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WO2019092743A1 - Autonomous aerial vehicle - Google Patents

Autonomous aerial vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019092743A1
WO2019092743A1 PCT/IN2018/050723 IN2018050723W WO2019092743A1 WO 2019092743 A1 WO2019092743 A1 WO 2019092743A1 IN 2018050723 W IN2018050723 W IN 2018050723W WO 2019092743 A1 WO2019092743 A1 WO 2019092743A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vehicle
central controller
batteries
electric power
sound
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IN2018/050723
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Arunansh ARYA
Original Assignee
Arya Arunansh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Arya Arunansh filed Critical Arya Arunansh
Publication of WO2019092743A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019092743A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60F—VEHICLES FOR USE BOTH ON RAIL AND ON ROAD; AMPHIBIOUS OR LIKE VEHICLES; CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES
    • B60F5/00—Other convertible vehicles, i.e. vehicles capable of travelling in or on different media
    • B60F5/02—Other convertible vehicles, i.e. vehicles capable of travelling in or on different media convertible into aircraft

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to air transportation and more particularly to an air transport system and a novel method of transporting low capacity passengers and/ or freight by air.
  • Electric cars have strong advantages over fossil fuel-based cars. Pure electric cars have no emissions, and hybrids have few. Electric cars are quiet. The electricity they use can come from a variety of sources. They have few moving parts and require little maintenance. For the same reason, they do not break down often and are more reliable. But, electric cars perform poorly, weigh more due to batteries, have less usable space, have limited drive range due to charge capacity, and cost high.
  • jets are used and problems are related to their size, and scale of operations specifically to the long throw landing gear required to support the aircraft on the runway.
  • Other problems with jet designs include the massive loss of life that would occur in a single fatal crash of such an aircraft, the inability to transport large numbers of passengers and substantial amounts of cargo at the same time, and the sheer operating expense in fuel and maintenance required for such a large and complex structure.
  • Autonomous aerial vehicles are remotely or self-piloted aircraft that can carry cameras, sensors, communications equipment, or other payloads.
  • An AAV is capable of controlled, sustained, levelled flight and is powered by either a jet or an engine.
  • the AAVs may be remotely controlled or may fly autonomously based on pre-programmed flight plans or more complex dynamic automation systems.
  • AAVs are increasingly used for simpler applications where the use of manned flight vehicle can be avoided or is costly. Such applications include door to door delivery of postal, food items, few security and surveillance areas, target acquisition, data acquisition, and disaster management. These devices are also used for peacekeeping civilian operations including firefighting, observing crime scenes, accessing otherwise unreachable areas.
  • the ability to implement vertical take-off and landing further improves the versatility of the vehicle devices, allowing the vehicle to be used in, for example, dense urban areas.
  • the present invention discloses an autonomous aerial vehicle.
  • a vehicle having a flying arrangement that includes a body having a passenger cubicle, a central controller having a microprocessor, a data storage device and a core application, the central controller process instructions for producing lift and thrust using the microprocessor, the core application and uses data from the data storage device, a plurality of rotors, attached to the body, each having at least one lift motor that is connected to the central controller and is used to produce lift based on a configuration as instructed by the central controller, at least one thrust motor, attached to the body and is connected to a central controller and is used to produce thrust based on a configuration as instructed by the central controller, a battery section inside the body and having a plurality of batteries connected in a series-parallel orientation in accordance with a configuration of the central controller.
  • the lift motors and the thrust motors are synchronized with the
  • a vehicle has a data storage device and that stores data on vehicle functions and demographics.
  • a vehicle has a battery section having batteries which are connected in series-parallel orientation. The orientation places batteries with same voltage and amp-hour capacity in series.
  • a vehicle has a central controller that takes user inputs through a wireless connected device.
  • a vehicle in another embodiment, includes a power conversion circuit attached to a body of the vehicle and the power conversion circuit converts sound energy, produced by rotor movement, into an electric power using a piezoelectric crystal. The electric power is fed into batteries of a battery section of the vehicle.
  • a vehicle has a central controller that authenticates an administrative user using fingerprinting techniques including voice, biometric or retina-based techniques.
  • a vehicle has a plurality of storage compartments on outer body of the vehicle. Rotors of the vehicle can be moved between a stowed position inside a respective storage compartment and a deployed position outside said respective storage compartment, the shape of a storage compartment confirms to shape of the body. In another embodiment, a vehicle has rotors that are stowed in a vertical orientation position or behind the other in a lateral orientation of the vehicle.
  • a vehicle has a core application that includes a parking identification module, a location identification module using GPS, a vicinity module to detect other land or airborne vehicles in its vicinity, a power control module to use batteries optimally and detect faults, alerts users and optimally uses the charged or discharged batteries, an alert module to initiate user alerts in case of any emergencies, an auto mode module to learn user preferences and initiate an auto driving mode, a feeder module to control recharge of batteries and receives recharge power from a power conversion circuit converting rotor moving sound into electric power.
  • a vehicle has a feeder module connected to a universal socket and receives recharge power from an external source including solar cells, wind towers, grid- based AC source, or a battery-based DC source.
  • a vehicle has a core application receives data from user preferences, demographics, GPS location-based inputs from local regulating or enforcement agencies, battery conditions, safety advises, load capacity, terrain information and decides the correct course of action for the core application modules.
  • One other embodiment of the present invention provides a method of generating electric power from rotors of a vehicle that includes capturing sound from rotor movement using dynamic microphones, amplifying sound captured by the microphones using a sound amplifier and using a piezoelectric crystal to convert sound energy to electric power using a power conversion circuit.
  • the method of generating electric power from rotors of a vehicle includes converting the piezoelectric crystal into Nano rods which are used to develop a Nano generator and producing electric power by absorbing the rotor sound vibrations into the Nano rods and adapting Nano generator to produce electric power.
  • the method of generating electric power from rotors of a vehicle includes regulating generated electric power using a central controller and feeding the electric power to a battery of the vehicle.
  • the method of generating electric power from rotors of a vehicle includes using piezoelectric crystal as a compound of three materials quartz [Si02], zinc oxide [ZnO] and polyvinylidene fluoride [C2H2F2] to generate electric power.
  • Figure 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of an autonomous aerial vehicle arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of a dual motor arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 3 is a simplified schematic diagram of a dual motor rotor arrangement with blades in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic diagram of a battery placement structure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic diagram of a vehicle embodying the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a transportation system which requires no new right-of way but uses the presently existing urban and suburban street rights-of-way without significantly adding to the congestion thereon.
  • An additional object of this invention is to provide a transportation system which is substantially pollution free, and which is aesthetically pleasing.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a transportation system which works on pollution free electricity and is both a land and an air transportation vehicle which is further made of steel body or an aluminum body for light weight.
  • the AAV based vehicle can be controlled with taps and touches on a smartphone, tablet or a touch-based console device. Further, it also features manual control which consists of two throttles like structures.
  • the proposed vehicle makes transportation easier and cheaper. This vehicle can drive the passengers or fly them to desired location in less time with comfort and safety.
  • the device has internal parts such as motors, controller board, induction motors, dc brushless motors, GPS, antenna, body frame, wires, wheels, propellers, batteries, seats, driving console, air-bags, parachute, speedometer, sensors for security and other flight functions among others.
  • Proposed AAV is a delivery system for a payload and is developed to meet the set of requirements mentioned as the objective of the invention.
  • the current AAV vehicle can be used in numerous applications with a customized design and payload capacity.
  • Payload management system control logic for monitoring a center of gravity and executing center of gravity adjustments may be disposed in a AAV skeletal structure portion of the AAV or in the pod portion of the AAV.
  • a AAV for supporting the pod and payload management system may be, for example, a dual-ducted vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) AAV having a skeletal structural frame interconnecting the two ducts. Each duct may be provided with an electric-powered engine.
  • VTOL vertical take-off and landing
  • a software application and a mechanism that instructs multiple AAV devices on a single vehicle and generates the required thrust to fly or drive the vehicle in desired direction at required speed.
  • a new controller is provided to centrally control the AAV devices and regulate the speed.
  • the software can work with 12 of the 40 motors in case of emergency and safely land the vehicle.
  • vehicle has 4 AAV motors on each arm aligned together two on the upper side of the arm and two on back of the 10 arms in an upside-down arrangement like this we'll have 40 motors producing lift to 5000 kg of total weight by generating the required thrust.
  • 10,000 kW batteries are used and are connected using wires like ESC's and are connected to a controller board and central console of the vehicle.
  • vehicle control center communicates with a smart device with a pilot or controller and is operated wirelessly.
  • a battery orientation is used in the vehicle.
  • the arrangement provides higher battery capacity and voltage with lesser amount of batteries and uses a parallel-series orientation.
  • the AAV will have a differently designed combination of battery.
  • the arrangement would provide higher voltages and capacity with fewer amounts of batteries.
  • the arrangement would be a series-parallel orientation. In a series connection, batteries of like voltage and amp-hour capacity are connected to increase the voltage of the overall assembly.
  • the positive terminals of all batteries are connected, or to a common conductor, and all negative terminals are connected in the same manner.
  • a rotor arrangement is used in the vehicle.
  • the arrangement provides multiple motors each of which provide 120 kgs of thrust.
  • In one of the arrangement 24 of such rotors provide with a total of 2.88 tons of thrust.
  • the rotors are arranged in face up and down positions.
  • the noise produced by the rotors of the AAV is used to manufacture energy and recharge the batteries.
  • the AAV has a circuit which will convert the sound energy to electricity using piezoelectric effect using the piezoelectric crystal present in it.
  • the circuit will contain the following: Dynamic Microphones in order to capture good amount of sound, sound amplifier to amplify the noise captured by the microphones in order to gain more electricity, Controller Chip in order to process the sound to next stages, piezoelectric crystal to convert sound energy to electricity the piezoelectric crystal has a compound of three materials quartz [Si02], zinc oxide [ZnO] and polyvinylidene fluoride [C2H2F2].
  • embodiments of the invention may significantly reduce pollution and overhead operational costs.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an autonomous aerial vehicle arrangement 100 of a vehicle.
  • the arrangement includes a central controller 104 which is a control center for functioning of the vehicle. All necessary functions of the vehicle are controlled by the central controller 104.
  • the central controller 104 has various components such as a microprocessor 104a, a data storage device 104b, a core application 104c, and other such modules 104d, 104e, 104n. for various functions of the vehicle operations.
  • the primary function of the central controller 104 is to receive data from various sources, perform the analysis and execute the instructions using its various components.
  • the central controller 104 is primarily responsible to process instructions for producing lift using rotor blades of the vehicle. For example, on receiving administrative user instructions, localized information of a vehicle is collected, and a destination is set. The central controller would check battery status and initiate electric power to motors of rotor blades connected to the vehicle. On receiving power, the motors would actuate the rotor blade movement, which is further calibrated using rotor blade pitch based on the lift instructions and the vehicle would start moving on road or fly. As soon the rotor blades start moving the sound is captured by a power conversion circuit and converted in electric power, this power is fed back to the battery and reused. The central controller also learns from instructions and saves data pertaining to various environmental, operational conditions, this data is further used by the central controller to further give suggestions to user or to take decisions in adverse conditions.
  • a user controller 108 instructs the central controller 104 to initiate the microprocessor 104a and process instructions suing other modules. Further, an administrator or other source data 1 10 is fed into the data storage device 104b which facilitates the central controller 104 functions. The instructions and data received on the central controller 104 are processed in accordance with the user, environmental, operational function as per one or more of modules with the core application 104c.
  • the core application 104c includes various modules for vehicle operations such as a parking identification module 104c1 , a location identification module 104c2 using GPS, a vicinity module 104c3 to detect other land or airborne vehicles in its vicinity, a power control module 104c4 to use batteries optimally and detect faults, alerts users and optimally uses the charged or discharged batteries, an alert module 104c5 to initiate user alerts in case of any emergencies, an auto mode module 104c6 to learn user preferences and initiate an auto driving mode, a feeder module 104c7 to control recharge of batteries and receives recharge power from a power conversion circuit converting rotor moving sound into electric power, an authentication module 104c8 to authenticate the users using prevalent authentication techniques such as voice, biometric, retina or alike, a battery status indicator module 104c9 to check and share the battery health, a fingerprinting identification module 104c10 to receive the fingerprinting impressions aligned with the authentication technique, a stowed position module 104c1 1 recording and sharing data for the current s
  • the battery section 1 12 receives power through a universal socket and recharges power from an external power source 1 14 that includes solar cells, wind towers, grid-based AC source, or a battery-based DC source.
  • the battery section 1 12 also receives power from a second source a power conversion controller 1 16.
  • the power conversion controller 1 16 has dynamic microphones 1 16a, Nano generators 1 16b, and amplifiers 1 16c which works with a power conversion circuit of the power conversion controller 1 16.
  • the power conversion circuit works on the principle of a piezoelectric module, where dynamic microphones 1 16a captures rotor movement sound from the rotor blades of the vehicle upon starting and during operation. Further, the captured sound is passed on to the amplifier 1 16c to increase the amount of sound captured. Furthermore, the amplified sound is passed through a controller chip which would take the entire process around and convert the mechanical vibrations of sound into electricity.
  • Piezoelectric materials are connected in the controller 1 16 to convert sound energy into electric energy, preferably used materials are zinc oxide, quartz and polyvinylidene fluoride. They work in a manner that they are being compounded to produce more powerful piezoelectric effect. Piezoelectric materials have high value of dielectric current, have high temperature materials and have stability.
  • the piezoelectric transducers work on the principle of piezoelectric effect. When mechanical stress or forces are applied to some materials along certain planes, they produce electric voltage. The current generated would be alternate current and will not be enough to use so it will go through a voltage multiplier a device, which multiplies the current and make it enough for usage. Then in the next step the current will be passed through a bridge rectifier a device which is used to convert the alternative current to direct current because alternate current cannot be used for the charging of the batteries. In the following step the current will be passed through a voltage regulator a device, which regulates the flow of electricity determines that the current doesn't pass the voltage limit and damage the device. There is another proposition for the circuit conversion of sound energy into electric energy.
  • the circuit includes the conversion of the piezoelectric material zinc oxide into Nano rods and developing a Nano generator 1 16b using it.
  • a carbon paper is dipped into a seed solution and kept for annealing, it will be dipped into the main solution.
