UAV Reel Launch System for Agricultural Crop Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mechanical booms for agricultural and other industries face limitations in size, scope, and flexibility, particularly in adjusting to varying terrain and vegetation patterns, and existing unmanned aerial vehicle systems for material dispensing and crop extraction require improvements in nesting, launching, and material application methods.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing reels and tethers to launch and retrieve unmanned aerial vehicles, which are equipped with electric-ducted fans and a semi-flexible carrier for material dispensing and crop extraction, allowing dynamic adjustment of boom length and flight patterns for efficient coverage and autonomous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If conventional mechanical booms are used for material dispensing, then coverage area can be increased, but weight and structural complexity increase proportionally

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidboom weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the material dispensing function into multiple independent unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that operate separately. Each UAV carries its own material supply and dispensing mechanism, replacing the single large mechanical boom with multiple small autonomous units that collectively cover the same area with reduced individual weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical boom structure with an aerial system using flying vehicles. Instead of extending a physical mechanical boom to increase coverage area, the system uses UAVs that can fly to different positions and dispense material aerially, substituting mechanical extension with aerial mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If mechanical booms are extended to cover larger areas, then coverage increases, but the boom becomes less flexible in adjusting to terrain variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidterrain adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static mechanical boom to dynamic unmanned aerial vehicles that can independently adjust their position, altitude, and flight path. Each UAV can respond in real-time to terrain variations, providing adaptability that rigid mechanical booms cannot achieve while maintaining large coverage area through coordinated operation of multiple vehicles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Each UAV is equipped with autonomous navigation and terrain-following capabilities, allowing individual vehicles to independently adapt to terrain conditions without requiring complex mechanical adjustments. The UAVs self-regulate their flight parameters to maintain optimal dispensing height and angle over varying terrain while covering large areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If unmanned aerial vehicles are used for material dispensing, then flexibility and coverage are improved, but nesting and launching complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidnesting and launching complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple UAVs into a single integrated system that shares common control, power supply, and material storage. The vehicles can nest together in a compact configuration for transport and launch sequentially from a single platform, reducing the overall nesting and launching complexity compared to managing completely independent vehicles while maintaining the flexibility benefits of multiple aerial units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 efficient and flexible material dispensing and crop extraction over large areas with reduced weight and complexity, accommodating irregular terrains and vegetation patterns, and reduces the burden on operators through autonomous navigation and adjustable flight paths.

Implementation Method 1

A method includes rotating a reel having a tether and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle wound thereabout to unwind the tether, and launching the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle as the tether unwinds from the reel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Data Source

PatentUS11628934B2Reel system for an unmanned aerial vehicle and related methods

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 AGCO CORP

AI summary

A system comprising a reel, a tether configured to be wound about the reel, and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle attached to the tether. When unmanned aerial vehicle is at rest, the unmanned aerial vehicle resides on the reel. Related methods of operating such a system can be used to extract crop from a field.