Dual-Battery UAV Self-Charging for Extended Flight Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
UAVs face short flying times due to their dependency on onboard, limited capacity batteries, necessitating frequent trips to ground charging stations for recharging, which disrupts operations.
Innovation Solution
A two-battery system with a high-power primary battery and a low-power secondary battery, combined with a generator that generates electrical power through motor rotation, and a battery management system (BMS) to charge the batteries during operation and store charge for when needed, allowing continuous operation without interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a single onboard battery is used to power the UAV, then the device complexity is reduced, but the duration of action (flight time) is limited due to battery capacity constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into two separate batteries: a first battery for high-power components and a second battery for low-power components. This segmentation allows each battery to be optimized for its specific function, extending overall flight time while managing complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to power management by implementing different charging strategies for two batteries. The first battery is rechargeable during flight via the generator, while the second battery is charged from the first battery, creating a multi-stage energy management system that extends operational duration.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the UAV returns to ground charging stations frequently for recharging, then the battery capacity limitation is addressed, but productivity is reduced due to operational disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV performs self-charging during flight by using the generator to recharge the first battery from the motor's rotational energy. This self-service capability eliminates the need for frequent returns to ground charging stations, maintaining continuous operation and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-battery system with in-flight recharging enables continuous operation without interruption. The first battery can be recharged during flight while the second battery provides backup power, ensuring uninterrupted operation and eliminating productivity losses from charging cycles.
3Duration of action of moving object
If ambient energy harvesting techniques are used to recharge batteries, then the duration of action is extended, but the device complexity increases due to additional energy harvesting components
Solution Approach 1:
The motor serves a dual function: it acts as a motor during normal operation and as a generator for energy harvesting during regenerative braking or descent. This multi-functionality extends flight time without adding separate energy harvesting components, avoiding increased device complexity.
4Duration of action of moving object
If optimization algorithms and motion control functions are implemented to achieve energy efficiency, then the duration of action is extended, but the device complexity increases due to additional control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system automatically manages power distribution and charging between the two batteries without requiring complex external control algorithms. The system self-regulates power flow based on battery states, extending flight time while minimizing control system 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 extended flight times and efficient battery management, reducing the need for ground recharging and minimizing operational disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a generator configured to generate an electrical power through rotation of a shaft of a motor of the UAV
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is described. The UAV includes a first battery to power multiple first and multiple second electronic components of UAV. A power consumption of each first electronic component is greater than a power threshold. A power consumption of each second electronic component is less than or equal to the power threshold. The UAV includes a generator and a battery management system (BMS). The generator generates an electrical power through rotation of a shaft of a motor of UAV. The BMS charges the first battery using the electrical power generated by the generator when the UAV is during operation and a stored charge of the first battery drops to a first predefined level, and charges a second battery using the stored charge of the first battery when a stored charge of the second battery drops to a second predefined level.