UAV Fleet Power Balancing via Inter-Vehicle Energy Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring geographic areas is time-consuming and costly due to the limitations of existing technologies in efficiently utilizing unmanned vehicles for task performance and tool system management.
Innovation Solution
The system employs unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with a universal coupler and communication bus, allowing interchangeable tool systems for various tasks, such as sensing, imaging, and chemical dispensing, and utilizes a central control system for task coordination and power management across multiple UAVs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple unmanned vehicles are used to monitor geographic areas, then productivity and coverage area are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power sources (solar panels, wind turbines, fuel cells) into a hybrid power system that serves the entire fleet of unmanned vehicles. This merging approach allows power to be shared and balanced across multiple vehicles, improving overall monitoring productivity while managing total power consumption through centralized control and inter-vehicle energy transfer.
2Duration of action of moving object
If unmanned vehicles operate for extended durations, then monitoring coverage and data collection are improved, but power resources are depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary power generation by equipping unmanned vehicles with solar panels and wind turbines that continuously generate electricity during operation. This preliminary action of generating power before complete depletion occurs, combined with hybrid power systems and inter-vehicle energy transfer, extends operational duration while preventing total power exhaustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements power recovery mechanisms where unmanned vehicles transfer excess electrical energy to other vehicles in the fleet that have lower power levels. This recovering and redistributing of power resources extends the operational duration of individual vehicles by utilizing energy that would otherwise be wasted or underutilized.
3Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable tool systems are used on unmanned vehicles, then adaptability and task flexibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal coupler design that can interface with multiple different tool systems (sensors, cameras, chemical dispensers, etc.). This universal interface approach allows a single unmanned vehicle to perform diverse monitoring tasks by simply changing tools, improving adaptability while managing device complexity through standardized connection mechanisms and modular architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, unmanned aerial task systems are provided that comprise multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) each comprising: a UAV control circuit; a motor; and a propulsion system coupled with the motor and configured to enable the respective UAVs to move themselves; and wherein a first UAV control circuit of a first UAV of the multiple UAVs is configured to access power level data corresponding to each of the multiple UAVs, and select a second UAV of the multiple UAVs based at least in part on a power level of the second UAV relative to a threshold power level corresponding to a first task to be performed and a predicted power usage by the second UAV while utilizing a first tool system temporarily cooperated with the second UAV in performing the first task.