UAV Sensor Array Control for Stable Flight in Confined Spaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a cost-effective and efficient means to control and maneuver unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) within confined aerospace, such as gaps between buildings or within enclosures, and to accurately deliver items to customers' locations, as existing UAVs face challenges with navigation and stability in constrained areas.
Innovation Solution
The system employs sensor arrays mounted on UAVs to determine flight paths, using imaging devices and distance measurement devices to perceive objects and calculate spatial relationships, allowing for navigation around obstacles through thrust vectoring and onboard processing, with the option of tethered operation for extended flight times and data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional multi-rotor vehicles control motion by adjusting speed of rotation of individual motors based on a selected model of all rotors generating thrust in one or more directions, then the vehicle can be controlled in roll, pitch, yaw, and net thrust, but system instability occurs during hover
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into separate axis controllers (roll axis, pitch axis, yaw axis, thrust axis) that operate independently. Each axis has its own controller that processes sensor data and generates control signals specifically for that axis, rather than using a single coupled model for all movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts motor speeds based on real-time sensor feedback from each independent axis controller. The controllers continuously monitor and adjust thrust distribution across individual motors to maintain stability during hover and enable precise maneuvering in confined spaces.
2Measurement precision
If sensor arrays are positioned to provide field of view in multiple directions for obstacle detection, then navigation accuracy in confined spaces improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor array is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting objects, measuring distances, determining spatial relationships, and providing navigation data. The same sensor arrays serve both obstacle avoidance and position estimation purposes, reducing the need for separate specialized sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensor types (imaging devices, distance measurement devices) are integrated into unified sensor arrays mounted on the UAV. The sensor arrays are combined with independent axis controllers that process data from all sensors to generate coordinated control signals for all motors.
3Duration of action of moving object
If tethered operation is used for extended flight times and data processing, then flight duration and processing capability improve, but ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tether serves as an intermediary that provides both physical connection for power transmission and a data communication link between the ground station and UAV. The tether management system includes spooling mechanisms that automatically deploy and retrieve the tether, reducing manual intervention requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle within a flight operating space. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes one or more sensor arrays on each spar. The method includes determining, using a plurality of sensor arrays, a flight path for the unmanned aerial vehicle. The method also includes receiving, by at least one sensor array of the plurality of sensor arrays, sensor data identifying at least one object in the operating space. The sensor data is transmitted over a communications bus connecting components of the UAV. The method further includes determining, by one or more processors onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle, a flight path around the at least one object. The method also includes generating, by the one or more onboard processors, a first signal to cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to navigate within the operating space around the at least one object.