UAV Meteorological Sensing for Real-Time Wind Farm Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current meteorological data acquisition systems for wind farms, such as met masts and remote sensing devices, are costly, cumbersome, environmentally impactful, and suffer from installation and maintenance challenges, with met masts requiring significant resources and RS devices lacking accuracy in measuring critical parameters like humidity and temperature, leading to uncertain data.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned aerial system (UAS) comprising UAVs equipped with meteorological sensors and a control center for real-time data collection and processing, allowing precise measurement at intended locations without mathematical extrapolation, and incorporating tethered and fixed sensors for continuous data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If met masts are used for on-site weather monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but weight and installation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The met mast structure is divided into multiple transportable sections that can be assembled on-site. The mast consists of several lattice tower segments that can be transported separately and connected to form the complete structure, reducing the weight burden on any single transport operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A barge is used as an intermediary transport platform to move the met mast sections from land to the offshore installation site. The barge facilitates waterborne transport of the heavy mast components without requiring direct heavy-lift operations at the final destination.
2Measurement precision
If met masts are used for on-site weather monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the mast into sections reduces transportation and installation costs by allowing standard shipping containers and smaller cranes to be used rather than requiring specialized heavy-lift equipment for the entire structure at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The met mast is designed with a predetermined service life and can be replaced rather than permanently installed. This approach allows for cost-effective replacement of aging equipment without the need for complex removal and recycling processes, treating the structure as a temporary but reliable measurement platform.
3Measurement precision
If met masts are installed offshore, then measurement precision is improved, but installation complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The offshore met mast is divided into transportable sections that can be moved by barge to the installation site and then assembled using smaller, more readily available cranes rather than requiring massive heavy-lift equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The barge serves as an intermediary platform that simplifies offshore logistics by providing a stable base for assembling mast sections before final installation, reducing the need for complex coordinated operations between multiple vessels and cranes.
4Ease of manufacture
If remote sensing devices are used, then cost is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines remote sensing devices with traditional met mast structures to create a hybrid system. The met mast provides accurate point measurements of temperature, humidity, and pressure, while remote sensing devices provide broader spatial coverage, together creating a more comprehensive and cost-effective monitoring system than either approach alone.
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 UAS provides accurate, real-time meteorological data with reduced uncertainty, is cost-effective, and minimizes environmental impact, enabling flexible and efficient deployment and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The LiDAR 130 is a device that works based on laser technology, and measures the backscattered light from the atmosphere to determine atmospheric conditions.
Implementation Method 2
The SoDAR 140 is a wind profiling technology which works by measuring the scattering of sound waves or acoustic signals by atmospheric turbulence.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a method for obtaining meteorological data by a UAS (350, 450), the UAS (350, 450) comprises at least one UAV (301, 401), a control center (302, 402) and a wireless communication interface (307, 407). The UAV (301, 401) is equipped with a meteorological data sensor (320) and a flight controller (321), FC. The method comprises the control center (302, 402) sending (202) flight instruction data to the UAV (301, 401), and performing (204) flight. The UAV (301, 401) collects (206) raw meteorological data and flight data and transmits (208) the collected raw meteorological data and the flight data in real time to the control center (302, 402), the flight data being collected by any one of a position sensor, a motion sensor, an environment sensor and/or a combination thereof included in the FC (321). The control center (302, 402) calculates (210) meteorological data based on the received raw meteorological data and the flight data and sends (212) return instruction data. The at least one UAV (301, 401) returns to the UAS (350, 450) accordingly.