Russia Develops System to Protect Drones From Extreme Heat
Cooling module is to allow unmanned aircraft to operate reliably in deserts and tropical climates
Students at the Moscow Aviation Institute and the Godovikov Polytechnic College have developed a system designed to shield drones from extreme heat, the university’s press service said. The technology is built to withstand temperatures of up to +60 C in desert and tropical regions. Thanks to the new system, temperatures of key onboard components can be kept at around +30 C.
Device Design and Operating Principle
The system itself is a compact cooling module weighing about 1.2 kg. It includes a compressor, condenser, evaporator, expansion valve, refrigerant, and pressure and temperature sensors. The unit can be installed on virtually any drone and mounts onto elements of the airframe.
A closed-loop refrigeration cycle prevents onboard electronics from overheating in hot climates. The refrigerant absorbs excess heat and lowers the temperature of onboard systems as it cools and evaporates.
The developers have already tested the module at high temperatures. Further trials are planned under conditions of high humidity and airborne dust. Engineers also plan to reduce its weight and energy consumption.