  • Zinc oxide is spread in dispersed form on the carbon paper, then PDMS layering is performed by spin coating and an electrode layer is formed on the carbon paper by sputtering.
  • the last step will be to connect wires to the carbon paper to use the device and establish electrical connections.
  • the Nano generator 1 16b will have Nano rods which will get disturbed whenever they come in contact with mechanical vibrations and as an output they will give out electricity.
  • Sound produced by the vehicle rotor blades are used to generate electric power by capturing sound from rotor movement using dynamic microphones, amplifying sound captured by the microphones using a sound amplifier, using a piezoelectric crystal to convert sound energy to electric power using a power conversion circuit, converting the piezoelectric crystal into Nano rods, wherein the Nano rods are used to develop a Nano generator, producing electric power by absorbing the rotor sound vibrations into the Nano rods and adapting Nano generator to produce electric power, and regulating the electric power using a central controller and feeding the electric power to a battery of the vehicle.
  • the piezoelectric crystal used is a compound of three materials quartz [Si02], zinc oxide [ZnO] and polyvinylidene fluoride [C2H2F2].
  • FIG 2 illustrates an exemplary dual motor arrangement 200 of a vehicle.
  • a dual motor 202 is shown in the figure which has two motors (202a, 202b) arranged in upside down position and both can be selectively throttled in response to control signals received from a central controller such as a central controller 104 in Figure 1 and is in communication with an operator using a wireless network.
  • a plurality of such motors such as 102a, 102b, 102n as shown in Figure 1 are used to create a necessary energy to drive each of the vehicle rotors through the central controller 104.
  • Induction motors in the present invention are AC motors, generally power input for these motors is very high.
  • the motors used are programmed such that during any motor failure the motors can equally balance out the weight and prevent crashes.
  • an alarm system will be activated by the central controller 104 and suitable aids will be in place.
  • the motors are controlled with help of a central intelligent control panel, which sets the thrust of the motors according to a destination provided by the user.
  • a special orientation of the motors is used in which the motors are attached to each other in an upside-down position as shown in Figure 2 and is named as a "dual motor arrangement".
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary dual motor rotor with blades arrangement 300 of a vehicle.
  • the vehicle has a rotor arrangement 300 with at least two rotor blades 302a, 302b. Both rotor blades 302a, 302b are attached to the two ends of a dual motor 304.
  • 304a is a first motor connected to the rotor blade 302a and 304b is a second motor connected to the rotor blade 302b.
  • the vehicle has a plurality of such dual motor rotor with blades arrangement as necessary for a specific operation or an embodiment.
  • Each of the dual motor rotor wing is attached to the body of the vehicle using a hinge 306.
  • fixed or varying pitch rotor blades are used with a central controller 104 controlling the vehicle motion by varying the relative speed of each of the motors 304a, 304b and in turn varying the rotor speed or direction.
  • a special orientation of the motors is used named as a "dual motor arrangement" where the motors are attached to each other in an upside-down position as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3.
  • a total of 40 motors are fitted in 20 wings each with 2 of rotor blades of an AAV.
  • Each motor has a potential to produce up to 120 kg of thrust.
  • the vehicle has a high maneuverable capability and provides a fast and reliable road and air transportation.
  • the conversion between road and air transportation modes is simple and can be accomplished in few seconds.
  • the vehicle can take off or land completely vertical, like a helicopter, or it can take off and land through different ground related angles, like an airplane.
  • the AAV can safely land even with 12 motors working.
  • the motors would be connected to hydraulic powered rods, which has sensors within it. If the AAV is at rest and it starts to rain, hydraulic components will fold itself preventing the motors of getting spoiled. The motors will be rotating in opposite direction to give best outputs.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary battery placement structure 400 of a vehicle.
  • the vehicle of the present invention uses a differently designed arrangement of battery placement.
  • the arrangement provides higher voltage and capacity with fewer amounts of batteries.
  • the arrangement is a series-parallel orientation. In a series connection, batteries of like voltage and amp-hour capacity are connected to increase the voltage of the overall assembly.
  • the positive terminals of all batteries are connected, or to a common conductor, and all negative terminals are connected in the same manner.
  • a battery section 402 is shown with several batteries 412a, 412b, 412n.
  • Each of the batteries 412a, 412b, 412n are connected to each other.
  • 3 set of 3 series combination batteries are connected in parallel.
  • Such as, three set of series connected, using connectors as 406, pairs are (i) 412a, 412b, 412c; (ii) 412d, 412e, 412f; (ii) 412g, 412h, 412n.
  • the three sets are connected via connectors as 404 and in turn connected to a positive terminal 408 and a negative terminal 410.
  • the similar arrangement can be expanded based on the actual batteries required for an embodiment.
  • the battery arrangement used in present invention is optimized to provide the maximum output with the help of manipulation voltage and amp hours in the batteries.
  • batteries in such arrangement for example, four batteries each of 10-amp hours and 6 volts the total output by a series-parallel connection will be 20 amps and 12 volts, the capacity as well as the voltage will be substantially increased. Therefore, the batteries would be able to be used for longer.
  • batteries are connected by linking a negative terminal of 1 st battery to a positive terminal of 2nd battery and a negative terminal of 2nd battery to a positive terminal of 3rd battery, then connecting negative terminals of 3rd and 6th battery and positive terminals of 1st and 4th battery.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary vehicle 500.
  • the vehicle 500 includes internal parts such as motors, central controller, GPS, antenna, body frame, wires, wheels, propellers, batteries, interiors, driving console, touchscreen console, airbags, parachute and rest of operational items as found in any typical aerial or land vehicles.
  • the vehicle 500 of the present invention stores its connected rotor blades in a compact configuration inside a body of the vehicle 500 during the land or unused mode. It helps in minimizing size of the vehicle 500 and protects rotor blades from environmental damage. In a flying mode, the vehicle 500 uses multiple unfolded rotor blades to create the necessary lift and fly out the vehicle 500.
  • the vehicle 500 comprises a main body that is in a shape of a land car/ flying vehicle and which has a front end, a rear end and side storage compartment cover doors 502 and 504 which cover the rotor blades as shown in Figure 3.
  • the rotor blades can open and rotate independently with the mechanism around the transverse axis.
  • the main body includes side rotors storage compartments 502 and 504 to store the rotor blades during the non-operation of the vehicle 500.
  • the transformation of the vehicle 500 between the land and air configuration is minimal and can be rapidly done automatically, with no need of the operator help.
  • Additional parts of the vehicle include safety and performance sensors, parachute system/ airbags, entertainment system such as Bluetooth speakers and central touch screen console, an air condition system, an accelerometer, an odometer, drone mode, auto pilot mode, location identification, user and administrator authentication, battery recharge options, GPS, intelligent adaptation to modern assistance like Alexa, Siri etc. and working with voice commends, wireless console based instructions.
  • Proposed solution has a system with electric motors that runs on electricity instead of fossil fuel which is better, inexhaustible and cost effective.
  • a vehicle having a flying arrangement that includes a body having a passenger cubicle, a central controller having a microprocessor, a data storage device and a core application, the central controller process instructions for producing lift and thrust using the microprocessor, the core application and uses data from the data storage device, a plurality of rotors, attached to the body, each having at least one lift motor that is connected to the central controller and is used to produce lift based on a configuration as instructed by the central controller, at least one thrust motor, attached to the body and is connected to a central controller and is used to produce thrust based on a configuration as instructed by the central controller, a battery section inside the body and having a plurality of batteries connected in a series-parallel orientation in accordance with a configuration of the central controller.
