DE202004018021U1 - Liquid pump for injection of smoke generating medium into exhaust region of unmanned aircraft propulsion drive for visual tracking using switching valve in combination with electric pump - Google Patents

Abstract

The liquid pump (1) is used in combination with an electrically-operated switching valve (2), for supplying a volumetric flow of the pumped smoke generating medium from a supply container (5) to the exhaust region (3) via an injection line (4). The pump is operated by an electronically-regulated electric motor (6), with the closure of the switching valve preventing emptying of the injection line as a result of suction pressure in the exhaust region.

Description

liquid pump to promote of smoke-generating substances with active shut-off element for or rotary piston engines and turbine engines in unmanned Aircraft The field of application consists primarily of unmanned aircraft, its exhaust area by injecting a smoke-generating medium should be made visible.

was standing the technique of promotion mostly liquid, smoke-producing media into the exhaust area of unmanned aerial vehicles are either fluid pumps which are usually designed as gear or diaphragm pumps, however without further volume shut-off elements, or a pneumatic Conveyor system where a liquid reservoir with a nearly constant pressure is applied, and the volume flow by opening or close a directional control valve is controlled. The smoke production happens in both cases by evaporation of the most liquid Medium in, heated by the combustion drive, exhaust gas area of the unmanned aerial vehicle, it being irrelevant whether that heated exhaust gas is a byproduct of the drive generation as a Piston engine is the driving element itself, like one Turbine jet engine, or a product of both variants as in a turbine propeller engine. The purpose of this smoke production is one, for an observer from the ground better traceability of the unmanned aerial vehicle described trajectory.

The The problem is that the systems available so far are different Have disadvantages in handling and function. So has one liquid pump to promote smoke-producing substances without active shut-off on the one hand Problem that the pump element functionally even at a standstill can not be flow-blocking in the direction of flow, so that the smoke-generating medium flows independently into the exhaust area and depending after ordering the entire system also a consequential damage occur can, at least but the function is disturbed to the effect that a part of the intended for the production of smoke medium without the desired effect escapes, or the entire system after commissioning can not be switched off anymore, since the flow through the pump element is not actively stopped, on the other hand depending on the configuration of the entire system in particular the arrangement in the exhaust area it to an overpressure in the injection line can come, and thereby the injection line over the liquid pump emptied, with a startup at empty injection line at least delayed often, but also by a poor suction of the liquid pump conditionally at all not possible anymore is.

One pneumatic conveyor system however, has disadvantages, especially in the field of handling. So it is necessary the storage tank stable in pressure and thus harder to make, furthermore it is either to carry a pressure accumulator or a pressure generator. Besides that is it requires the storage tank for the purpose of refueling, or after the filling process to close again.

The liquid pump to promote of smoke-producing substances with active shut-off element the advantages of a pneumatic conveying system with those of a usual liquid pump and is therefore reliable and easy to handle. One unintentional escape of the smoke-producing medium, as well as by an overpressure In the exhaust area conditional emptying of the injection line is through prevents an active barrier. Furthermore, there are no special ones activities for filling of the storage container required because it is not pressurized.

functionality

The liquid pump ( 1 ) is driven by a drive element ( 6 ). At the same time the directional valve opens ( 2 ) whereby a volume flow from the reservoir ( 5 ) via the injection line ( 4 ) in the exhaust area ( 3 ) he follows. If the system is taken out of service, closes in any case, the directional control valve ( 2 ), whereby an undesirable escape of the medium from the reservoir ( 5 ) in the exhaust area ( 3 ), as well as a by overpressure in the exhaust gas area ( 3 ) conditional emptying of the injection line ( 4 ) via the liquid pump ( 1 ) to the reservoir ( 5 ), can be excluded.

Claims (7)

Liquid pump for conveying smoke-generating substances with active shut-off element for piston or rotary piston engines and turbine engines in unmanned aerial vehicles, characterized in that a liquid pump ( 1 ) in conjunction with a directional control valve ( 2 ) a volume flow of the medium to be pumped from a reservoir ( 5 ) via the injection line ( 4 ) in the exhaust area ( 3 ) and when it is shut down by the closed directional control valve ( 2 ) can not lead to an overhang of funding. characterized in that the directional control valve ( 2 ) is primarily electrically actuated from claim 1 characterized in that the drive of the liquid pump ( 1 ) is carried out according to claim 1 primarily by an electric motor. characterized in that the flow rate the liquid pump Switchable and variable according to claim 1 by a control electronics is. characterized in that the supply energy for the pump drive ( 6 ) and the directional valve ( 2 ) according to claims 2 and 3 can be removed from the circuit of the control electronics of claim 4. characterized in that the liquid pump ( 1 ) is placed directly on the drive shaft of the electric motor according to claim 1 according to claim 1. characterized in that the directional control valve ( 2 ) of claim 1 for the purpose of better suction of the liquid pump ( 1 ) can also be controlled independently of the pump.