Autonomous VTOL UAV Pod for Remote Survey Launch and Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerial geographic survey work for agricultural and oil industries incurs high logistics and costs due to the need for personnel to operate and maintain unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and process data, especially in remote locations, where automation, reliability, range, and data retrieval and processing capabilities are limited.
Innovation Solution
A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV storage and launch system with a UAV pod processor, transceivers, and sensors that enables autonomous mission launches, trajectory monitoring, and data processing, allowing a two-rotor UAV to perform efficient horizontal flights and return for landing, with a portable memory for data storage and rerouting instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If personnel are deployed to operate and maintain UAVs in remote locations, then operational capability is improved, but logistics costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV system performs self-service through autonomous operation capabilities. The UAV can independently execute survey missions, navigate to waypoints, collect geographic data, and return to the pod without human intervention. This eliminates the need for personnel deployment in remote locations while maintaining full operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the operational functions between the UAV (autonomous execution) and the pod (support and data processing). The pod provides automated support functions including weather monitoring, obstacle detection, and data storage, separating the complex logistics support from the flight operation.
2Productivity
If automation is increased in UAV operations, then operational costs are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pod serves multiple functions that simplify the overall system architecture. It provides automated weather monitoring, obstacle detection via proximity sensors, data storage with portable memory, and communication relay. By consolidating these support functions in the pod, the UAV itself can remain relatively simple while achieving high automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pod acts as an intermediary between the UAV and the ground control/operations center. It handles data processing, storage, and communication relay, reducing the complexity burden on both the UAV and the remote operations center while enabling automated operations.
3Length of moving object
If UAV range is extended for remote survey work, then survey capability is improved, but reliability decreases due to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions before UAV deployment by monitoring weather conditions and detecting overhead obstacles using the pod's sensors. This advance detection allows the system to assess environmental suitability and prepare appropriate mission parameters, enhancing reliability before the UAV ventures into remote areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The pod continuously monitors environmental conditions including weather and overhead obstacles, providing feedback to the autonomous UAV. This real-time feedback loop allows the UAV to adjust its operations based on current conditions, maintaining reliability even when operating beyond visual range or in challenging environments.
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage and launch system includes a UAV pod having a UAV pod processor and a UAV selectively enclosed in the UAV pod, the UAV having only two rotors.