  • the lift motors and the thrust motors are synchronized with the instructions of the central controller to align the rotors and function with flying arrangement of the vehicle.
  • a vehicle having a battery section having batteries which are connected in series-parallel orientation.
  • the orientation places batteries with same voltage and amp-hour capacity in series.
  • a vehicle that includes a power conversion circuit attached to a body of the vehicle and the power conversion circuit converts sound energy, produced by rotor movement, into an electric power using a piezoelectric crystal.
  • the electric power is fed into batteries of a battery section of the vehicle.
  • a vehicle having a core application that includes a parking identification module, a location identification module using GPS, a vicinity module to detect other land or airborne vehicles in its vicinity, a power control module to use batteries optimally and detect faults, alerts users and optimally uses the charged or discharged batteries, an alert module to initiate user alerts in case of any emergencies, an auto mode module to learn user preferences and initiate an auto driving mode, a feeder module to control recharge of batteries and receives recharge power from a power conversion circuit converting rotor moving sound into electric power.
  • a process of generating electric power from rotors of a vehicle that includes capturing sound from rotor movement using dynamic microphones, amplifying sound captured by the microphones using a sound amplifier and using a piezoelectric crystal to convert sound energy to electric power using a power conversion circuit.
  • a process of generating electric power from rotors of a vehicle includes converting the piezoelectric crystal into Nano rods which are used to develop a Nano generator and producing electric power by absorbing the rotor sound vibrations into the Nano rods and adapting Nano generator to produce electric power.
  • the embodiments of the present invention provide a product which runs on electricity, reuses the lost energy. Hence, it runs on a fuel that is better, inexhaustible and cheaper. Due to the AAV nature of the product, controlling the flying vehicle is easier and possible centrally with expert software applications and manually. Further, it can be controlled using wireless devices. Required safety aspects have been employed in the system to provide user comfort and protection.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

A vehicle having a flying arrangement that includes a body with a passenger cubicle and a central controller having a microprocessor, a data storage device and a core application. The central controller process instructions for producing lift and thrust using the microprocessor, the core application and uses data from the data storage device. The vehicle also has a plurality of rotors, attached to the body, each having at least one lift motor and each of the lift motor is connected to the central controller and each of the lift motor is used to produce lift based on a configuration as instructed by the central controller. Further, the vehicle also includes at least one thrust motor, attached to the body and the thrust motor Is connected to a central controller and is used to produce thrust based on a configuration as instructed by the central controller. The vehicle also has a battery section inside the body and having a plurality of batteries which are connected in a series-parallel orientation in accordance with a configuration of the central controller. The lift motors and the thrust motors of the vehicle are synchronised with the instructions of the central controller to align the rotors and function with flying arrangement of the vehicle.

Description

AUTONOMOUS AERIAL VEHICLE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to air transportation and more particularly to an air transport system and a novel method of transporting low capacity passengers and/ or freight by air.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With growing pollution, there is a constant need of energy efficient and low polluting transportation solutions. Everyone is aware of depleting ozone due to heavy reliance on fossil fuels particularly in transportation industry. Due to the need of the low cost and energy efficient transportation there have been solutions around electric cars and others involving solar energy and wind. But, due to inherent design challenges the solutions have been very costly and bulky with low capacity of distance travelled or weigh carrying capability.
Even with the Kyoto protocol and other global efforts to mitigate pollution, the rate of increase of carbon dioxide is not slowing down, it's only accelerating. If the rate of increase holds up, or gets faster, we may see a double concentration of the current share of carbon dioxide in the air of that a few years ago. Fossil fuels are used to run cars, trucks and pose a problem. Globally, these vehicles account for almost 25-35% of the carbon dioxide that is put into the air.
Electric cars have strong advantages over fossil fuel-based cars. Pure electric cars have no emissions, and hybrids have few. Electric cars are quiet. The electricity they use can come from a variety of sources. They have few moving parts and require little maintenance. For the same reason, they do not break down often and are more reliable. But, electric cars perform poorly, weigh more due to batteries, have less usable space, have limited drive range due to charge capacity, and cost high.
For mass transit systems jets are used and problems are related to their size, and scale of operations specifically to the long throw landing gear required to support the aircraft on the runway. Other problems with jet designs include the massive loss of life that would occur in a single fatal crash of such an aircraft, the inability to transport large numbers of passengers and substantial amounts of cargo at the same time, and the sheer operating expense in fuel and maintenance required for such a large and complex structure.
Autonomous aerial vehicles ("AAVs") are remotely or self-piloted aircraft that can carry cameras, sensors, communications equipment, or other payloads. An AAV is capable of controlled, sustained, levelled flight and is powered by either a jet or an engine. The AAVs may be remotely controlled or may fly autonomously based on pre-programmed flight plans or more complex dynamic automation systems.
AAVs are increasingly used for simpler applications where the use of manned flight vehicle can be avoided or is costly. Such applications include door to door delivery of postal, food items, few security and surveillance areas, target acquisition, data acquisition, and disaster management. These devices are also used for peacekeeping civilian operations including firefighting, observing crime scenes, accessing otherwise unreachable areas. The ability to implement vertical take-off and landing further improves the versatility of the vehicle devices, allowing the vehicle to be used in, for example, dense urban areas.
These days emphasis is being given to electric cars in road transport and air transport technologies for very small-scale payload delivery. Presently, the type of solutions available in the markets, are either not very efficient or unable to properly use synergistic effect of technologies to handle loads and present inefficient or costly devices.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved energy efficient, low cost, good capacity transport system capable of transporting people at near as well as larger distances without requiring much modification to currently existing technologies. It should incorporate emergency safety measures and virtually assure survival of the passengers in the event of an emergency or failure and should be highly efficient in operation and maintenance. It is to the provision of such a transport system and to a related method of transporting number of passengers and payloads that the present invention is primarily directed.
Other features and further scope of applicability of disclosed embodiments are set forth in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
To overcome the limitations associated with existing prior arts, there is a need to develop high energy efficient, low cost transportation devices for transporting people and payload over small and large distances alike.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome limitations in the prior art, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses an autonomous aerial vehicle. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, it provides a vehicle having a flying arrangement, that includes a body having a passenger cubicle, a central controller having a microprocessor, a data storage device and a core application, the central controller process instructions for producing lift and thrust using the microprocessor, the core application and uses data from the data storage device, a plurality of rotors, attached to the body, each having at least one lift motor that is connected to the central controller and is used to produce lift based on a configuration as instructed by the central controller, at least one thrust motor, attached to the body and is connected to a central controller and is used to produce thrust based on a configuration as instructed by the central controller, a battery section inside the body and having a plurality of batteries connected in a series-parallel orientation in accordance with a configuration of the central controller. The lift motors and the thrust motors are synchronized with the instructions of the central controller to align the rotors and function with flying arrangement of the vehicle.
In one embodiment, a vehicle has a data storage device and that stores data on vehicle functions and demographics.
