Propulsion System for an In-situ Acoustic Wildfire Suppression Unmanned Vehicle
20230278733 · 2023-09-07
Inventors
Cpc classification
F03H1/0062
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B64D45/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B64U20/60
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B64D2045/009
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B64C39/024
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B64U20/80
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B64U50/13
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B64C15/02
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Y02T50/60
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
International classification
B64U50/13
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B64C15/02
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B64U20/80
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B64U20/60
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B64D45/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A propulsion system for an aerial vehicle having a wing structure operating in a wildfire environment, wherein the wing structure includes a drive extending through a top and a bottom surface of the wing structure and configured to provide a thrust through the top and bottom surface of the wing structure along a vertical axis of the aerial vehicle. The drive may be magnetohydrodynamic drive or an open Nacelle Fan assembly. The drive may be magnetohydrodynamic drive or an open Nacelle Fan assembly The Open Nacelle Propulsion Fan uses a drive mechanism with an induced magnetic field generated by an induction coil housed within the fan assembly open to the ambient environment, a counter-rotating fan assembly including a first fan rotating clockwise, and configured to adjust the pitch of the propulsion fan, thereby enabling the aerial vehicle's thrust to be vectored as determined by the command module.
Claims
1. A propulsion system for an aerial vehicle having a wing structure operating in a wildfire environment, comprising: the wing structure including a drive extending through a top and a bottom surface of the wing structure and configured to provide a thrust through the top and bottom surface of the wing structure along a vertical axis of the aerial vehicle.
2. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the drive is a magnetohydrodynamic drive (MHD) having an induction coil, the MHD extending through the wing structure and having an inlet and an outlet, the MHD being configured to receive and accelerate ambient ionized air through the MHD to thereby create a thrust by the interaction between the ambient ionized air and the induction coil.
3. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the drive is an Open Nacelle Propulsion Fan Assembly including a propulsion fan.
4. The propulsion system of claim 3, wherein the Open Nacelle Propulsion Fan Assembly includes a propeller.
5. The propulsion system of claim 2, further comprising a command module operatively connected to the drive for controlling the MHD.
6. The propulsion system of claim 3, further comprising a command module operatively connected to the drive for controlling the Open Nacelle Propulsion Fan Assembly.
7. The propulsion system of claim 6, further comprising an open fan type thruster mounted within the Open Nacelle Fan Assembly and configured to adjust the pitch of the propulsion fan, thereby enabling the aerial vehicle's thrust to be vectored as determined by the command module.
8. The propulsion system of claim 6, further comprising an open fan subsystem open to the ambient environment to allow debris to freely pass through without becoming trapped therein.
9. The propulsion system of claim 6, further comprising a primary drive mechanism using an induced magnetic field generated by an induction coil housed within the Open Nacelle Propulsion Fan Assembly.
10. The propulsion system of claim 8, further comprising a counter-rotating fan assembly including a first fan rotating clockwise and a second fan rotating counterclockwise such that the angular momentum of the first fan is offset by the second fan.
11. The propulsion system of claim 9 further comprising: a. A bearing system for the propulsion fan is made from ceramic materials that are highly polished to avoid the need for lubrication; and b. A magnetic bearing system for the propulsion fan made from a high temperature magnetic material such as Samarium Cobalt or electromagnets; wherein the command module supplies an AC voltage to the induction coil which magnetically influences the rotation of the propulsion fan while the amplitude and frequency of the supplied AC voltage determines the speed of rotation of the propulsion fan.
12. The propulsion system of claim 6, further comprising accelerometers housed throughout the aerial vehicle operatively connected to the command module to detect lateral and horizontal motion induced by turbulent forces within a wildfire.
13. The propulsion system of claim 6 further comprising an MHD to achieve the desired thrust magnitude and vector for control of the aerial vehicle.
14. The propulsion system of claim 12 further comprising: a. MHD Ports, each said MHD port having an induction coil housed within a heat shield, which produces a magnetic field controlled by an AC voltage signal from the command module; and b. Accelerometers mounted within the aerial vehicle and operatively connected to the command module that uses data from the accelerometers to determine which MHD Ports to energize, and to what amplitude, in order to achieve the desired thrust magnitude and vector for control of the aerial vehicle.
15. The propulsion system of claim 13, wherein the wing structure is configured as a Delta Wing providing a large surface area on which the buoyant forces of the wildfire can provide lift to the aerial vehicle.
16. The propulsion system of claim 13, wherein the wing structure is constructed of a material that withstands temperatures of 1650 Celsius or greater in heavily oxidizing and carbon dusting environments, the material being made of ultra-high temperature ceramics, refractory metals/alloys, carbon fiber composites, C/SiC, SiC/SiC, coated C/C, metal matrix composites, ceramic matrix composites, ceramic matrix ablators, carbon ablators, carbon-carbon ablators, aerogels, polymer matrix composites, silicates, silicides, borides, carbides, graphites, graphene, high-enthalpy alloys, MAX alloys, stainless steels, titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, superalloys, steels, wrought alloys, cast alloys, additively manufactured alloys, and abradable materials, and low-density rock materials such as steatite and lava rock, impact resistant coverings or coatings that are resistant to projectile damage to areas of the propulsion system.
17. The propulsion system of claim 14, further comprising sensors integrated into the aerial vehicle such that critical damage thresholds would be detected to prompt vehicle exit from service to avoid catastrophic loss, with a protective architecture for external surfaces may include any combination of screens, pins, fins, plugs, engineered surface angles, nodules, and abradable/sacrificial materials.
18. The propulsion system of claim 15, further comprising one or more secondary command modules linked to accelerometers housed throughout the aircraft to detect lateral and horizontal motion induced by the turbulent forces within the wildfire and to activate the respective propulsion subsystem(s) to counteract unwanted motion in order to maintain stability, able to slow the rotation of the propulsion fans to induce the required lift, roll, pitch, or yaw for attitude adjustment of the aerial vehicle.
19. The propulsion system of claim 16, further comprising one or more tertiary command modules for processing software components, computer executable instructions, one or more system memories with computer readable media in the form of volatile memory, read only memory random-access memory, non-volatile memory, and other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media, operating systems, signal selection software, and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or are operated on by one or more processors.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detailed embodiments with reference to the drawings. The embodiments illustrate this invention but are not intended to limit the scope of this invention.
[0023] The Command Module in this invention is linked to the Urban Traffic Management systems, Beyond Visual Line of Sight systems, microwave systems, infrared, near-red, LIDAR, GPS, Altimeter, communication systems, gyroscope, collision detection/situational awareness sensors, pressure sensors, geofencing sensors, air pressure relief system, structural integrity monitor devices, air intake, compressor and air flow monitors and control mechanisms, air flow monitor of the convergent divergent nozzle system, flame detection, thermal detection, collision detection and avoidance, internal and external environment temperature monitors, electrical generation and distribution, battery usage and charging, filtration, propulsion systems, microelectricalmechanical systems, thermal storage, thermal transfer, cooling systems, Radio Frequency Identification, flight controllers, accelerometers and other devices, systems, and apparatus, where data from onboard systems is utilized by the Command Module to activate and adjust each propulsion system to meet the stability demands required to operate the vehicle.
[0024] The Command Module comprises a control unit, configured to control operations of the device. For example, the control unit may comprise a computing device and/or an integrated circuit. The control unit may comprise a processor, such as a microcontroller.
[0025] Each propulsion subsystem is linked with a pressure sensor, air pressure relief system, structural integrity monitor devices, air flow monitor, and control mechanism.
[0026] Each pneumatic line of this invention is additionally fitted with an air backflow preventer. The backflow preventer and solenoid of the compressor intake lines may be fitted at or in closer proximity to where the airline is connected to the air compressor and may require a diameter that is four times to ten times greater than the airline itself to ensure laminar flow. The intake of air is required to be at a rate higher or equal to the flow rate of air that is expelled.
