Electro-Mechanical Drone Transport System for Extended Flight Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drones face limitations in flight sustainability due to significant battery power consumption to counteract Earth's gravity and the trade-off between battery weight and maximum flight distance, making them impractical for long-distance transportation.
Innovation Solution
An integrated engineering system combining multiple drones with an Electro-Mechanical drone transportation system, utilizing Magnetic Levitation, rail, or suspension cable technology to transport drones mid-flight, thereby extending their maximum flight distance and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If drones use battery power for sustained flight, then they can achieve vertical lift and autonomous flight control, but battery weight increases and maximum flight distance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electro-mechanical transportation system as an intermediary that provides mechanical propulsion to drones during mid-flight. This external propulsion system acts as a mediator between the drone's limited battery power and the requirement for long-distance travel, allowing drones to achieve extended range without proportionally increasing battery weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The journey is segmented into multiple phases: initial autonomous flight to reach the electro-mechanical system, followed by assisted propulsion phase where the transportation system provides thrust, and finally autonomous flight to destination. This segmentation allows the drone to minimize battery requirements while achieving long-distance travel.
2Reliability
If drones consume significant battery power to counteract gravity, then they can maintain flight stability, but energy consumption increases and flight sustainability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electro-mechanical transportation system serves as an intermediary that assumes the burden of counteracting gravity during mid-flight segments. This external system provides the necessary thrust to maintain flight stability without requiring the drone's battery to continuously overcome gravitational force, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions between autonomous flight mode (using drone's own power) and assisted flight mode (using electro-mechanical system). This dynamic operation allows the drone to optimize energy consumption by relying on external propulsion when available, while maintaining flight stability through coordinated control between the drone's flight control system and the transportation system.
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 system significantly increases the maximum travel distance and sustainability of drone flights, making drone transportation more practical for urban and intercity routes, and potentially replacing traditional road systems, especially in mountainous areas.
Implementation Method 1
Magnetic Levitation (Maglev as abbreviation for Magnetic Levitation) path system are defined as a system of carrier transportation that uses two sets of magnets, one set to repel and push the carrier above Maglev path up off in the air slightly, and another set to move the elevated Maglev carrier ahead, taking advantage of the lack of friction.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated engineering system including multiple drones and an Electro-Mechanical drone transportation system for a new method of aviation flight transportation by the drones. These drones can be used either for passenger transportation or for parcel delivery. These drones may fly to land onto or fly to attach to carriers of the Electro-Mechanical drone transportation system then travel a distance with the carriers as unified objects. This integrated engineering system facilitates a novel method of aviation flight transportation by drones by uplifting a limit of maximum travel distance of the drones, hence making those drones a more practical tool for future aviation transportation within a city or between the cities. The Electro-Mechanical drone transportation system may include multiple routes to form a complicated transportation network to increase the number of potential destinations for the drones.