimal performance within safe temperature limits. This ensures the engine operates at the boundary of maximum performance and safety, maximizing mission efficiency without compromising reliability.
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 solution enhances engine reliability and mission efficiency by automatically regulating engine temperature, preventing overheating and reducing the risk of accidents, even in communication disruptions, without modifying existing autopilot systems.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary engine 300 for feeding an internal temperature of the engine of the autopilot 100 back to the autothrottle limiting device 200
Implementation Method 2
the engine is cooled using external air without any separate cooling device
Data Source
AI summary
A system for maintaining a constant temperature of an engine in an unmanned aerial system with an autothrottle limiting device comprises an autopilot for issuing a throttle command, an autothrottle limiting device for automatically limiting an upper limit of the throttle command issued by the autopilot, and a rotary engine for feeding an internal temperature of the engine back to the autothrottle limiting device. The system is applicable to all kinds of unmanned aerial systems employing an air-cooling rotary engine, uses the existing autopilot of the unmanned aerial system without modification, and improves the reliability and life of the engine.