In another embodiment, a vehicle has a battery section having batteries which are connected in series-parallel orientation. The orientation places batteries with same voltage and amp-hour capacity in series.
In another embodiment, a vehicle has a central controller that takes user inputs through a wireless connected device.
In another embodiment, a vehicle includes a power conversion circuit attached to a body of the vehicle and the power conversion circuit converts sound energy, produced by rotor movement, into an electric power using a piezoelectric crystal. The electric power is fed into batteries of a battery section of the vehicle.
In another embodiment, a vehicle has a central controller that authenticates an administrative user using fingerprinting techniques including voice, biometric or retina-based techniques.
In another embodiment, a vehicle has a plurality of storage compartments on outer body of the vehicle. Rotors of the vehicle can be moved between a stowed position inside a respective storage compartment and a deployed position outside said respective storage compartment, the shape of a storage compartment confirms to shape of the body. In another embodiment, a vehicle has rotors that are stowed in a vertical orientation position or behind the other in a lateral orientation of the vehicle.
In another embodiment, a vehicle has a core application that includes a parking identification module, a location identification module using GPS, a vicinity module to detect other land or airborne vehicles in its vicinity, a power control module to use batteries optimally and detect faults, alerts users and optimally uses the charged or discharged batteries, an alert module to initiate user alerts in case of any emergencies, an auto mode module to learn user preferences and initiate an auto driving mode, a feeder module to control recharge of batteries and receives recharge power from a power conversion circuit converting rotor moving sound into electric power.
In another embodiment, a vehicle has a feeder module connected to a universal socket and receives recharge power from an external source including solar cells, wind towers, grid- based AC source, or a battery-based DC source.
In another embodiment, a vehicle has a core application receives data from user preferences, demographics, GPS location-based inputs from local regulating or enforcement agencies, battery conditions, safety advises, load capacity, terrain information and decides the correct course of action for the core application modules.
One other embodiment of the present invention provides a method of generating electric power from rotors of a vehicle that includes capturing sound from rotor movement using dynamic microphones, amplifying sound captured by the microphones using a sound amplifier and using a piezoelectric crystal to convert sound energy to electric power using a power conversion circuit.
In another embodiment, the method of generating electric power from rotors of a vehicle includes converting the piezoelectric crystal into Nano rods which are used to develop a Nano generator and producing electric power by absorbing the rotor sound vibrations into the Nano rods and adapting Nano generator to produce electric power.
In another embodiment, the method of generating electric power from rotors of a vehicle includes regulating generated electric power using a central controller and feeding the electric power to a battery of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the method of generating electric power from rotors of a vehicle includes using piezoelectric crystal as a compound of three materials quartz [Si02], zinc oxide [ZnO] and polyvinylidene fluoride [C2H2F2] to generate electric power.
These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with greater particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described specific examples of a system and method in accordance with the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A clear understanding of the key features of the invention summarized above may be had by reference to the appended drawings, which illustrate the method and system of the invention, although it will be understood that such drawings depict preferred embodiments of the invention and, therefore, are not to be considered as limiting its scope about other embodiments which the invention is capable of contemplating. Accordingly:
Figure 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of an autonomous aerial vehicle arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of a dual motor arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 is a simplified schematic diagram of a dual motor rotor arrangement with blades in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 is a simplified schematic diagram of a battery placement structure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 is a simplified schematic diagram of a vehicle embodying the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following, reference is made to embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that invention is not limited to specific described embodiments. Instead, any combination of the following features and elements, whether related to different embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice the invention. Furthermore, in various embodiments the invention provides numerous advantages over the state of the arts. However, although embodiments of the invention may achieve advantages over other workable solutions and/ or over the state of the art, whether an advantage is achieved by a given embodiment is not limiting of the invention. Thus, the following aspects, features, embodiments and advantages are merely illustrative and are not considered elements or limitations of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in claims. Similarly, reference to the invention shall not be construed as a generalization of any inventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not be an element or limitation of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in claims.
It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved transportation system including a vehicle having multiple AAVs attached to the vehicle and controlled by a central controller to provide AAV based air transportation.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a transportation system capable of handling a variety of payloads at increased speed which utilizes, but is fully compatible with, existing right-of-way usages in urban and suburban areas.
A further object of this invention is to provide a transportation system which requires no new right-of way but uses the presently existing urban and suburban street rights-of-way without significantly adding to the congestion thereon.
An additional object of this invention is to provide a transportation system which is substantially pollution free, and which is aesthetically pleasing.
An object of the invention is to provide a transportation system which works on pollution free electricity and is both a land and an air transportation vehicle which is further made of steel body or an aluminum body for light weight.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide a transportation system having no overhead wires, exposed tracks or other safety hazards presently known to the prior art transit systems and which is unhampered by rain, ice, snow or severe weather.
It is an object of the invention that the AAV based vehicle can be controlled with taps and touches on a smartphone, tablet or a touch-based console device. Further, it also features manual control which consists of two throttles like structures.
It is further an object of the invention to provide an energy efficient and cost-effective flight/ drive range of 8000 kms and carry a payload of 350 kgs or up to 5 people in one of the solutions offered. It is further an object of the invention to provide a safe vehicle which take scare of situations such as if there is a motor failure or some system fault the vehicle would be very safely landed using parachutes, airbags, alarm, alert systems to inform centralized control and/ or passengers.
It is further an object of the invention to provide an entertainment system to the travelling passengers on an airborne controlled pod.
It is further an object of the invention to provide a controller which takes instructions from a smartphone or a similar device and instructs the driving console linked with GPS system which will help the vehicle to drive automatically to its desired direction and location without manual intervention along with a completely manual control option. It can further take voice, biometric, retina-based authentication and instructions to work.
It is further an object of the invention to provide a charging option which is universal socket and get power generated from solar cells, wind towers, from a grid-based AC source, or from a battery-based DC source.
It is an important object of the invention to provide AC induction motors inside the vehicle. Multiple of such AC induction motors are put in a special arrangement.
It is also an important object of the invention to provide a battery pack arrangement in an optimized and most efficient way.
The proposed vehicle makes transportation easier and cheaper. This vehicle can drive the passengers or fly them to desired location in less time with comfort and safety.
The device has internal parts such as motors, controller board, induction motors, dc brushless motors, GPS, antenna, body frame, wires, wheels, propellers, batteries, seats, driving console, air-bags, parachute, speedometer, sensors for security and other flight functions among others.
The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved by employing an AAV based vehicle concept which promotes the use of clean power and has high efficiency reduces the travel cost, and increases the energy efficiency, accordingly, the present provisional application details the preferred embodiments of the present invention herein below. However, the invention will be worked further within the scope and described various aspects while finalizing the complete specification.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention a wide variety of AAV shapes, sizes, and configurations can be used. Proposed AAV is a delivery system for a payload and is developed to meet the set of requirements mentioned as the objective of the invention. The current AAV vehicle can be used in numerous applications with a customized design and payload capacity. Payload management system control logic for monitoring a center of gravity and executing center of gravity adjustments may be disposed in a AAV skeletal structure portion of the AAV or in the pod portion of the AAV. A AAV for supporting the pod and payload management system may be, for example, a dual-ducted vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) AAV having a skeletal structural frame interconnecting the two ducts. Each duct may be provided with an electric-powered engine.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment of this invention, there is provided a software application and a mechanism that instructs multiple AAV devices on a single vehicle and generates the required thrust to fly or drive the vehicle in desired direction at required speed. A new controller is provided to centrally control the AAV devices and regulate the speed.
