Propeller Phase Adjustment for UAV Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face design complexities due to the need to balance stability, maneuverability, and energy efficiency, and experience vibrations and forces during operation that can adversely affect their structure and components, particularly when equipped with multiple propulsion mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hexagonal ring wing design with six propulsion mechanisms oriented at different angles, allowing for active vibration control through phase adjustment of propellers to minimize or modify vibrations, using sensors and state estimators to measure and adjust rotational rates and drag, thereby reducing adverse forces and enhancing operational safety and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple propulsion mechanisms are used to improve maneuverability and stability, then vehicle performance is enhanced, but vibrations and adverse forces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration principles by using the propulsion mechanisms to generate controlled vibrations that counteract adverse forces. The system measures vibrations with sensors and adjusts propeller phases to create canceling vibrations, effectively using vibration against vibration to reduce net harmful effects on the vehicle structure and components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by dynamically adjusting the phase relationships between multiple propellers. By modifying the rotational phase of individual propellers relative to others, the system alters the vibration characteristics and force vectors to achieve cancellation of asymmetric forces while maintaining thrust and stability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If propeller phases are adjusted to reduce vibrations, then harmful forces are minimized, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously measuring vibrations with sensors and using this information to adjust propeller phases in real-time. The control system receives vibration data, processes it to determine optimal phase adjustments, and commands the propulsion mechanisms accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that automatically minimizes adverse forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the sensors and propulsion mechanisms. It receives raw vibration data from sensors, processes this information through state estimators and control algorithms, and translates it into phase adjustment commands for the propellers, mediating between measurement and actuation.
3Measurement precision
If sensors and state estimators are added to measure and control vibrations, then vibration control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system practices self-service by using its own sensors and control mechanisms to monitor and correct its own vibrations. The UAV measures its own vibrational state, processes this information through onboard state estimators, and autonomously adjusts its propeller phases to minimize adverse forces, making the system self-regulating without external intervention.
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
This solution effectively reduces vibrations and forces affecting UAVs, improving safety, reliability, and operational efficiency by canceling out asymmetric forces and allowing for precise control during takeoff, landing, and other critical operations, while also enabling the detection of faults and removal of debris or foreign materials.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of propulsion mechanisms (102) spaced about a fuselage (110) of the aerial vehicle
Implementation Method 2
respective phases of one or more of the plurality of propulsion mechanisms (102) are adjusted to modify one or more vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods to actively control vibrations affecting an aerial vehicle are described. Vibrations affecting a location of interest on an aerial vehicle may be measured, and phases of one or more propellers of the aerial vehicle may be determined. Based on the measured vibrations and determined phases of propellers, adjustments to the phases of the propellers may be determined to modify the vibrations affecting the location of interest. In this manner, vibrations at a location of interest on an aerial vehicle may be reduced, minimized, increased, induced, or otherwise modified as desired.