[0027] A protective cage, or mesh of large enough coarseness to not substantially impede airflow, where the propulsion system or a part thereof is directly exposed to the external environment can be affixed to the vehicle to prevent external or environmental debris impacting, blocking, or otherwise interfering with operation of a given propulsion subsystem.
[0028] This invention will employ thermal insulating materials to stem heat transfer from the exterior surfaces of the invention toward the more temperature-sensitive interior elements. Insulative materials and the architecture of the insulating media are employed, in concert, to control overall thermal protection in the invention. An array of sensors will assess necessary temperature controls in real-time. Strategic arrays of highly conductive materials may be integrated into the invention to preferentially direct heat toward external surfaces of the invention.
[0029] The material concepts/group comprised of this invention, though not limited to, one or more of the following: ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTC), refractory metals/alloys, carbon fiber composites, C/SiC, SiC/SiC, coated C/C, metal matrix composites, ceramic matrix composites, ceramic matrix ablators, carbon ablators, carbon-carbon ablators, aerogels, polymer matrix composites, silicates, silicides, graphites, graphene, borides, carbides, high-enthalpy alloys, MAX alloys, stainless steels, titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, superalloys, steels, wrought alloys, cast alloys, additively manufactured alloys, and abradable materials, and low-density rock materials such as steatite and lava rock. Materials definitions will withstand up to 1650 Celsius temperatures in heavily oxidizing and carbon dusting environments; an impact resistant covering or coating that impedes/eliminates projectile damage to areas of the propulsion system exposed to the external surface of the outer vessel. Such concepts include diverting potentially damaging articles away from surfaces.
[0030] Sensors would be integrated into the protective concepts such that critical damage thresholds would be detected to prompt vehicle exit from service to avoid catastrophic loss. Protective architectures for external surfaces may include any combination of screens, pins, fins, plugs, engineered surface angles, nodules, abradable/sacrificial materials.
[0031] Utilization of heat pipes, thermosiphons, and similar art known to the heat management technical community will provide temperature controls in the component such that material property limits, both physical and mechanical, will not be exceeded.
[0032] Electrical onboard power that is necessary for invention operation is generated through the conversion of heat energy to electrical energy. The invention scavenges and/or search for and collect heat from the fire environment and converts it to electricity through Thermoelectric, Thermoacoustic, Thermophotovoltaic, fuel cells, Stirling, microwave, or other energy conversion state-of-the-art either possessed in the open literature or with the inventor. Actual type, size, number of device(s), required electrical load, how connected, controlled, and placement to the vehicle to be demonstrated where the size, configuration, and specific design of the vehicle is determined, not here. The flight control system may contain an autonomous software and software programming for controlling precise flight operations of the apparatus.
[0033] One or more Command Modules will utilize data and programmed information based on data collected from one or more sensors (e.g., infrared sensor, temperature sensor). The processing of methods and systems can be performed by software components and can be described in the general context of computer executable instructions, such as program modules, execution by one or more computers, computing devices, or other devices. The system memory further comprises computer readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random-access memory, and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory, and other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. The system memory typically contains data such as the signal selection data and/or program modules such as an operating system and the signal selection software that are immediately accessible to and/or are presently operated on by the one or more processors.
[0034] Aerial Vehicle—Magnetohydrodynamics
[0035] Advantageously, the present invention's aircraft propulsion system utilizes Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) for propulsion. A magnetohydrodynamic drive is a method for propelling vehicles using only electric_ and magnetic fields_with no moving parts. In the field of magnetohydrodynamics the working fluid is the air heated to become electrically conductive. Using magnetohydrodynamics the drive mechanism is accomplished by accelerating a gas as an electrically conductive propellant. The fluid is directed to the rear and as a reaction, the vehicle accelerates forward. Air flow to the rear of the vehicle can be achieved passively, relying upon the air flow patterns generated by the fire environment. Heat tubes within the fuselage of the vehicle are configured to direct the flow of heated, ionized air, from the ambient environment to the MHD port, where in passing through the (rear of the) MHD port and interfacing with the magnetic coils of the MHD system, providing forward (vehicle movement) thrust. In an MHD drive, the solid moving rotor, is replaced by the fluid acting directly as the propellant. If the ambient working fluid is moving relatively to the magnetic field, charge separation induces an electric potential difference that can be harnessed with electrodes. In a flame, conductivity of the air atoms occurs because the temperature is high enough to cause the atoms to knock into each other and rip off electrons.