In one of the embodiment of the invention the software can work with 12 of the 40 motors in case of emergency and safely land the vehicle.
In one of the embodiment of the invention, vehicle has 4 AAV motors on each arm aligned together two on the upper side of the arm and two on back of the 10 arms in an upside-down arrangement like this we'll have 40 motors producing lift to 5000 kg of total weight by generating the required thrust.
In one of the embodiment of the invention 10,000 kW batteries are used and are connected using wires like ESC's and are connected to a controller board and central console of the vehicle.
In one of the embodiment of the invention vehicle control center communicates with a smart device with a pilot or controller and is operated wirelessly.
In one of the embodiment of the invention a battery orientation is used in the vehicle. The arrangement provides higher battery capacity and voltage with lesser amount of batteries and uses a parallel-series orientation. The AAV will have a differently designed combination of battery. The arrangement would provide higher voltages and capacity with fewer amounts of batteries. The arrangement would be a series-parallel orientation. In a series connection, batteries of like voltage and amp-hour capacity are connected to increase the voltage of the overall assembly. The positive terminals of all batteries are connected, or to a common conductor, and all negative terminals are connected in the same manner.
In one of the embodiment of the invention a rotor arrangement is used in the vehicle. The arrangement provides multiple motors each of which provide 120 kgs of thrust. In one of the arrangement 24 of such rotors provide with a total of 2.88 tons of thrust. The rotors are arranged in face up and down positions.
According to the present invention, the noise produced by the rotors of the AAV is used to manufacture energy and recharge the batteries. The AAV has a circuit which will convert the sound energy to electricity using piezoelectric effect using the piezoelectric crystal present in it. The circuit will contain the following: Dynamic Microphones in order to capture good amount of sound, sound amplifier to amplify the noise captured by the microphones in order to gain more electricity, Controller Chip in order to process the sound to next stages, piezoelectric crystal to convert sound energy to electricity the piezoelectric crystal has a compound of three materials quartz [Si02], zinc oxide [ZnO] and polyvinylidene fluoride [C2H2F2]. These particular materials are used as these three materials have very common properties and by compounding them a much powerful piezoelectric crystal is formed and also more powerful piezoelectric effect and more electricity will be produced, the voltage produced is alternative current [A ] and is not enough so in order to multiply the current a voltage multiplier is used here. A bridge rectifier is used at this place to convert the current from alternative current to direct current. Further, a voltage regulator to regulate the current is employed and generated current is used to charge the batteries. Hence, sound energy is reused by the microphones and passed on to the sound amplifier, the amplified sound is passed to controller chip which will take it forward and process it. It passes through a piezoelectric crystal that will convert the noise into useful electricity and is multiplied using a voltage multiplier and passed to bridge rectifier in order to convert the alternative current into direct current so to use it. Further, it will be passed to a voltage regulator to make sure it does not exceed the provided limit and then at last it will be used to recharge the batteries.
The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved by employing a feedback recycled generated power using piezoelectric crystals which feeds more power to the batteries and saves lot of energy, this in-turn reduces running cost, and increases the acceptability of a pollution free vehicular device.
Thus, embodiments of the invention may significantly reduce pollution and overhead operational costs.
One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention may be adapted for use with a wide variety of applications, in different platforms, structures arrangements.
Figure 1 illustrates an autonomous aerial vehicle arrangement 100 of a vehicle. The arrangement includes a central controller 104 which is a control center for functioning of the vehicle. All necessary functions of the vehicle are controlled by the central controller 104. The central controller 104 has various components such as a microprocessor 104a, a data storage device 104b, a core application 104c, and other such modules 104d, 104e, 104n. for various functions of the vehicle operations.
The primary function of the central controller 104 is to receive data from various sources, perform the analysis and execute the instructions using its various components. The central controller 104 is primarily responsible to process instructions for producing lift using rotor blades of the vehicle. For example, on receiving administrative user instructions, localized information of a vehicle is collected, and a destination is set. The central controller would check battery status and initiate electric power to motors of rotor blades connected to the vehicle. On receiving power, the motors would actuate the rotor blade movement, which is further calibrated using rotor blade pitch based on the lift instructions and the vehicle would start moving on road or fly. As soon the rotor blades start moving the sound is captured by a power conversion circuit and converted in electric power, this power is fed back to the battery and reused. The central controller also learns from instructions and saves data pertaining to various environmental, operational conditions, this data is further used by the central controller to further give suggestions to user or to take decisions in adverse conditions.
A user controller 108 instructs the central controller 104 to initiate the microprocessor 104a and process instructions suing other modules. Further, an administrator or other source data 1 10 is fed into the data storage device 104b which facilitates the central controller 104 functions. The instructions and data received on the central controller 104 are processed in accordance with the user, environmental, operational function as per one or more of modules with the core application 104c. The core application 104c includes various modules for vehicle operations such as a parking identification module 104c1 , a location identification module 104c2 using GPS, a vicinity module 104c3 to detect other land or airborne vehicles in its vicinity, a power control module 104c4 to use batteries optimally and detect faults, alerts users and optimally uses the charged or discharged batteries, an alert module 104c5 to initiate user alerts in case of any emergencies, an auto mode module 104c6 to learn user preferences and initiate an auto driving mode, a feeder module 104c7 to control recharge of batteries and receives recharge power from a power conversion circuit converting rotor moving sound into electric power, an authentication module 104c8 to authenticate the users using prevalent authentication techniques such as voice, biometric, retina or alike, a battery status indicator module 104c9 to check and share the battery health, a fingerprinting identification module 104c10 to receive the fingerprinting impressions aligned with the authentication technique, a stowed position module 104c1 1 recording and sharing data for the current stowed position of the rotor blades, a data record module 104c12 to record and save the data pertaining to vehicle operations, other necessary modules... , 104cn.
Based on the central controller 104 instructions power from pluralities of batteries connected in a battery section 1 12 is passed on to the motors 102a, 102b, 102n. A motor section 102 actuates any corresponding rotor blades of the vehicle using the attached motors 102a, 102b, 102n. The battery section 1 12 receives power through a universal socket and recharges power from an external power source 1 14 that includes solar cells, wind towers, grid-based AC source, or a battery-based DC source. The battery section 1 12 also receives power from a second source a power conversion controller 1 16. The power conversion controller 1 16 has dynamic microphones 1 16a, Nano generators 1 16b, and amplifiers 1 16c which works with a power conversion circuit of the power conversion controller 1 16.
