UAV Spray Nozzle Stabilization for Uniform Surface Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid spraying systems face challenges in efficiently and accurately applying fluids to inaccessible or hard-to-reach surfaces, such as building exteriors and vehicles, due to limitations in control and orientation of the spray nozzle.

Innovation Solution

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system equipped with a lift rotor, fluid reservoir, nozzle, and control unit that can autonomously or remotely control flight parameters and spray orientation, allowing for precise fluid application using a spray tube and nozzle that can rotate between vertical and horizontal orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional spray gun is used to apply fluid to surfaces, then the user can control the spray direction, but the user cannot access dangerous or inaccessible areas such as building exteriors and bridges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to inaccessible surfacesVSAvoiduser safety and accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical spray gun system with an autonomous UAV-based spraying system. The UAV carries a spray nozzle and can autonomously navigate to inaccessible areas while maintaining stable spray application through active stabilization control, eliminating the need for human operators to physically access dangerous locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The UAV system operates autonomously to perform spraying tasks in inaccessible areas. The onboard stabilization control system automatically compensates for UAV movement and maintains proper spray orientation without human intervention, enabling the system to serve itself in challenging environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the UAV moves during spraying, then it can reach inaccessible areas, but the spray orientation becomes unstable causing overspray and non-uniform coverage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage efficiencyVSAvoidspray uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback-based active stabilization control system that continuously monitors UAV motion (including acceleration and orientation) and dynamically adjusts the spray nozzle orientation to compensate for UAV movement. This feedback loop maintains stable spray application even while the UAV is in motion, preventing overspray and ensuring uniform coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The spray nozzle is mounted on an active stabilization mechanism that dynamically adjusts its orientation in real-time to counteract UAV motion. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain precise spray control during flight, enabling both mobility and spraying precision simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the spray nozzle is fixed on the UAV body, then the structure is simple, but the nozzle cannot adapt to different spray orientations required for various surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespray orientation flexibilityVSAvoidnozzle mounting structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The active stabilization mechanism serves multiple functions: it maintains spray orientation stability during UAV motion, adapts the nozzle to different spray angles for various surface geometries, and compensates for UAV acceleration and rotation. This multi-functionality provides orientation flexibility without requiring separate mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 precise fluid application on complex surfaces by maintaining the UAV's stability and orientation, preventing overspray and ensuring uniform coverage, even in areas inaccessible to humans.

Implementation Method 1

a UAV body supporting at least one lift rotor configured to operationally drive the UAV body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic lift: Aerofoil

Implementation Method 2

the nozzle configured to release the fluid as a spray on the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtomization: Aerosol

Data Source

PatentUS11498090B2Unmanned aerial vehicle for painting structures

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 GRACO MINNESTOA INC

AI summary

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a sprayer configured to generate a pressurized fluid flow and a nozzle configured to receive the pressurized fluid from the sprayer and to generate a spray fan to apply the fluid to a surface. The UAV includes sensors and a control unit to control both flight of the UAV and spraying by the sprayer. The fluid can be stored onboard the UAV in a reservoir or can be remotely stored and pumped to the UAV. The UAV control unit can be preloaded with a spray plan and a flight plan, or the UAV can be controlled by a user.