UAV configurations and battery augmentation for UAV internal combustion engines, and associated systems and methods
First Claim
1. A multi-rotor vehicle system comprising:
- a direct current (DC) powered motor coupleable to a rotor;
an electronic speed controller coupled to the DC-powered motor to control the speed of the DC-powered motor by regulating electric current supplied to the DC-powered motor; and
a genset subsystem coupled to the electronic speed controller to power the electronic speed controllers through a DC motor bus, wherein the genset subsystem includes;
a battery set including one or more batteries;
an alternator having a mechanical movement input and a multiphase alternating current (AC) output; and
a motor-gen controller having a phase control circuit configured to rectify the multiphase AC output of the alternator to produce a rectified DC feed to the DC-powered motor; and
wherein the motor-gen controller is activatable to draw DC power from the battery set to produce the rectified DC feed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
UAV configurations and battery augmentation for UAV internal combustion engines, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative configuration includes a fuselage, first and second wings coupled to and pivotable relative to the fuselage, and a plurality of lift rotors carried by the fuselage. A representative battery augmentation arrangement includes a DC-powered motor, an electronic speed controller, and a genset subsystem coupled to the electronic speed controller. The genset subsystem can include a battery set, an alternator, and a motor-gen controller having a phase control circuit configurable to rectify multiphase AC output from the alternator to produce rectified DC feed to the DC-powered motor. The motor-gen controller is configurable to draw DC power from the battery set to produce the rectified DC feed.
22 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A multi-rotor vehicle system comprising:
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a direct current (DC) powered motor coupleable to a rotor; an electronic speed controller coupled to the DC-powered motor to control the speed of the DC-powered motor by regulating electric current supplied to the DC-powered motor; and a genset subsystem coupled to the electronic speed controller to power the electronic speed controllers through a DC motor bus, wherein the genset subsystem includes; a battery set including one or more batteries; an alternator having a mechanical movement input and a multiphase alternating current (AC) output; and a motor-gen controller having a phase control circuit configured to rectify the multiphase AC output of the alternator to produce a rectified DC feed to the DC-powered motor; and wherein the motor-gen controller is activatable to draw DC power from the battery set to produce the rectified DC feed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A multi-rotor vehicle system comprising:
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a direct current (DC) powered motor coupleable to a rotor; an electronic speed controller coupled to the DC-powered motor to control the speed of the DC-powered motor by regulating electric current supplied to the DC-powered motor; a genset subsystem coupled to the electronic speed controller to power the electronic speed controllers through a DC motor bus, wherein the genset subsystem includes; a battery set including one or more batteries; an alternator having a mechanical movement input and a multiphase alternating current (AC) output; and a motor-pen controller having a phase control circuit configurable to rectify the multiphase AC output of the alternator to produce a rectified DC feed to the DC-powered motor; and wherein the motor-gen controller is configurable to draw DC power from the battery set to produce the rectified DC feed; and an autopilot module to execute a flight plan for the multi-rotor vehicle system; and a flight controller operatively coupled to the autopilot module and the electronic speed controller to control the electronic speed controller based on a command from the autopilot module. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification