Application of 24kW Tethered Drone DC/DC Power Module
Application of 24kW Tethered Drone DC/DC Power Module
Tethered drones, as an innovative application in the field of drones, are connected to a ground power supply system through photoelectric composite cables, enabling long-term and uninterrupted aerial energy supply. The DC/DC power module for tethered drones, as a core component of this system, carries significant technical challenges and importance. This article will delve into the technical details, application scenarios, and future development trends of tethered drone power supplies.
I. Technical Analysis of Tethered Drone Power Supplies
Ground Power System
The ground emergency power generation system or municipal power supply system converts standard AC power into high-voltage DC power, typically ranging from 1200V to 1500V, and transmits it to the tethered drone via the tethered cable. This process involves power electronics conversion technology, including rectification, filtering, and boosting. To enhance transmission efficiency, soft-switching technology and advanced PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control strategies are commonly adopted. Additionally, the ground power supply must include protection functions such as overcurrent, overvoltage, and short-circuit protection to ensure safe system operation. For tethered drones of different power ratings, DC/DC power modules with varying power modules are utilized to achieve optimal energy conversion ratios. For tethered drones of different weights, power supplies with different power ratings, such as the 24kW tethered drone DC/DC power supply, are employed. To reduce the overall weight of the drone, high-density and highly integrated designs are adopted to minimize the volume and weight of the onboard power supply. The onboard power supply generates significant heat during the energy conversion process, necessitating effective cooling measures to ensure stable system operation.
Tethered Cable and Transmission Technology
The 24kW tethered drone DC/DC power supply provides 24kW of energy to the drone, accounting for the weight of the tethered cable, the drone itself, and onboard equipment. High-voltage DC (HVDC) transmission technology is adopted due to its advantages such as high transmission efficiency, low line losses, and strong electromagnetic interference resistance. To further improve transmission efficiency, multi-core cables and differential signal transmission technology can be utilized.
Onboard Power Management System
The onboard power management system is responsible for converting the received high-voltage DC power into low-voltage DC power required by the drone and managing and controlling it precisely. This includes functions such as voltage regulation, current limiting, over-temperature protection, and short-circuit protection. To achieve efficient and stable power supply, advanced power electronics devices (e.g., DSP, MOSFET, IGBT) and control algorithms (e.g., PID control, fuzzy control) are typically used in the onboard power supply. Furthermore, to reduce system weight and volume, a high-density and highly integrated design is employed.
The HLF24K-D60-1400KW is an onboard DC/DC power supply for heavy-duty tethered drones. With an input power supply voltage of 1300V-1400V and an output power of 24kW, it boasts a conversion efficiency of approximately 97%. High-voltage DC power generated by a diesel generator is converted and connected to the onboard DC/DC power supply HLF15K-D60-1400KW (note: there may be a discrepancy between the model mentioned earlier and this one, assuming HLF15K-D60-1400KW is a typographical error or a variant suitable for the context) for use in the tethered drone system, which then outputs 60V low-voltage power to the tethered drone. The drone is used for emergency lighting, disaster relief, emergency communications, etc. The onboard DC/DC power supply features temperature protection measures, actively reducing output power to protect the power supply when other power supplies exceed safe temperatures. The onboard DC/DC power supply utilizes CAN communication. It meets stringent safety and reliability requirements, with components that are automotive-grade and have undergone rigorous and reliable testing to withstand the harsh operating environments of drones, ensuring normal operation in such environments. The onboard DC/DC power supply must meet strict safety, reliability, and performance requirements during design and production. It exhibits excellent shock resistance and temperature tolerance. To mitigate the impact of vibration and temperature changes on the circuit board during flight, solutions such as rubber pads for shock absorption and heat sinks for cooling are adopted, preventing thermal damage due to temperature rise and ensuring stable power supply operation.
Intelligent Monitoring and Remote Management
To enhance the reliability and maintainability of tethered drone power supplies, researchers are integrating intelligent and remote monitoring capabilities into the system. This includes real-time monitoring of power supply operating status, fault warning, remote control, and data analysis functions. By adopting IoT technology, cloud computing platforms, and big data analysis technology, remote monitoring and management of tethered drone power supplies can be achieved, improving system automation levels and operation and maintenance efficiency.
II. Application Scenarios of Tethered Drone Power Supplies
Tethered drone power supplies have diverse and widespread application scenarios. In areas such as forest fire prevention, emergency lighting, disaster search and rescue, and emergency communications, tethered drones play an irreplaceable role. They can carry infrared thermal imaging cameras, lighting equipment, search and rescue equipment, and communication equipment to provide valuable support for rescue efforts. Furthermore, tethered drones exhibit tremendous potential in applications such as power line inspection, environmental monitoring, and agricultural plant protection.
