VTOL UAV Rear Tang for Autonomous Power and Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerial geographic survey work for agricultural and oil industries incurs high logistics and maintenance 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 processing capabilities are limited.
Innovation Solution
A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV system with a rearward-facing tang extending from its fuselage, which includes metallic contacts for power and data transfer, and a locking armature for secure attachment to a UAV pod, enabling autonomous missions, data retrieval, and efficient horizontal flight.
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 and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV system performs self-service through autonomous operation and self-recharging capability. The vehicle can automatically return to the pod for recharging without human intervention, and the system includes automated data transfer and mission planning capabilities that eliminate the need for personnel in remote locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separable components: the UAV vehicle and the pod. This segmentation allows the vehicle to be deployed independently for missions while the pod serves as a stationary base for recharging and data transfer, eliminating the need for continuous personnel presence.
2Quantity of substance
If automation is increased in UAV systems, then operational costs are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pod serves multiple functions: it acts as a charging station, data transfer interface, and mission control point. The tang structure provides both mechanical attachment and electrical connectivity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems while maintaining automation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the mechanical attachment function and electrical connectivity function into a single tang structure. This integration simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining autonomous operation capabilities, reducing complexity compared to separate mechanisms for each function.
3Ease of repair
If the UAV uses a detachable tang connection system, then ease of maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into detachable components: the tang on the UAV and the corresponding receiver on the pod. This allows the UAV to be quickly removed and replaced for maintenance or swapping, simplifying maintenance operations despite the added mechanical complexity of the detachable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical attachment and electrical connectivity are merged into a single tang assembly that attaches and disconnects as one unit. This integration reduces the complexity that would result from separate mechanical and electrical connection systems, while still providing easy maintenance access.
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system including: a rearward facing tang extending from a rear fuselage portion of a VTOL UAV; one or more metallic contacts disposed on an exterior surface of the tang; a UAV pod including a landing surface; and an opening disposed in the landing surface to receive the tang.