UAV Vegetation Trimming With Independent Blade Jam Reversal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vegetation trimming methods, such as manual trimming and helicopter-based systems, are inefficient, dangerous, and prone to operational malfunctions, particularly due to blade jams, which require helicopters to land and risk pilot safety.

Innovation Solution

An unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) equipped with a multi-directional saw assembly, where each saw is powered by a separate electrical motor, allowing independent control of blade rotation direction and equipped with control modules for in-flight management of operational conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single motor source powers all blades, then the device complexity is reduced, but blade jamming occurs more frequently and requires helicopter landing for manual correction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower source configurationVSAvoidblade operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single motor source into multiple independent motor sources, with each blade having its own dedicated motor. This segmentation allows each blade to operate independently and be controlled individually, resolving the contradiction by maintaining low system complexity while significantly improving blade operation reliability through independent failure isolation and reversal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If helicopter is used for high speed trimming, then productivity is improved, but safety risk increases due to pilot exposure in remote areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevegetation trimming speedVSAvoidpilot safety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the helicopter-based mechanical system with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system. This substitution eliminates the pilot safety risk while maintaining the high-speed trimming capability, as the UAV can operate autonomously or be remotely controlled, removing the human element from the hazardous environment while preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If manual trimming is performed, then safety is improved by eliminating helicopter risks, but productivity decreases due to slow manual operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidvegetation trimming rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an unmanned aerial vehicle that autonomously performs the trimming operations without human operators in the hazardous environment. The UAV system serves itself by integrating navigation, blade control, and trimming execution capabilities, thereby eliminating safety risks to human operators while maintaining high productivity through automated high-speed operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If blades rotate in the same direction, then the device complexity is reduced, but operational reliability decreases when jamming occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade control systemVSAvoidcontinuous operation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic blade control where each blade's rotation direction can be independently adjusted based on operational conditions. When jamming is detected, the affected blade can be reversed individually while other blades continue operating. This dynamic adaptability maintains reliability by allowing continuous operation with partial blade functionality, while the independent control mechanisms keep the overall system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 safety and efficiency by enabling in-flight resolution of blade jams without landing, reducing downtime and operator risk, while maintaining continuous vegetation trimming operations.

Implementation Method 1

each of the saws individually powered by separate electrical motor sources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The control modules measure operating conditions associated with the AEV, including operating conditions of the rotation of the blades, including detection of irregular operations such as a blade being jammed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 3

the AEV may reverse polarity of a jammed or non-functioning blade to remove any debris obscuring normal operation(s)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical polarity reversal:

Data Source

PatentUS20250374866A1Unmanned aerial vehicle and control module for vegetation trimming

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 XYLEM I LLC

AI summary

An unmanned aerial vehicle having a petrochemical-based engine powering at least one rotational blade for achieving flight provides for improved vegetation removal. The AEV includes a power transformer connected to the engine, the transformer generating electrical power from the operation of the engine and a plurality of electrically-powered blade units, each unit having a blade powered by a motor. In the AEV, a plurality of electrical connectors provide for transferring the electrical power generated by the transformer to each of the electrical motors of the blade units for causing circular rotation of the corresponding blade such that unmanned aerial vehicle is operative to trim the vegetation using the plurality of blade units powered by the engine.