Robotic Aircraft Charging With Itinerary-Based Pairing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges exist in efficiently landing, charging, and storing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft in densely populated urban environments, which require less space for take-off and landing but present difficulties in integration with existing transportation networks.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing robotic charging devices and a computing system to intelligently pair aircraft with charging devices based on transportation itineraries and energy parameters, enabling automatic connection and charging of aircraft batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual charging processes are used for VTOL aircraft, then operational flexibility is maintained, but charging efficiency and aircraft turnaround time are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic charging device autonomously performs charging operations without human intervention. The system automatically navigates to the aircraft, establishes electrical connection, monitors charging parameters, and manages the entire charging process independently, thereby improving charging efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through automation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical charging operations with an automated robotic system that uses sensors, actuators, and control algorithms to perform charging tasks. This substitution of mechanical human operations with automated systems resolves the contradiction by improving productivity through consistent, rapid charging while managing complexity through integrated control systems
2Loss of time
If rapid charging is implemented to reduce aircraft downtime, then charging speed increases, but battery health and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic charging device continuously monitors battery parameters such as voltage, current, temperature, and charge state during the charging process. This real-time feedback enables the system to adjust charging rates dynamically, ensuring rapid charging when battery health permits while preventing damage when limits are approached, thus resolving the contradiction between charging speed and battery reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system employs dynamic charging parameters that adapt in real-time based on battery condition. The robotic device modifies charging current and voltage levels during the charging cycle according to battery state of charge and health indicators, enabling fast charging during safe operating windows while protecting battery longevity, thereby balancing downtime reduction with reliability maintenance
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charging devices are deployed to serve multiple aircraft, then charging capacity increases, but system complexity and coordination difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic charging device is designed with universal capabilities to service multiple aircraft types and models. The system can adapt to different aircraft configurations, charging port locations, and power requirements, allowing a single device type to serve multiple functions and aircraft, thereby increasing charging capacity without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time communication and feedback mechanisms between multiple robotic charging devices and the aircraft they serve. Each device reports status, charge rate, and operational parameters back to the aircraft and coordinating system, enabling automatic coordination and load balancing that manages multi-device complexity while maximizing overall charging capacity
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a system for charging an aircraft can include a robotic charging device, and a computing system configured to obtain data associated with a transportation itinerary and energy parameter(s) of the aircraft. The data associated with the transportation itinerary can be indicative of an aircraft landing facility at which the aircraft is to be located. The computing system can determine (e.g., select) a robotic charging device from among a plurality of robotic charging devices for charging the aircraft based on the transportation itinerary data and energy parameter(s) of the aircraft; determine charging parameter(s) for the robotic charging device based on the transportation itinerary data; and communicate command instruction(s) for the robotic charging device to charge the aircraft according to the charging parameter(s). The robotic charging device can be configured to automatically connect with a charging area of the aircraft for charging a battery onboard the aircraft.