How can we improve the fuel efficiency of our Unmanned Aerial Vehicles? One item reviewed is the need for electrical energy to run all the computer processors, flight control systems and lights. There may be a way to save some electrical energy in todays modern military UAVs. By improving efficiency, we can have enhanced performance without sacrificing fuel usage and shorten the range of the aircraft. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles need to loiter in the battlespace for hours, in fact the longer the better, then return back to a safe base or to a flying gas station for aerial refueling. We can save energy used for landing lights on UAVs by going to an LED Light which works off engine harmonic resonance and vibrations. I propose that the landing light be powered up using electromagnetic induction technology to charge a capacitor instead of the headlights working off the aircraft battery or electrical system. Currently there are some nifty micro-flashlights being used which you can buy which use a similar technique and are available thanks to the Everlite Flashlight technology research lab. These smaller flashlights work by shaking them for about thirty seconds and shine for about 6 minutes and they shine quite bright since they use a very bright LED light. Here is a link to this home use flashlight: http://www.modernoutpost.com/gear/details/ee_shakelight.html Here is a quick movie you can watch online to see how this technology works. http://www.modernoutpost.com/gear/movies/ee_forever.MPG I propose we use the engine rumble and harmonic beat to light the landing light and navigation lights, when needed. If the lights get too dim from the power or engine being off as it glides dead stick into the pre-selected airport, then the system would revert back to the battery if needed. Perhaps this is a good way to save fuel? Think on this. |
