UAV Thermal Navigation System for Energy Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual search for thermal activity by UAV pilots is time-consuming and energy-inefficient, leading to potential fatigue and safety risks during long flights, as finding thermal areas often requires more energy than is saved, and can compromise the UAV mission.
Innovation Solution
An air vehicle navigation system equipped with a microcontroller unit, radio receiver, thermal camera, visual camera, inertial measurement unit, GPS, airspeed sensor, and variometer, which uses a discretized map with grid locations scored for thermal probability, type, and strength to autonomously guide the UAV towards optimal thermal intercepts, reducing power transients and extending flight endurance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the manual pilot searches for thermal activity areas, then the UAV can benefit from energy conservation through thermal updrafts, but the search process consumes excessive time and energy that may exceed the savings gained
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV performs self-navigation to thermal areas using onboard sensors (thermal camera, visual camera, variometer, inertial measurement unit) and autonomous decision-making algorithms. The system automatically detects thermal activity, calculates optimal intercept points, and executes navigation maneuvers without continuous manual intervention, thereby reducing both the time spent searching and the energy consumed during the search process while still capturing sufficient thermals for energy conservation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical search process with an automated electronic system that uses computer vision (thermal and visual cameras), sensor data processing (variometer, inertial measurement unit, GPS), and algorithmic decision-making to identify and navigate to thermal areas. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual scanning and judgment processes while providing more consistent and efficient thermal acquisition
2Use of energy by moving object
If the manual pilot continuously monitors for thermal areas during long flights, then energy savings from thermals can be achieved, but pilot fatigue compromises flight safety
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV autonomously performs thermal detection and navigation tasks using onboard sensors and processing systems, eliminating the need for continuous manual monitoring. The system automatically processes data from thermal cameras, visual cameras, variometers, and inertial measurement units to identify thermals and execute intercept maneuvers, thereby removing the source of pilot fatigue while maintaining energy savings from thermal utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors flight parameters, thermal conditions, and energy state through onboard sensors (variometer for vertical speed, thermal camera for atmospheric heat signatures, inertial measurement unit for motion detection) and uses this feedback to automatically adjust navigation decisions. This closed-loop control ensures safe operation while optimizing energy conservation, as the system can detect when to enter or exit thermals based on real-time conditions without pilot intervention
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
The system significantly enhances flight endurance and safety by autonomously navigating UAVs to thermal areas, optimizing energy use and reducing pilot fatigue, thereby improving the energy balance and mission reliability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one thermal camera located onboard the air vehicle, wherein the thermal camera points towards ground
Implementation Method 2
thermal activity refers to a thermal cone (e.g. a thermal) which is a rising or upwardly moving cone of air above a heated region, such as the ground or water surface heated by the sun (e.g. solar radiation), due to atmospheric convection
Implementation Method 3
at least one inertial measurement unit located onboard the air vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
An air vehicle navigation system and method comprising a microcontroller unit and a radio receiver unit both located onboard an air vehicle, the system further comprising a control station for controlling the air vehicle at a predetermined distance from the air vehicle, wherein the control station is configured to store at least one map discretized according to a grid comprising grid locations representing points in a flying field where the air vehicle flies, wherein a determined score is associated to each grid location upon the map according to thermals located in the points in the flying field represented by the grid locations; wherein, according to the system and method, the microcontroller unit is configured for receiving, via the at least one radio receiver unit, instructions from the at least one control station for flying the air vehicle towards points in the flying field where atmospheric thermal activity is located.