Powered Drone Tether With Aerial Reconnection for Continuous Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drone tether systems lack a self-powered, rechargeable drone capability that allows for extended operation without landing, as they are limited by tether length and require manual reconnection, which can be impractical and prone to entanglement or damage.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a rechargeable drone, a tether drone, and a base station with a powered tether and tether deployment system, where the tether transmits both power and data, and a coupling mechanism such as an electromagnet or mechanical binding mechanism allows the tether drone to lift and reconnect the rechargeable drone, enabling continuous operation and reliable recharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a traditional tethered drone system is used with fixed tether length, then the drone can maintain power supply, but the operation range is limited and manual reconnection is required which is prone to entanglement or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tether management into two independent drones: a tether drone that carries and manages the tether, and a rechargeable drone that performs surveillance. This segmentation allows the tether drone to control tether deployment and retraction, eliminating manual reconnection issues while extending the rechargeable drone's operation range.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether drone acts as an intermediary between the base station and the rechargeable drone. It carries the powered tether and uses a coupling mechanism (electromagnet or mechanical binding) to automatically connect and disconnect the rechargeable drone, serving as a mediator that resolves the contradiction between extended range and reliable reconnection.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the drone lands for recharging, then the battery can be recharged, but the operation continuity is interrupted and landing on moving platforms is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rechargeable drone remains airborne and continues its surveillance mission while being recharged. The tether drone maintains the connection and supplies power through the powered tether, eliminating the need for landing and ensuring continuous operation without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables autonomous aerial recharging where the rechargeable drone stays in flight and receives power automatically through the tether connection managed by the tether drone. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual landing and takeoff operations, maintaining operation continuity.
3Device complexity
If a single drone with solar panels and battery is used, then the system is simpler, but the drone cannot be recharged in flight and is limited by battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the surveillance function (rechargeable drone with camera and transmitter) from the power supply function (tether drone with powered tether and base station connection). This segmentation allows the surveillance drone to operate indefinitely without being constrained by onboard battery capacity, while the overall system remains modular and manageable.
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 continuous operation of the drone without landing, improves recharging reliability by allowing the tether drone to manage tether reconnection, and simplifies landing on moving platforms, enhancing surveillance capabilities with persistent power and data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling mechanism between the tether drone and the rechargeable drone is an electromagnet, an electroplate, permanent magnet, or a mechanical binding mechanism.
Implementation Method 2
the tether transmits both power and data
Data Source
AI summary
Battery powered quadrotors or drones have a limited operation time. To extend operation time, a powered tether can be used. This tether provides power to the drone allowing it to stay up indefinitely. Most tethered drones are captured to the base station. The tether can reel in and out as the drone moves, but the drone can't go higher or further than the maximum length of the tether. If the tether can be automatically disconnected, the drone could fly off for some remote mission, assuming the drone had an onboard power source such as rechargeable batteries. The present invention relates to a self-powered drone tether that comprises a rechargeable drone in flight which is referred to as the rechargeable drone, a drone that carries a powered tether which is referred to as the tether drone, a coupling mechanism between the rechargeable drone and the tether drone, and a base station with a powered tether and tether deployment system.