UAV Barometric Altimeter Pressure Tap Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) experience pressure perturbations due to propeller downwash when near a surface, leading to false altitude measurements by barometric altimeters, causing control issues during landing and takeoff, as the altimeters are exposed to compressed air pressure, resulting in erratic flight behaviors.
Innovation Solution
A structure with a proximal portion encompassing the barometric altimeter and a distal portion that channels ambient air pressure undisturbed by propeller downwash, ensuring accurate altitude readings by isolating the altimeter from pressure perturbations, which can be implemented using flexible or rigid tubes, chimney-like structures, or remote chambers to expose the altimeter to unperturbed air pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the barometric altimeter is exposed to ambient air pressure near the propellers, then the altimeter can measure atmospheric pressure, but the propeller downwash creates pressure perturbations that cause false altitude measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tube structure as an intermediary element that connects the barometric altimeter to a remote chamber positioned away from the propeller downwash zone. This intermediary channel allows the altimeter to indirectly sense ambient atmospheric pressure from an undisturbed location, eliminating the harmful pressure perturbations while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the pressure sensing function from the immediate vicinity of the propellers by positioning the remote chamber at a location undisturbed by downwash. The tube structure separates the sensing location from the disturbance source, allowing the altimeter to measure pressure from a remote, undisturbed environment while the propellers operate normally.
2Device complexity
If the barometric altimeter is positioned on the integrated circuit board for simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but the altimeter becomes vulnerable to pressure perturbations from propeller downwash
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the pressure sensing in a spatial dimension by introducing a tube that connects the circuit board location to a remote chamber positioned in a different spatial zone (away from propeller downwash). This dimensional extension allows the system to maintain simple integration on the circuit board while accessing pressure data from a reliable, undisturbed location through the tubular connection.
3Manufacturing precision
If the tube structure is made rigid for structural stability, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the structure becomes less adaptable to different UAV configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible tube structure that can dynamically adapt its shape and position to accommodate different UAV configurations and mounting locations. This flexible yet structurally stable tube maintains manufacturing precision through controlled flexibility, allowing the same component to be adapted to various airframe designs without requiring rigid, configuration-specific custom parts.
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 solution effectively reduces the impact of pressure perturbations on barometric altimeters, providing stable and accurate altitude data, thereby improving UAV control systems by minimizing unnecessary altitude adjustments during landing and takeoff.
Implementation Method 1
channel to the barometric altimeter a second ambient air pressure that is distributed less than the first air pressure by the downwash from the propellers
Data Source
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AI summary
Various embodiments include a structure configured to at least partially expose a barometric altimeter of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to air pressure at a location on the UAV where there is reduced pressure perturbations caused by downwash of propellers. The structure may include a proximal portion configured to encompass a barometric altimeter of a circuit board of the UAV. The proximal portion may form at least a partial barrier between the barometric altimeter and a first ambient air pressure that is disturbed by a downwash from propellers of the UAV during flight of the UAV. The structure may also include a distal portion extending away from the barometric altimeter, with the distal portion configured to channel to the barometric altimeter a second ambient air pressure that is disturbed less than the first ambient air pressure by the downwash from propellers of the UAV during flight of the UAV.