thesis_presentation_smitley
TRANSCRIPT
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Development of a cross-flow fan powered quad-rotor UAV
By: E.D. Smitley, LT USNThesis Advisor: A.J. GannonCo-Advisor: G.V. Hobson
Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Presentation Overview
• Objective and Motivation• Background Information• Design Overview• Successful Flight Video• Conclusion• Questions
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Objective and Motivation
• Objective:– Create a vertical take-off quad-rotor cross-
flow fan (CFF) airframe• Motivation:
– Vertical take-off and transition to conventional forward flight
– Similar to Osprey, but without open rotors– Mechanically simple– Only conventional CFF flight vehicles exist
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
What is a CFF?
INTAKE
EXHAUST
ROTATION
1. 2.
3. 4.
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Why a CFF for thrust?• Long length for
embedding into a wing• No limit on length other
than structural• Similar thrust to VTOL
and STOL designs• Safety in hover• Efficiency in cruise• Faster than helicopter in
cruise• High angle of attack at
low speed
LENGTH DIA
ME
TE
R
RO
TAT
ION
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Design of a CFF UAV• Requirements:
– High thrust to weight ratio– Controllable in pitch, roll, and yaw– Simple, low-cost manufacturing
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Manufacturing Development• Mix of off-the-shelf and custom components
where needed
Commercial Commercial
Custom
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Frame Construction• Rigidity• Light weight• Design geometry
matches controller configuration
• Easily reconfigurable
• Simple power plant attachment
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Engines & Fan Housing Units• 4.2 W motors• Custom modular fan
housing units
Intake Mold Exhaust Mold End Plate
Intake Exhaust Rotor Modular Fan Housing Unit
Motor
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Power and Electronics
• 2 LiPo batteries – 350 A continuous current, wired in parallel
• Controller, Receiver, Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)
Electronic Speed ControllerMotor
Naza-M Controller
Bat
tery
Receiver
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Controller and Control• Naza quad-copter
controller• Futaba receiver and
transmitter• Thrust based control
similar to quad-copter• Thrust yaw, not torque
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Controller Setup
• Congruence between airframe and motor configuration options on controller.
Current Design
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Controller Setup
• Simple tuning required for stability
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Quad-rotor CFF UAV
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Performance Stats
• GTOW – 7.81 kg• Peak Values:
– Thrust per motor – 5.015 kg (measured)– Total thrust – 20.06 kg– Thrust to weight ratio – 2.57
• Sustained Values (9,000 rpm):– Thrust to weight ratio – 2.12
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
VIDEO
Controllable vertical take-off and landing, demonstrating yaw, pitch and roll
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Conclusion
• Successfully designed, built and flew a quad-rotor cross-flow fan UAV
• Developed novel manufacturing processes that enabled a construction timeline of less than 1 week.
• Proved controlled VTOL flight.
Turbopropulsion Laboratory
Questions?