UAV Pitot Tube Self-Checking and Pipe Clearing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Pitot tube devices used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) cannot automatically detect abnormalities or blockages, leading to potential flight speed detection errors and accidents, as these issues are only identified after takeoff and do not have a mechanism for automatic obstruction removal.
Innovation Solution
A wind speed detection system for UAVs featuring a pipe body with alternative pipes and a suction pump, along with a controller and solenoid valves, which performs self-checking, normality checks, and pipe clearing operations to determine system normalcy and clear obstructions automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional Pitot tube device is used for wind speed detection, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot automatically detect abnormalities or blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe body is divided into multiple segments including a first pipe, a second pipe, a first alternative pipe, and a second alternative pipe. Each segment serves a specific function: the first pipe and second pipe are used for normal wind speed detection, while the alternative pipes are used for self-checking operations. This segmentation allows the system to perform self-diagnosis without requiring a completely separate detection system, thereby improving reliability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-checking operations before actual wind speed detection to detect potential blockages or abnormalities in advance. The controller activates the suction pump to suck air through the alternative pipes and compares the pressure differential with expected values, identifying blockages before they affect flight operations. This preliminary action prevents undetected failures during critical flight phases.
2Productivity
If the Pitot tube device lacks automatic obstruction removal, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own suction pump to clear blockages in the pipes during self-checking operations. When a blockage is detected in the first or second pipe, the controller activates the suction pump to suck air through the alternative pipes in reverse direction, clearing the obstruction automatically. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external intervention or complex manual clearing mechanisms, improving productivity and safety while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
3Reliability
If blockages are detected only after takeoff, then the detection system is simple, but the loss of time and safety are significantly impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is programmed to automatically perform self-checking operations at predetermined times, including before takeoff and during flight at intervals. These preliminary checks detect blockages in the first and second pipes before they can cause flight safety issues. By performing detection in advance rather than reactively, the system eliminates the time loss associated with post-takeoff detection and potential emergency landings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors wind speed detection values and compares them against expected ranges. When a value falls outside the normal range, the controller triggers a self-checking operation to verify whether a blockage has occurred. This feedback mechanism ensures timely detection of abnormalities and enables immediate corrective action, preventing the propagation of undetected errors that would occur with delayed detection after takeoff.
4Reliability
If alternative pipes and suction pump are added for self-checking, then the abnormality detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction pump serves multiple functions: it performs normal wind speed detection by sucking air through the first and second pipes, and it performs self-checking operations by sucking air through the alternative pipes to detect blockages. The alternative pipes are also multi-functional, serving both as test paths for self-checking and as clearance paths for removing blockages. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby improving reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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
Enables real-time wind speed detection and automatic pipe clearing, preventing flight anomalies by ensuring the system's normal operation and clearing blockages before takeoff, thereby enhancing safety and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the controller starts the suction pump to perform forward suction... measures a first air pressure through the first pipe and measures a second air pressure through the second pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A wind speed detection system and a wind speed detection method are provided. The wind speed detection system includes a pipe body and a controller. The pipe body comprises a pressure sensing module and a suction pump. The pressure sensing module is connected to a first opening through a first pipe and connected to a second opening through a second pipe. The first pipe has a main pipe. Two ends of a first alternative pipe are connected to two ends of the main pipe. When the controller performs a self-checking operation, the main pipe is closed and the first alternative pipe is opened. The controller starts the suction pump to perform forward suction. The controller measures a first air pressure through the first pipe and measures a second air pressure through the second pipe by the pressure sensing module. The controller calculates a reference wind speed value according to the first and second air pressures.