Flying Device Cooling System With Low-Mounted Pump

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing flying apparatuses lack an effective cooling system to water-cool the driver (engine) efficiently, especially when the posture tilts during flight, leading to disrupted coolant circulation.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system is implemented with a pump located at the lower portion of the main body assembly, connected via pipes to the driver and radiators, ensuring smooth coolant circulation even during tilts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the pump is mounted on the upper portion of the main body assembly, then the pump can be easily installed and accessed, but the coolant circulation is disrupted when the flying apparatus tilts during flight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump installation and accessVSAvoidcoolant circulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional mounting position of the pump by placing it at the lower portion of the main body assembly instead of the upper portion. This inversion resolves the technical contradiction by ensuring that the pump remains at the lowest point regardless of the flying apparatus's tilt angle, maintaining reliable coolant circulation while still being accessible for installation and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the equipotentiality principle by positioning the pump at the lower portion of the main body assembly, creating a gravitational equipotential position that ensures the pump is always at the lowest point. This positioning ensures that coolant can consistently flow into the pump inlet regardless of the apparatus's orientation during flight, maintaining circulation reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

2Temperature

If a cooling system is added to water-cool the driver, then the driver cooling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver cooling efficiencyVSAvoidcooling system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the universality principle by designing the cooling system with a pump that serves multiple functions: it circulates coolant for driver cooling, maintains proper coolant flow direction during tilting, and is positioned to leverage gravitational forces. This multi-functional design achieves effective driver cooling while minimizing additional system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the cooling system components (pump, cooler, and connecting pipes) into an integrated assembly that works as a unified system. The pump is positioned to naturally align with the cooler and driver, creating a compact configuration that achieves effective cooling without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 system effectively water-cools the driver by maintaining smooth coolant circulation, enhancing the flying apparatus's stability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a cooler to cool a coolant supplied to the driver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a pump to circulate the coolant between the cooler and the driver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP4644266A1Flying device
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4644266A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4644266A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4644266A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a flying apparatus which can water-cool a driver to drive a rotor, and which can smoothly circulate cooling water, even if the posture of the flying apparatus tilts during flight. A flying apparatus (1) includes: a main body assembly (6), an arm (7) extending from the main body assembly, a rotor (3) attached to the arm; a driver (4) to drive the rotor, and a cooling system (90) to water-cool the driver. The cooling system includes: a cooler (40) to cool a coolant supplied to the driver; and a pump (66) to cause the coolant to circulate between the cooler and the driver. The pump is located below the main body assembly.