Energy Efficiency in Unmanned Aircraft Systems: A Review

Babayomi, Oluleke; Makarfi, Abubakar U.

doi:10.1109/powerafrica.2019.8928766

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…After this review of the state-of-the-art of electric UAVs, it is realized that one of the solutions, that the literature shows as the most promising in terms of flight autonomy, is the use of hydrogen and fuel cells in electric RPASs [62][63][64][65]. As a first step for this ambitious ultimate goal, a fixed-wing electric RPA was developed.…”

Section: Fixed-wingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Converting a Fixed-Wing Internal Combustion Engine RPAS into an Electric Lithium-Ion Battery-Driven RPAS

et al. 2020

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It is well proved that remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPASs) are very useful systems for remote sensing in precision agricultural labors. INTA (National Institute for Aerospace Applications) and the University of Huelva are involved in Tecnolivo Project that proposes the development of a marketable and easy-to-use technological solution that allows integrated, ecological, and optimized management of the olive grove through non-invasive monitoring of key agronomic parameters using RPASs. The information collected by the RPAS in regards to the state of the vegetation, such as hydric stress levels, plague detection, or maturation of the fruit, are very interesting for farmers when it comes to make decisions about their crops. Current RPAS applications for precision agriculture are mainly developed for small- to medium-sized crops using rotary-wing RPASs with small range and endurance operation, leaving aside large-sized crops. This work shows the conversion of a fully declassified and obsolete fixed-wing internal combustion engine (ICE) remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), used as aerial target for military applications and in reconnaissance and surveillance missions at low cost, into an electric lithium polymer (LiPo) battery-driven RPA that will be used for precision agriculture in large-sized crop applications, as well as other applications for tracking and monitoring of endangered animal species in national parks. This RPA, being over twenty years old, has undergone a deep change. The applied methodology consisted of the design of a new propulsion system, based on an electric motor and batteries, maintaining the main airworthiness characteristics of the aircraft. Some other novelties achieved in this study were: (1) Change to a more efficient engine, less heavy and bulky, with a greater ratio of torque vs. size. Modernization of the fly control system and geolocation system. (2) Modification of the type and material of the propeller, reaching a higher performance. (3) Replacement of a polluting fuel, such as gasoline, with electricity from renewable sources. (4) Development of a new control software, etc. Preliminary results indicate that the endurance achieved with the new energy and propulsion systems and the payload weight available in the RPA meet the expectations of the use of this type of RPAS in the study of large areas of crops and surveillance.

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Section: Fixed-wingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Converting a Fixed-Wing Internal Combustion Engine RPAS into an Electric Lithium-Ion Battery-Driven RPAS

et al. 2020

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“…Por ejemplo, misiones de vigilancia y monitoreo o para tareas de fumigación en el sector agrícola. Sin embargo, la mayoría de los UAVs comerciales de uso civil tienen a las baterías como principal fuente de energía, pudiendo ser estas de polímero de litio (LiPo) o iones de litio (Li Ion) [1], [2].…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

“…Para incrementar el tiempo de vuelo de un UAV es necesario contar con una fuente con mayor densidad de energía. El uso de celdas de combustible (FC -Fuel Cell) o motores de combustión interna (ICE -Internal Combustion Engine) como fuente de energía primaria podría solucionar este problema, pero su implementación requiere de nuevos componentes como un controlador capaz de suministrar voltaje regulado y adecuado para los requerimientos de energía propios de las maniobras de vuelo del UAV [1], [4].…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Design of a Controller for Voltage Regulation in a Hybrid UAV

Zuñiga Torres,

Paredes Aguilar,

Sullca Mamani

et al. 2023

Proceedings of the 21th LACCEI International Multi-Conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (LACCEI 2023): “Leaders

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We proposed the design of a controller to regulate the voltage on the DC Bus for a hybrid UAV, which integrates a primary power source (a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine) with a battery, which extends the flight time. The controller must supply a regulated voltage to the UAV using two DC/DC converters. The first converter is between the DC bus and the battery, accumulates energy, and holds the voltage. Found the second converter between the primary power supply and the DC Bus, controlling the input voltage.The executed simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating this control system in the hybrid UAV to regulate the voltage required for various manoeuvres.

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