Shielded UAV Housing and Propeller Guards for High-Voltage Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

UAVs are insufficiently protected against powerful electromagnetic fields, particularly near high or very high voltage lines, where they can be vulnerable to electric arcs and interference, compromising their stability and precision.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates an electrically conductive strip around the structural elements of motorized propellers and a conductive housing to provide both mechanical and electromagnetic protection, ensuring the UAV's components are shielded from intense electromagnetic fields.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the UAV uses standard mechanical protection for propellers, then maneuverability and responsiveness are improved, but vulnerability to electric arcs and electromagnetic fields increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidprotection against electric arcs
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining mechanical protection elements with electromagnetic shielding materials. The conductive coating is applied to the mechanical protection structural elements, creating a composite structure that provides both mechanical protection and electromagnetic shielding functionality in a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive coating acts as an intermediary layer between the mechanical protection structural element and the external electromagnetic environment. This intermediate layer deflects electric arcs and shields the internal components from electromagnetic fields while maintaining the mechanical protection function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the UAV approaches high voltage lines for monitoring, then application value is improved, but exposure to powerful electromagnetic fields and electric arcs increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication capabilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic field exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful electromagnetic fields and electric arcs into a beneficial shielding effect. The conductive coating on the mechanical protection elements acts as a Faraday cage, using the same electromagnetic fields that pose a threat to deflect and redirect them away from sensitive internal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive coating provides preliminary protection by deflecting electric arcs before they can reach internal components. The coating is positioned on the outer surface of mechanical protection elements, creating a first line of defense against electromagnetic hazards before the UAV's components are exposed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If the UAV incorporates conductive shielding around propellers, then protection against electromagnetic fields is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic shieldingVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the mechanical protection function and electromagnetic shielding function into a single integrated structure. The conductive coating is applied directly to the mechanical protection structural elements, combining two protective functions into one component rather than adding separate shielding structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical protection structural elements serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical protection for the propellers and simultaneously serve as electromagnetic shielding structures through the conductive coating. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

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

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 protects the UAV's electronic equipment and propellers from electric arcs and electromagnetic interference, allowing safe operation near electrical substations and high-voltage lines, enhancing maneuverability and responsiveness.

Implementation Method 1

an electrically conductive strip connected to the conductive wall of the housing extends around the periphery of each mechanical propeller protection structural element... protect this electronic equipment from any electromagnetic field external to the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP3969366B1Unmanned aerial vehicle having an electromagnetically shielded housing and a mechanically protected wing
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 RTE RESEAU DE TRANSPORT DELECTRICITE
  • EP3969366B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3969366B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3969366B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle (10) comprising an autonomous power supply source (12), a housing (14), in the internal volume of which is arranged electronic equipment which is electrically powered by the power source (12), at least one rotary wing (16A, 16B, 16C, 16D) having a motorized propeller (32A, 32B, 32C, 32D) for maintaining the electronic equipment in flight by propulsion or levitation on remote control, and, for each motorized propeller (32A, 32B, 32C, 32D), a mechanical protection structural element (34A, 34B, 34C, 34D). The housing (14) comprises an electrically conductive wall extending so as to protect this electronic equipment from any electromagnetic field external to the housing (14). An electrically conductive strip electrically connected to the conductive wall of the housing (14) extends around each structural element (34A, 34B, 34C, 34D) for the mechanical protection of the propeller.