The power conversion circuit works on the principle of a piezoelectric module, where dynamic microphones 1 16a captures rotor movement sound from the rotor blades of the vehicle upon starting and during operation. Further, the captured sound is passed on to the amplifier 1 16c to increase the amount of sound captured. Furthermore, the amplified sound is passed through a controller chip which would take the entire process around and convert the mechanical vibrations of sound into electricity. Piezoelectric materials are connected in the controller 1 16 to convert sound energy into electric energy, preferably used materials are zinc oxide, quartz and polyvinylidene fluoride. They work in a manner that they are being compounded to produce more powerful piezoelectric effect. Piezoelectric materials have high value of dielectric current, have high temperature materials and have stability. The piezoelectric transducers work on the principle of piezoelectric effect. When mechanical stress or forces are applied to some materials along certain planes, they produce electric voltage. The current generated would be alternate current and will not be enough to use so it will go through a voltage multiplier a device, which multiplies the current and make it enough for usage. Then in the next step the current will be passed through a bridge rectifier a device which is used to convert the alternative current to direct current because alternate current cannot be used for the charging of the batteries. In the following step the current will be passed through a voltage regulator a device, which regulates the flow of electricity determines that the current doesn't pass the voltage limit and damage the device. There is another proposition for the circuit conversion of sound energy into electric energy. The circuit includes the conversion of the piezoelectric material zinc oxide into Nano rods and developing a Nano generator 1 16b using it. There are several steps involved, such as device fabrication, PDMS preparation, electrode layer preparation. First, a carbon paper is dipped into a seed solution and kept for annealing, it will be dipped into the main solution. Thereafter Zinc oxide is spread in dispersed form on the carbon paper, then PDMS layering is performed by spin coating and an electrode layer is formed on the carbon paper by sputtering. The last step will be to connect wires to the carbon paper to use the device and establish electrical connections. The Nano generator 1 16b will have Nano rods which will get disturbed whenever they come in contact with mechanical vibrations and as an output they will give out electricity.
Sound produced by the vehicle rotor blades are used to generate electric power by capturing sound from rotor movement using dynamic microphones, amplifying sound captured by the microphones using a sound amplifier, using a piezoelectric crystal to convert sound energy to electric power using a power conversion circuit, converting the piezoelectric crystal into Nano rods, wherein the Nano rods are used to develop a Nano generator, producing electric power by absorbing the rotor sound vibrations into the Nano rods and adapting Nano generator to produce electric power, and regulating the electric power using a central controller and feeding the electric power to a battery of the vehicle. The piezoelectric crystal used is a compound of three materials quartz [Si02], zinc oxide [ZnO] and polyvinylidene fluoride [C2H2F2].
Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary dual motor arrangement 200 of a vehicle. A dual motor 202 is shown in the figure which has two motors (202a, 202b) arranged in upside down position and both can be selectively throttled in response to control signals received from a central controller such as a central controller 104 in Figure 1 and is in communication with an operator using a wireless network. A plurality of such motors such as 102a, 102b, 102n as shown in Figure 1 are used to create a necessary energy to drive each of the vehicle rotors through the central controller 104.
Induction motors in the present invention are AC motors, generally power input for these motors is very high. The motors used are programmed such that during any motor failure the motors can equally balance out the weight and prevent crashes. During a failure mode, an alarm system will be activated by the central controller 104 and suitable aids will be in place. The motors are controlled with help of a central intelligent control panel, which sets the thrust of the motors according to a destination provided by the user. A special orientation of the motors is used in which the motors are attached to each other in an upside-down position as shown in Figure 2 and is named as a "dual motor arrangement".
Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary dual motor rotor with blades arrangement 300 of a vehicle. The vehicle has a rotor arrangement 300 with at least two rotor blades 302a, 302b. Both rotor blades 302a, 302b are attached to the two ends of a dual motor 304. 304a is a first motor connected to the rotor blade 302a and 304b is a second motor connected to the rotor blade 302b. The vehicle has a plurality of such dual motor rotor with blades arrangement as necessary for a specific operation or an embodiment. Each of the dual motor rotor wing is attached to the body of the vehicle using a hinge 306. In an autonomous aerial vehicle fixed or varying pitch rotor blades are used with a central controller 104 controlling the vehicle motion by varying the relative speed of each of the motors 304a, 304b and in turn varying the rotor speed or direction.
A special orientation of the motors is used named as a "dual motor arrangement" where the motors are attached to each other in an upside-down position as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3. In an example, a total of 40 motors are fitted in 20 wings each with 2 of rotor blades of an AAV. Each motor has a potential to produce up to 120 kg of thrust.
The vehicle has a high maneuverable capability and provides a fast and reliable road and air transportation. The conversion between road and air transportation modes is simple and can be accomplished in few seconds. By independently controlling the rotors speeds, or by independently changing their blade pitch, a user can obtain the necessary functioning of the vehicle. The vehicle can take off or land completely vertical, like a helicopter, or it can take off and land through different ground related angles, like an airplane.
The AAV can safely land even with 12 motors working. The motors would be connected to hydraulic powered rods, which has sensors within it. If the AAV is at rest and it starts to rain, hydraulic components will fold itself preventing the motors of getting spoiled. The motors will be rotating in opposite direction to give best outputs.
Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary battery placement structure 400 of a vehicle. The vehicle of the present invention uses a differently designed arrangement of battery placement. The arrangement provides higher voltage and capacity with fewer amounts of batteries. The arrangement is a series-parallel orientation. In a series connection, batteries of like voltage and amp-hour capacity are connected to increase the voltage of the overall assembly. The positive terminals of all batteries are connected, or to a common conductor, and all negative terminals are connected in the same manner.
As depicted in Figure 4, a battery section 402 is shown with several batteries 412a, 412b, 412n. Each of the batteries 412a, 412b, 412n are connected to each other. In an example with 12 such batteries 3 set of 3 series combination batteries are connected in parallel. Such as, three set of series connected, using connectors as 406, pairs are (i) 412a, 412b, 412c; (ii) 412d, 412e, 412f; (ii) 412g, 412h, 412n. The three sets are connected via connectors as 404 and in turn connected to a positive terminal 408 and a negative terminal 410. The similar arrangement can be expanded based on the actual batteries required for an embodiment.
The battery arrangement used in present invention is optimized to provide the maximum output with the help of manipulation voltage and amp hours in the batteries. By connecting batteries in such arrangement, for example, four batteries each of 10-amp hours and 6 volts the total output by a series-parallel connection will be 20 amps and 12 volts, the capacity as well as the voltage will be substantially increased. Therefore, the batteries would be able to be used for longer.
There are two more types of arrangements that can be used in series-parallel. In a series connection the batteries are connected so that the voltages add up and capacity remains same. In a parallel connection the capacity increase but voltage remains the same. In the present invention batteries are connected by linking a negative terminal of 1 st battery to a positive terminal of 2nd battery and a negative terminal of 2nd battery to a positive terminal of 3rd battery, then connecting negative terminals of 3rd and 6th battery and positive terminals of 1st and 4th battery.
Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary vehicle 500. The vehicle 500 includes internal parts such as motors, central controller, GPS, antenna, body frame, wires, wheels, propellers, batteries, interiors, driving console, touchscreen console, airbags, parachute and rest of operational items as found in any typical aerial or land vehicles.
The vehicle 500 of the present invention stores its connected rotor blades in a compact configuration inside a body of the vehicle 500 during the land or unused mode. It helps in minimizing size of the vehicle 500 and protects rotor blades from environmental damage. In a flying mode, the vehicle 500 uses multiple unfolded rotor blades to create the necessary lift and fly out the vehicle 500.
