UAV Docking System for Automated Refueling and Data Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural management systems face inefficiencies in obtaining sensor data about large agricultural regions, leading to delayed identification of issues such as insect infestations, which can cause significant crop damage before corrective actions can be taken.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned aerial vehicle system comprising a base vehicle with a takeoff and landing system, a rack system for refueling and data transmission, and a controller that enables simultaneous refueling and data download, allowing for automated launch, retrieval, and coordinated flight of multiple UAVs to generate and analyze sensor data efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are placed on the land in the agricultural region to collect sensor data, then the quality and frequency of sensor data are improved, but the cost and maintenance requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that receives sensor data from multiple UAVs and consolidates it centrally. This intermediary architecture allows the system to maintain high measurement precision through multiple sensors while reducing overall device complexity by centralizing data processing and management functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple UAVs as mobile copies of the sensing platform, each equipped with sensors that replicate measurement capabilities. Instead of installing permanent sensor infrastructure across the entire agricultural region, the system deploys multiple portable sensing units that can be redistributed as needed, reducing permanent device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Area of stationary object
If manned aircraft are used to fly over the agricultural region and generate sensor data, then the coverage and data collection capability are improved, but the cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the agricultural region into multiple zones that can be covered by a fleet of smaller UAVs rather than requiring a single large manned aircraft. Each UAV independently covers a segment of the region, and the central system consolidates data from all segments, achieving full coverage while reducing operational complexity through automated control of multiple smaller units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manned aircraft operation with automated UAV control systems. The mechanical complexity of piloting, fuel management, and crew coordination is substituted with electronic control systems that can autonomously navigate and collect data, significantly reducing operational complexity while maintaining or improving coverage capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If unmanned aerial vehicles are used with manual launch and retrieval operations, then the cost compared to manned aircraft is reduced, but the personnel requirements and operational time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary positioning and preparation of UAVs at automated launch sites before missions begin. UAVs are pre-positioned and pre-configured at strategic locations within the agricultural region, allowing for rapid deployment without requiring lengthy manual preparation and retrieval operations, thus reducing operational time while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables UAVs to perform self-service functions including automated landing, self-charging at docking stations, and self-diagnosis. This eliminates the need for manual retrieval and extensive ground crew intervention, allowing UAVs to service themselves between missions and significantly reducing the time and personnel required for operational cycles.
4Reliability
If traditional sensor data collection systems are used, then the infrastructure is established, but the time to identify and respond to insect infestations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic automated monitoring flights by UAVs at predetermined intervals throughout the growing season. This periodic action ensures consistent surveillance of the agricultural region, enabling early detection of insect infestations before they spread, while maintaining the reliability of a structured monitoring program with scheduled operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where sensor data from UAVs is continuously analyzed by the central processing system, which then triggers targeted follow-up inspections or alert notifications when anomalies are detected. This feedback mechanism accelerates response time by immediately communicating infestation detection to appropriate personnel, while the overall periodic monitoring structure maintains infrastructure reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a base vehicle (210), a takeoff and landing system (212), a rack system (214), a refueling system (216) associated with the base vehicle (210), and a controller (238). The rack system (214) comprises a group of racks (400) with slots (224) in which the slots (224) receive unmanned aerial vehicles (220), provide refueling connections (226) that facilitate refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicles (220) located in the slots (224), and provide data connections (228) that facilitate data transmission with the unmanned aerial vehicles (220) located in the slots (224). The refueling system (216) refuels an unmanned aerial vehicle (230)located in a slot (232) using a refueling connection in the refueling connections (226). The controller (238) communicates with the unmanned aerial vehicle (230) using a data connection and control the refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicles (220) by the refueling system (216) while the unmanned aerial vehicle (230) is in the slot (232), enabling exchanging data with the unmanned aerial vehicle (230) and the refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicle (230) simultaneously.