HALE UAV Flight Control for Sun-Tracking Solar Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in maximizing solar energy capture, particularly when the Sun is low on the horizon or during cloudy conditions, which can lead to undesired weight from additional batteries and hinder performance.
Innovation Solution
Adjusting the flight speed and angle of the UAV relative to the Sun to optimize solar array exposure, using a flight control computer to manage airspeed and angle to maximize solar capture, and switching to battery power when solar energy is limited.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If additional batteries are added to extend flight duration, then flight duration is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar array is made dynamically adjustable in angle relative to the UAV body, allowing it to optimize its orientation toward the sun during flight. This dynamic adjustment maximizes solar energy capture without requiring additional weight-bearing components, thereby extending operational duration without increasing aircraft weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the solar array by adjusting its angular position based on sun location. This parameter adjustment enables the solar array to capture maximum energy throughout different phases of flight, effectively extending flight duration without adding battery weight.
2Use of energy by moving object
If solar array angle is adjusted to maximize capture, then solar energy capture is improved, but flight control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flight control system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it controls both the primary flight operations and the solar array orientation. By integrating solar array control into the existing flight control computer, the system achieves multi-functionality without adding separate dedicated control systems, thus managing complexity while maximizing energy capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the UAV's own flight control computer to manage solar array orientation, eliminating the need for external or separate control mechanisms. The flight control system automatically adjusts the solar array based on sun position data, enabling self-service operation that simplifies overall system architecture.
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
Enhances solar energy capture efficiency by optimizing flight patterns and angles, allowing prolonged flight without additional batteries, thus maintaining performance and reducing weight-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
a solar array onboard the UAV may capture solar energy and propel the UAV by applying the solar power to a motor
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods including at least one flight control computer (FCC) associated with at least one UAV, where the at least one FCC is configured to: determine a direction of travel of the at least one UAV relative to the Sun; adjust a UAV airspeed to a first airspeed if the determined direction of travel is towards the Sun; and adjust the UAV airspeed to a second airspeed if the determined direction of travel is away the Sun; where the first airspeed is greater than the second airspeed to maximize solar capture of a solar array covering at least a portion of the UAV.