Method for managing power boost in a fuel cell powered aerial vehicle

• US 8,352,097 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2009
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adaptivenergy, LLC
• Original Assignee: Adaptive Materials, Inc. (Edge Autonomy SLO LLC)
• Inventors: Crumm, Aaron T., LaBreche, Timothy, Ohl, Gregory, Ernst, Nathan, Gorski, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US12/565,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20110071707A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 701/3, 701/22, 903/903, 903/944, 318/441, 320/104
• US Class Current: 701/3
• 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 27/24 using steam or spring force jet aircraft B64D27/16
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 31/06 actuated automatically
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/87 Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals
• 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 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/32 generated by fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0005 with arrangements to save energy
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/006 of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04619 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04701 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04753 of fuel cell reactants
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

An aerial vehicle is configured to operate in a base fuel cell operating mode and a fuel cell boost operating mode. A method for controlling the aerial includes providing a base fuel cell upper power limit. The method further includes controlling the fuel cell power level below the base fuel cell upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the base fuel cell operating mode. The method further includes operating the fuel cell above the base upper fuel cell power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the fuel cell boost operating mode.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an aerial vehicle, the aerial vehicle configured to operate in a base fuel cell operating mode and a fuel cell boost operating mode the aerial vehicle comprising a fuel cell and a battery, the fuel cell and the battery each having a respective operational power level for powering components of the aerial vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a base fuel cell upper power limit;

controlling the fuel cell power level below the base fuel cell upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the base fuel cell operating mode; and

operating the fuel cell above the base fuel cell upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the fuel cell boost operating, mode.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting, the fuel cell boost operating mode based on a user input.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a system power level requirement for operating desired components of the aerial vehicle; and

selecting the boost operating mode when the system power level requirement for operating desired components of the aerial vehicle is less than the base fuel cell upper power limit.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a desired battery state of charge; and

operating the fuel cell in the boost operating mode to charge the battery to the desired state of charge.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating the aerial vehicle in the boost operating mode to provide power for a secondary operation.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the secondary operation comprises operating the aerial vehicle at a target speed.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the second operation comprises operating a laser powered designator power level.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

calculating a desired mission time duration; and

operating the aerial vehicle in the boost operating mode to complete the mission in the desired mission time duration.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating the aerial vehicle in the boost operating mode when the aerial vehicle is following a target.

10. The method of claim 1, elevating an operating temperature of the fuel cell when the boost operating mode is selected.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising increasing a fuel consumption rate when the boost operating mode is selected.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the fuel cell operating lifetime is degraded by at least 25% when operating in the boost operating mode.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising

selecting a first mission;

operating the aerial vehicle in the boost operating mode during the first mission;

selecting a second mission; and

operating the aerial vehicle in the base operating mode dating the second.

14. The method of claim 10 comprising selecting the first mission at a first waypoint and selecting the second mission at a second waypoint.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating the battery above the battery output upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the fuel cell boost operating mode.

16. A method for controlling an aerial vehicle, the aerial vehicle configured to operate in a base battery operating mode and a battery boost operating mode, the aerial vehicle comprising a fuel cell and a battery, the fuel cell and the battery each having a respective operational power level for powering components of the aerial vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a base battery upper power limit;

controlling the battery power level below the base battery upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the base battery operating mode; and

operating the battery above the base battery upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the battery boost operating mode.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

operating the aerial vehicle in the battery boost operating mode when the aerial vehicle is utilizing a laser designator.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

operating the aerial vehicle in the battery boost operating mode when the aerial vehicle is following a target.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

operating the aerial vehicle in the battery boost operating mode when the aerial vehicle is evading.

20. A method for controlling an aerial vehicle, the aerial vehicle configured to operate in a base battery operating mode a battery boost operating mode, a base fuel cell operating mode and a battery boost operating mode, the aerial vehicle comprising a fuel cell and a battery, the fuel cell and the battery each having a respective operational power level for powering components of the aerial vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a base fuel cell upper power limit;

providing a base battery upper power limit;

controlling the fuel cell power level below the base fuel cell upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the base fuel cell operating mode;

operating the fuel cell above the base fuel cell upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the fuel cell boost operating mode;

controlling the battery power level below the base battery upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the base battery operating mode; and

operating the fuel cell above the base battery upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the battery boost operating mode.