The vehicle 500 comprises a main body that is in a shape of a land car/ flying vehicle and which has a front end, a rear end and side storage compartment cover doors 502 and 504 which cover the rotor blades as shown in Figure 3. The rotor blades can open and rotate independently with the mechanism around the transverse axis. The main body includes side rotors storage compartments 502 and 504 to store the rotor blades during the non-operation of the vehicle 500. The transformation of the vehicle 500 between the land and air configuration is minimal and can be rapidly done automatically, with no need of the operator help.
Additional parts of the vehicle include safety and performance sensors, parachute system/ airbags, entertainment system such as Bluetooth speakers and central touch screen console, an air condition system, an accelerometer, an odometer, drone mode, auto pilot mode, location identification, user and administrator authentication, battery recharge options, GPS, intelligent adaptation to modern assistance like Alexa, Siri etc. and working with voice commends, wireless console based instructions.
Proposed solution has a system with electric motors that runs on electricity instead of fossil fuel which is better, inexhaustible and cost effective.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, there is provided a vehicle having a flying arrangement, that includes a body having a passenger cubicle, a central controller having a microprocessor, a data storage device and a core application, the central controller process instructions for producing lift and thrust using the microprocessor, the core application and uses data from the data storage device, a plurality of rotors, attached to the body, each having at least one lift motor that is connected to the central controller and is used to produce lift based on a configuration as instructed by the central controller, at least one thrust motor, attached to the body and is connected to a central controller and is used to produce thrust based on a configuration as instructed by the central controller, a battery section inside the body and having a plurality of batteries connected in a series-parallel orientation in accordance with a configuration of the central controller. The lift motors and the thrust motors are synchronized with the instructions of the central controller to align the rotors and function with flying arrangement of the vehicle.
In accordance with one other preferred embodiment of this invention, there is provided a vehicle having a battery section having batteries which are connected in series-parallel orientation. The orientation places batteries with same voltage and amp-hour capacity in series.
In accordance with one other preferred embodiment of this invention, there is provided a vehicle that includes a power conversion circuit attached to a body of the vehicle and the power conversion circuit converts sound energy, produced by rotor movement, into an electric power using a piezoelectric crystal. The electric power is fed into batteries of a battery section of the vehicle.
In accordance with one other preferred embodiment of this invention, there is provided a vehicle having a core application that includes a parking identification module, a location identification module using GPS, a vicinity module to detect other land or airborne vehicles in its vicinity, a power control module to use batteries optimally and detect faults, alerts users and optimally uses the charged or discharged batteries, an alert module to initiate user alerts in case of any emergencies, an auto mode module to learn user preferences and initiate an auto driving mode, a feeder module to control recharge of batteries and receives recharge power from a power conversion circuit converting rotor moving sound into electric power.
In accordance with one other preferred embodiment of this invention, there is provided a process of generating electric power from rotors of a vehicle that includes capturing sound from rotor movement using dynamic microphones, amplifying sound captured by the microphones using a sound amplifier and using a piezoelectric crystal to convert sound energy to electric power using a power conversion circuit.
In accordance with one other preferred embodiment of this invention, there is provided a process of generating electric power from rotors of a vehicle includes converting the piezoelectric crystal into Nano rods which are used to develop a Nano generator and producing electric power by absorbing the rotor sound vibrations into the Nano rods and adapting Nano generator to produce electric power. The embodiments of the present invention provide a product which runs on electricity, reuses the lost energy. Hence, it runs on a fuel that is better, inexhaustible and cheaper. Due to the AAV nature of the product, controlling the flying vehicle is easier and possible centrally with expert software applications and manually. Further, it can be controlled using wireless devices. Required safety aspects have been employed in the system to provide user comfort and protection.
While the present invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, in both summarized and detailed forms, it is not intended that these descriptions in any way limit its scope to any such embodiments and applications, and it will be understood that many substitutions, changes and variations in the described embodiments, applications and details of the method and system illustrated herein and of their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Claims

I Claim:
1 . A vehicle having a flying arrangement, said vehicle comprising:
a body having a passenger cubicle;
a central controller having a microprocessor, a data storage device and a core application, wherein the central controller process instructions for producing lift and thrust using the microprocessor, the core application and uses data from the data storage device;
a plurality of rotors, attached to the body, each having at least one lift motor, wherein each of the lift motor is connected to the central controller and each of the lift motor is used to produce lift based on a configuration as instructed by the central controller;
at least one thrust motor, attached to the body, wherein the thrust motor is connected to a central controller and is used to produce thrust based on a configuration as instructed by the central controller;
a battery section inside the body and having a plurality of batteries, wherein the batteries are connected in a series-parallel orientation in accordance with a configuration of the central controller;
wherein the lift motors and the thrust motors are synchronized with the instructions of the central controller to align the rotors and function with flying arrangement of the vehicle.
2. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the data storage device stores data on vehicle functions and demographics.
3. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the battery section has the batteries connected in series-parallel orientation, wherein the orientation places batteries with same voltage and amp-hour capacity in series.
4. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the central controller takes user inputs through a wireless connected device.
5. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a power conversion circuit attached to the body, wherein the power conversion circuit converts sound energy, produced by rotor movement, into an electric power using a piezoelectric crystal, wherein the electric power is fed into the batteries of the battery section of the vehicle.
6. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the central controller further authenticates an administrative user using fingerprinting techniques including voice, biometric or retina-based techniques.
7. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of storage compartments on outer body of the vehicle, wherein the rotors can be moved between a stowed position inside a respective storage compartment and a deployed position outside said respective storage compartment, wherein shape of a storage compartment confirms to shape of the body;
8. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rotors are stowed in a vertical orientation position or behind the other in a lateral orientation of the vehicle.
9. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the core application further comprising:
a parking identification module;
a location identification module using GPS;
a vicinity module to detect other land or airborne vehicles in its vicinity;
a power control module to use batteries optimally, wherein the power control module detects faults, alerts users and optimally uses the charged or discharged batteries;
an alert module to initiate user alerts in case of any emergencies; an auto mode module to learn user preferences and initiate an auto driving mode;
a feeder module to control recharge of batteries, wherein the feeder module takes recharge power from a power conversion circuit converting rotor moving sound into electric power.
10. The vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the feeder module is connected to a universal socket and receives recharge power from an external source including solar cells, wind towers, grid-based AC source, or a battery-based DC source.
1 1 . The vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the core application receives data from user preferences, demographics, GPS location-based inputs from local regulating or enforcement agencies, battery conditions, safety advises, load capacity, terrain information and decides the correct course of action for the core application modules.
12. A method of generating electric power from rotors of a vehicle, further comprising:
capturing sound from rotor movement using dynamic microphones; amplifying sound captured by the microphones using a sound amplifier;
using a piezoelectric crystal to convert sound energy to electric power using a power conversion circuit.
13. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising:
converting the piezoelectric crystal into Nano rods, wherein the Nano rods are used to develop a Nano generator;
producing electric power by absorbing the rotor sound vibrations into the Nano rods and adapting Nano generator to produce electric power.
14. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising: regulating the electric power using a central controller and feeding the electric power to a battery of the vehicle.
15. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric crystal is a compound of three materials quartz |SI02], 2inc oxide [ZnO] and polyvinylidene fluoride [ C2H2F2],
PCT/IN2018/050723 2017-11-09 2018-11-08 Autonomous aerial vehicle WO2019092743A1 (en)

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