Drone Gas Sensor Calibration via Propeller Air Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
External gas sensors on drones are exposed to uneven and uncontrollable air flow, reducing detection sensitivity and failing to harness the drone's flight characteristics for improved gas detection.
Innovation Solution
The method involves calibrating internal gas sensors within drones using diverted propeller air flow or flight-induced air flow, with reference sensors measuring known atmospheric gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide, and adjusting air flow parameters such as speed and pressure to enhance sensitivity and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gas sensors are placed externally on drones, then the sensors can be easily installed and maintained, but the sensors are exposed to uneven and uncontrollable air flow which reduces detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The gas sensor is nested within the drone body, specifically positioned in the propeller air flow path. This internal placement protects the sensor from external environmental disturbances while maintaining easy access for installation and maintenance through the drone's structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the drone's propeller-generated air flow to actively deliver gas samples to the internal sensor. The propeller creates a controlled pneumatic system that draws ambient air through the sensor location, ensuring consistent and sensitive detection without requiring external sensor placement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gas sensors are placed externally on drones, then the sensors can directly expose to ambient air, but the sensors fail to harness the drone's flight characteristics to increase gas detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is positioned to utilize the drone's propeller air flow, converting the drone's flight characteristics into a beneficial pneumatic system. The propeller's rotation creates negative pressure that actively draws ambient air through the sensor, enhancing detection sensitivity by leveraging the drone's own operational characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone's propeller system serves dual purposes: propulsion and gas sampling. The same propeller that provides thrust also generates the air flow necessary to deliver gas samples to the sensor, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for separate sampling mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If gas sensors are placed internally within drones, then the sensors benefit from controlled air flow and improved sensitivity, but the sensors require extensive calibration across varying flight conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is positioned at a specific location within the drone where it experiences a relatively consistent air flow environment despite varying flight conditions. This strategic parameter selection (sensor placement location) minimizes the impact of flight condition variations, reducing calibration complexity while maintaining high sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a calibration gas source that can be introduced to the sensor during flight. This feedback mechanism allows for in-situ calibration, where known concentrations of calibration gas are delivered to the sensor through the same air flow path, enabling real-time adjustment and validation of sensor readings without extensive ground-based calibration.
4Measurement precision
If reference gases with known atmospheric concentration are used for calibration, then the calibration process becomes simpler and more reliable, but additional reference sensors and gases increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The reference gas system is integrated into the existing air flow and sensor platform. The same propeller-driven air flow mechanism that delivers ambient gas samples also delivers calibration gases to the sensor. This multi-functionality allows calibration without requiring separate delivery systems, minimizing additional complexity while maintaining high calibration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone's existing air flow system serves the dual purpose of both sampling ambient gases for detection and delivering calibration gases to the sensor. This self-service approach eliminates the need for dedicated calibration gas delivery mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring reliable calibration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for calibrating a target gas sensor inside a drone comprises receiving air flow at the target sensor due to least one of diverted propeller air flow or diverted air flow caused by drone flight, measuring a concentration of the target gas, receiving equivalent air flow at a sensor of at least one reference gas having known atmospheric concentration positioned in or on the drone, measuring a concentration of the at least one reference gas, and calibrating the measured concentration of the target gas based on the measured concentration of the at least one reference gas.