UAV Turbulence Detection Using Air-Ground Motion Difference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aircraft lack the capability to directly perceive turbulence through sensory impressions, necessitating improved systems for detecting and responding to turbulence to manage structural loads effectively.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned aircraft equipped with first and second measuring devices to determine movement relative to earth and air, respectively, and a computing system to calculate turbulence intensity and frequency, generating control commands to adjust speed and angle of incidence to mitigate turbulence effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unmanned aircraft are equipped with turbulence detection apparatus, then turbulence detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computing system performs multiple functions: it calculates turbulence intensity from measured values, determines frequency of classified turbulences, detects turbulent flight states, and generates control commands. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate systems into a single computing platform, improving reliability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus acts as an intermediary between the physical turbulence environment and the operator/control system. It translates raw measured values from sensors into meaningful turbulence information and control commands, bridging the gap between sensor data and actionable insights without requiring direct operator interpretation of raw data.
2Strength
If turbulence detection and response system is implemented, then structural load reduction is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms raw measured values into derived parameters (turbulence intensity, frequency, flight state) through computational processing. This parameter transformation allows the system to work with less precise raw measurements while still achieving reliable turbulence detection and structural load management through sophisticated data processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing system continuously monitors measured values, compares them against thresholds, and generates control commands based on detected turbulent flight states. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to varying turbulence conditions and maintain structural integrity even when individual measurements have uncertainty.
3Ease of operation
If automated control commands are generated for turbulence response, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computing system automatically generates control commands in response to detected turbulent flight states without requiring manual operator intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously processing sensor data, detecting turbulence conditions, and issuing appropriate control commands to the drive unit, thereby simplifying operator tasks while embedding intelligence in the control system.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An apparatus (100) for detecting and evaluating turbulence for an aircraft (10) is provided. The apparatus contains a first measuring device (110) for acquiring a first measured value, which indicates a movement of the aircraft (10) relative to the earth, and a second measuring device (120) for acquiring a second measured value, which indicates a movement of the aircraft (10) relative to the air. The apparatus further contains a computing system (130) which receives the two measured values. The computing system (130) determines a difference between the first measured value and the second measured value and, on the basis of the difference, a turbulence intensity. The computing system (130) compares the second measured value with a predefined value range and classifies turbulence as classified turbulence if the second measured value departs from the predefined value range. The computing system determines the frequency of occurrence of such classified turbulences. The computing system detects a turbulent flight state on the basis of the determined turbulence intensity and the frequency of occurrence of the classified turbulences.