POWER MANAGEMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AN UNMANNED AIR VEHICLE

• US 20150314869A1
• Filed: 07/30/2014
• Published: 11/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Lemus Martin, Jose Luis, Mayan, Sergio Pereira, Ferreyra, Eduardo Gabriel
• Granted Patent: US 9,725,169 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2041/005 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2221/00 Electric power distribution systems onboard aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/353 using solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 31/14 Transmitting means between initiating means and power plants
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 41/00 Power installations for auxiliary purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/80 Arrangement of on-board electronics, e.g. avionics systems or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/30 Supply or distribution of electrical power
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/34 In-flight charging photovoltaics B64U50/31
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/0275 using fuzzy logic only
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0005 with arrangements to save energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/50 On board measures aiming to increase energy efficiency
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

Power management method and system for an unmanned air vehicle, wherein the unmanned air vehicle comprises a plurality of power demanding subsystems and a plurality of power sources. The invention establishes mission oriented fixed parameters. A fuzzy logic power management unit, comprised in the system, automatically calculates and assigns priorities for delivering power to the subsystems. It also automatically calculates and assigns amounts of power delivered to each subsystem and automatically decides which of the power sources to deliver power to which subsystem. The fuzzy logic power management system calculates and assigns the priorities and loads in function of a plurality of internal variables, external variables and the mission oriented fixed parameters.

Claims

1. A power management method for an unmanned air vehicle, wherein the method manages electrical power distribution to a plurality of onboard subsystems, wherein the method comprises:

enabling a processor comprising hardware and software utilizing a fuzzy logic algorithm, and

allocating electrical power to the unmanned air vehicle subsystems based on a plurality of fixed and variable flight parameters.

2. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the unmanned air vehicle comprises:

at least an onboard subsystem selected between;

an instrumentation system, further including a plurality of antenna, and Baro/pitot;

an autopilot system, further including control surfaces, inertial measurement units and autopilot controls;

a GPS;

an electronic speed control system;

a propulsion system;

a power system that comprises a plurality of power sources; and

any combination thereof;

wherein the fixed flight parameters are a plurality of previously established mission oriented fixed parameters, wherein the processor automatically calculates and assigns priorities for delivering power to the subsystems, automatically calculates and assigns amounts of power delivered to each subsystem and automatically decides which of the power sources deliver power to which subsystem, in function of a plurality of internal variables, a plurality of external variables, and the mission oriented fixed parameters.

3. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps:

measuring the plurality of internal variables of the unmanned air vehicle;

measuring the plurality of external variables to the unmanned air vehicle;

automatically calculating, using the processor, a first set of priorities for delivering power to the subsystems, a set of amounts of power delivered to each subsystem and a second set of priorities for deciding which of the power sources deliver power to which subsystem, in function of the internal variables, the external variables, and the mission oriented fixed parameters; and

assigning the set of priorities and amounts to the subsystems and the power sources.

4. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the internal variables are selected from a group comprising:

an internal temperature of the propulsion system;

a remaining load of the power sources;

an availability of the power sources;

a power requirements of the subsystems;

or

any combination thereof.

5. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle of claim 4, wherein the mission oriented fixed parameters are selected from the group comprising a distance to be traveled by the unmanned air vehicle, a flight speed, or any combination thereof.

6. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the external variables are environmental variables which are selected from a group comprising an air speed, an air temperature, an atmospheric pressure, or any combination thereof.

7. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle of claim 6, wherein the mission oriented fixed parameters are selected from the group comprising a distance to be traveled by the unmanned air vehicle, a flight speed, or any combination thereof.

8. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the external variables are environmental variables which are selected from a group comprising an air speed, an air temperature, an atmospheric pressure, or any combination thereof.

9. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle of claim 8, wherein the mission oriented fixed parameters are selected from the group comprising a distance to be traveled by the unmanned air vehicle, a flight speed, or any combination thereof.

10. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle of claim 3, wherein the mission oriented fixed parameters are selected from the group comprising a distance to be traveled by the unmanned air vehicle, a flight speed, or any combination thereof.

11. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the internal variables are selected from a group comprising:

an internal temperature of the propulsion system;

a remaining load of the power sources;

an availability of the plurality of power sources;

a power requirements of the subsystems;

or

any combination thereof.

12. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle of claim 11, wherein the mission oriented fixed parameters are selected from the group comprising a distance to be traveled by the unmanned air vehicle, a flight speed, or any combination thereof.

13. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the external variables are environmental variables which are selected from a group comprising an air speed, an air temperature, an atmospheric pressure, or any combination thereof.

14. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle of claim 13, wherein the mission oriented fixed parameters are selected from the group comprising a distance to be traveled by the unmanned air vehicle, a flight speed, or any combination thereof.

15. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the external variables are environmental variables which are selected from a group comprising an air speed, an air temperature, an atmospheric pressure, or any combination thereof.

16. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle of claim 15, wherein the mission oriented fixed parameters are selected from the group comprising a distance to be traveled by the unmanned air vehicle, a flight speed, or any combination thereof.

17. The power management method for the unmanned air vehicle of claim 2, wherein the mission oriented fixed parameters are selected from the group comprising a distance to be traveled by the unmanned air vehicle, a flight speed, or any combination thereof.

18. A power management system for an unmanned air vehicle,

wherein the unmanned air vehicle comprises at least an onboard subsystem selected between:

an instrumentation system, further including a plurality of antenna, and Baro/pitot;

an autopilot system, further including control surfaces, inertial measurement units and autopilot controls;

a GPS;

an electronic speed control system;

a propulsion system;

a power system that comprises a plurality of power sources; and

any combination thereof; and

wherein the power management system comprises a processor comprising hardware and software utilizing a fuzzy logic algorithm connected to the onboard subsystems, the fuzzy logic power management unit further comprising decision-making functionalities for assigning priorities to loads of the subsystems and the power sources used in function of internal and external variables to optimize endurance and speed of the unmanned air vehicle.

19. The power management system according to claim 18, wherein the system further comprises a payload connected to the fuzzy logic power management unit.

20. The power management system according to claim 18, wherein the propulsion system is selected from a set comprising engines, generators, electrical wiring bundles, inlet duct systems, shrouds, cowls, fuel tanks, propellers systems, or any combination thereof.

21. The power management system, according to claim 18 wherein the power system is selected from a set comprising a fuel cell, a main battery, a plurality of auxiliary batteries, solar panels, regenerative wind-milling systems, super-capacitors, or any combination thereof.