Drone Thermal Container Energy Control for Temperature Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal containers used in drone transport of special materials like organic and medical materials fail to reliably maintain precise temperature conditions, especially under varying external climatic conditions and extended flight times, as they do not account for energy consumption related to temperature maintenance, posing risks in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Innovation Solution
A thermal container integrated with a control unit, insulating casing, temperature sensors, and a thermal unit that calculates and adjusts energy usage for both motor and temperature control, allowing real-time monitoring and modification of temperature and energy levels, enabling the drone to assess and adjust mission parameters to ensure compliance with thermal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If simple insulating containers are used for thermal transport, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control reliability deteriorates under varying climatic conditions and extended flight times
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically monitors temperature via sensors and activates the thermal unit only when needed to maintain the predetermined temperature range, allowing the system to self-regulate without constant external intervention while ensuring reliable temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of the thermal unit based on real-time temperature measurements and environmental conditions, changing operational parameters (activation/d deactivation) to maintain temperature reliability without requiring complex continuous control mechanisms
2Productivity
If extended flight times are implemented to increase transport autonomy, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases making temperature maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal unit operates periodically rather than continuously - the control unit monitors temperature and activates the thermal unit only when the temperature deviates from the predetermined range, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining temperature control during extended flights
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors provide continuous feedback to the control unit, which adjusts thermal unit operation accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures energy is consumed only when necessary to maintain temperature, enabling extended flight times without compromising thermal conditions
3Reliability
If thermal unit is continuously activated to maintain temperature, then temperature control reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases reducing flight autonomy
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal unit operates periodically based on actual temperature needs rather than continuously. The control unit monitors temperature and activates the thermal unit only when the predetermined temperature range is approached or exceeded, maintaining reliability while conserving energy for extended flight duration
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
The thermal container ensures reliable maintenance of predetermined temperature conditions during drone transport by dynamically managing energy usage, allowing for real-time evaluation of energy sufficiency and adaptive strategies to ensure mission success, thereby enhancing compliance with regulatory standards and extending autonomy in drone operations.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating casing (110) comprising at least one layer of heat-insulating material
Implementation Method 2
a thermal unit (130) arranged to adjust or keep constant the value of temperature Tint
Implementation Method 3
a thermal unit (130) arranged to adjust or keep constant the value of temperature Tint
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A thermal container (100) for carrying a load at a controlled temperature, said thermal container (100) arranged to be constrained in a removable way to a drone structure (200) comprising at least one motor (210) arranged to move the drone structure (200) and an energy unit arranged to deliver electric energy. The thermal container (100) comprises a control unit, an insulating casing (110) comprising at least one layer of heat-insulating material, at least one inner temperature sensor configured to measure a value of temperature Tint internal to the insulating casing (110), at least one outer temperature sensor configured to measure a value of temperature Text external to the insulating casing (110), a thermal unit arranged to adjust or keep constant the value of temperature Tint· The control unit is adapted to carry out an acquisition of a flight mission comprising a landing position of the drone structure (200), a time limit tmax to reach the landing position and a condition on the values of the temperature Tint to keep during the flight mission. The control unit is also adapted for carrying out an acquisition of the temperature values Tint and Text, an acquisition of a value of energy Eres available in said energy unit, a calculation of a value of energy Eeng to provide to said at least one motor (210) for bringing the drone structure (200) in the landing position in time limit tmax, a calculation of a value of energy Eterm to provide to the thermal unit in order to respect the condition on the values of the temperature Tint to keep during the flight mission, a calculation of a value of overall energy Emis=Eeng+ Eterm necessary to complete the flight mission, a comparison between the values of energy Eres and Emis. [Fig.1,3]