Conical Docking Surface for UAV Recharging Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for refueling or recharging vehicles require manual guidance or precise alignment, which can lead to errors and inefficiencies, especially in automated systems like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and existing technologies lack a reliable, automated solution for aligning vehicles with replenishment systems.
Innovation Solution
A docking apparatus with a conical sloped surface that passively aligns a hovering vehicle with a receptacle, using sensors and contact rings to facilitate automatic refueling or recharging, allowing for alignment at various angles and conditions, including underwater or space-based environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual guidance or feedback control is used to bring the vehicle onto charging contacts, then alignment precision can be achieved, but the complexity of the system increases and requires human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The conical surface structure enables the vehicle to self-align with the charging contacts through passive mechanical guidance. The vehicle's weight and motion naturally guide it along the conical surface to the correct position, eliminating the need for complex active guidance systems or human intervention while maintaining high alignment precision
2Measurement precision
If visual markers or sensing modalities are used for spatial orientation, then alignment accuracy is improved, but the loss of time due to calibration and setup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical sensing modalities and visual marker systems with a simple mechanical conical surface structure. This mechanical guidance system provides immediate alignment without requiring calibration, setup, or external sensing equipment, thereby eliminating calibration time while maintaining spatial orientation accuracy
3Measurement precision
If active alignment methods are used for spacecraft docking, then docking precision is improved, but the reliability decreases due to rejection or ejection of the spacecraft
Solution Approach 1:
The conical surface provides passive, fail-safe mechanical guidance that naturally guides the vehicle to the correct position without active control systems that can fail. The geometry of the conical surface ensures that any approach angle will naturally correct itself, eliminating rejection or ejection events and improving docking reliability while maintaining precision
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
Enables automatic, efficient, and precise alignment and replenishment of vehicle resources with minimal human intervention, ensuring reliable and adaptable power replenishment across different environments and vehicle types.
Implementation Method 1
A conical sloped surface that directs a hovering rotorcraft down onto electrical recharging contacts
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention extends to methods, systems, devices, and apparatus for replenishing vehicle resources. Vehicles can be aligned with and docked to replenishment devices. In one aspect, a flying vehicle (e.g., an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)) is aligned onto electrical recharging contacts. The flying vehicles fuel level or battery charge can be replenished with minimal, if any, human intervention. Vehicle docking (e.g., landing), alignment, and replenishment can be performed automatically. A circular ring or shaped surface of a vehicle can engage with a conical sloping surface of a docking apparatus as a vehicle moves towards and/or into the docking apparatus. The conical sloping surface shape aligns the vehicle with recharge contacts or a refueling probe at the base of the docking apparatus.