[0036] The Navier Stokes equation of fluid dynamics and Maxwell's equation of electromagnetism describes the forces created on a fluid, wherein a magnetic field can induce currents in a moving conductive fluid. The amplitude and frequency of the supplied voltage determine the intensity and direction of the field. Advantageously, these magnetic fields utilize conductivity within the heated ambient air within the flames of the wildfire by interacting with such conductive and ionized particles and accelerate them in the form of a fluid passing through the MHD Ports (30), such conductivity in air increases with temperature, thus increases the efficacy of MHD as the environment gets hotter. The Command Module is able to use data feedback from the accelerometers mounted within the aircraft to determine which MHD Ports (30) to energize, and to what amplitude, in order to achieve the desired thrust magnitude and vector for aircraft control. To achieve the level of ionized air required by the MHD to power the aircraft, the aircraft must be proximate to or within the evolved fire environment.
[0037] Aerial Vehicle
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[0040] In another embodiment of
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[0044] In another embodiment of
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[0046] An aerial vehicle utilizing a propulsion system that uses open fan type thrusters are shown in
[0047] In
[0048] In another embodiment of
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[0051] (2) Aerial Vehicle—Delta Wing with an Open Nacelle Propulsion Fan
[0052] In another embodiment,
[0053] The Command Module's programming algorithm, utilizing data from one or more onboard air particle counter (not shown) mounted to or within the wing assembly, and optionally proximate to the MHD port openings to measure ion concentration flow to and through the MHD, ion concentration of the air space within a predetermined area of displacement surrounding the aircraft, and may be further linked to an onboard spectrographic device (not shown) to measure the ion concentration, along with thermal, accelerometer, air pressure, particulate matter density, humidity and other flight control systems, will determine the point of sufficiency of ion concentration necessary to operate the MHD system, activate the MHD system, and further determine whether to operate the open nacelle fan propulsion system in conjunction with the MHD, or the open nacelle fan propulsion system by itself. The Command Module will further determine the operating speed and pitch of the open nacelle fan propulsion system.
[0054] Track Vehicle
[0055] To operate a manned or unmanned ground-based vehicle within an active fire situation to deliver a fire suppression system therein, and perform within an extreme high temperature environment for an extended period of time, it is necessary to equip the vehicle, its components, and its drive system from the thermal impact of such heat conditions.
[0056] In one embodiment,
[0057] As further noted within this embodiment,
[0058] In the embodiments of
[0059] The embodiment of the ground-based system would utilize a high temperature wheel (2), shown in
[0060] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specifications and practice disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
TABLE-US-00001 COMPONENT LIST OF THE INVENTION Ground-based system utilizing a high temperature wheel 2 Internal channel 4 Ground based vehicle track system 6 Ground based vehicle 8 Track Gears 14 Internal channel 16 High temperature bearing 18 Center shaft 20 Track Plates 22 Propulsion Fans 24 Central shaft 25 Open nacelle propulsion fan system 26 Magnetic Propulsion Fan bearing 27 Radial nacelles 28 MHD Ports 30 MHD port perimeter 33 Sound wave fire suppression device 34 Aerial vehicle 35 Aircraft wing 36 Wing structure 37 Area of the vehicle from which the suppression sound 38 wave is projected MHD Port top 41 MHD Port bottom 42 Heat resistant 43 Air exit port 44 Through wing placement of MHD ports 45 Induction coils 46 Opposite side of the wing 47 Posterior section of the wing structure 48 Anterior section of the wing 50 Rear view of the vehicle 52