Performance Testing of Aero-Naut CAM Folding Propellers

Dantsker, Or D.; Caccamo, Marco; Deters, Robert W.; Selig, Michael S.

doi:10.2514/6.2020-2762

Cited by 19 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…However, such integration may require a complex control strategy and high resource consumption in practical scenarios. Foldable propellers [29], [30] can accommodate collision and recover in the folding plane thanks to the rotating joints and the centrifugal force, respectively. However, they cannot prevent the collision from other directions, such as parallel with the rotor axis in the case of Aero-Naut CAM carbon folding propeller [30].…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

TomboPropeller: Bioinspired Deformable Structure Toward Collision-Accommodated Control for Drones

et al. 2023

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There is a growing need for vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, including drones, which are safe to use and can adapt to collisions. The risks of damage by collision, to humans, obstacles in the environment, and drones themselves, are significant. This has prompted a search into nature for a highly resilient structure that can inform a design of propellers to reduce those risks and enhance safety. Inspired by the flexibility and resilience of dragonfly wings, we propose a novel design for a biomimetic drone propeller called Tombo propeller. Here, we report on the design and fabrication process of this biomimetic propeller that can accommodate collisions and recover quickly, while maintaining sufficient thrust force to hover and fly. We describe the development of an aerodynamic model and experiments conducted to investigate performance characteristics for various configurations of the propeller morphology and related properties, such as generated thrust force, thrust force deviation, collision force, recovery time, lift-to-drag ratio, and noise. Finally, we design and showcase a control strategy for a drone equipped with Tombo propellers that collides in midair with an obstacle and recovers from collision continuing flying. The results show that the maximum collision force generated by the proposed Tombo propeller is less than two-thirds that of a traditional rigid propeller, which suggests the concrete possibility to employ deformable propellers for drones flying in a cluttered environment. This research can contribute to the morphological design of flying vehicles for agile and resilient performance.

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Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

TomboPropeller: Bioinspired Deformable Structure Toward Collision-Accommodated Control for Drones

et al. 2023

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“…As an example, Jessa [5] identified performance scaling relations of T-motor rotors with identical propeller pitch geometries, which were also found to have identical pitch number for various propeller diameters. For Aero-Naut folding propellers, Dantsker et al [4] identified a trend where thrust, power, and efficiency coefficients depend on P/D ratio, suggesting a possible existence of performance scaling relationship with propeller geometry.…”

Section: Thrust and Power Coefficient Scaling Relations Predictionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, difficulties in determining the performance scaling relationship for Aero-Naut CAM folding propellers were also identified. Dantsker et al [4] had investigated geometric characteristics of the folding propellers of various diameter and pitch sizes, of which they discovered that for varying pitch number and P/D ratio for given diameter, the propeller blade geometry was different and unique from one another.…”

Section: Thrust and Power Coefficient Scaling Relations Predictionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To do so, effects of propeller pitch number and propeller P/D ratio on performance coefficients were investigated when analyzing performance scaling relationship for Aero-Naut CAM folding propellers. For compiling propeller coefficient values in determining performance scaling relationship, wind tunnel test results recorded at UIUC was utilized due to the availability for wide variance of propeller size and pitch [4]. Once the characteristic parameter was determined, the corresponding thrust and power coefficient functions were estimated by plotting series of appropriate propeller data of varying diameter, then extrapolating equation of 2 nd to 4 th order using 'polyfit' function on MATLAB.…”

Section: Thrust and Power Coefficient Scaling Relations Predictionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Performance Prediction Analysis for Aero-Naut CAM Folding Propellers and its Application into CREATeV Solar Aircraft

Kim¹

2021

Preprint

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This paper investigates the performance prediction method for Aero-Naut CAM folding propellers through parametric studies of existing wind tunnel testing data. The application of the propeller into CREATeV ultra-long-endurance unmanned solar aircraft necessitated the availability of accurate performance estimates for its propeller-motor configurations. Performance coefficient prediction method based on scaling relationship of propeller geometry is discussed along with motor efficient prediction method and iterative propeller-motor performance optimization. Several important observations regarding performance scaling effect of Aero-Naut folding propellers and its impact on performance optimization are discussed. The resulting optimized propeller selections are proposed which would enhance mission capability of CREATeV. Finally, future work considerations and concluding remarks of the analysis is presented.

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“…Furthermore, some other works propose more efficient strategies to control or monitor the aircraft optimising the energy consumption [14,15]. In the field of propellers for drones, several research studies are centered on modelling and estimating its behaviour at low Reynolds numbers [16][17][18]. Moreover, there are studies that analyse the potential benefits of using variable pitch propellers in small RPAS [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Battery consumption estimation methodology for electric unmanned aerial systems

Rodríguez-Novillo

Sanchez-Carmona

2022

Aeronaut. j.

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This study presents a methodology to estimate the battery consumption of an electric powerplant, based on brushless motors, typically used in light unmanned aerial systems. The methodology models brushless motors through an equivalent circuit obtained from their dynamic behaviour. Propellers’ data are taken from an experimental database. Furthermore, a variable speed controller efficiency is considered in the methodology. All the parameters involved in the model are adjusted by minimising the mean quadratic error of measurements taken in both direct and alternating currents. This model allows designers to predict energy consumption, also if any element of the powerplant changes, such as battery or propeller. Thus, it is useful for selecting the best powerplant for an actual RPAS operation. The results obtained to predict the current consumption of several electric powerplants show a coefficient of determination higher than 0.96. Finally, the methodology is validated by means of a case study of an actual RPAS, where the best powerplant is selected in terms of endurance.

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Performance Testing of Aero-Naut CAM Folding Propellers

Cited by 19 publications

References 18 publications

TomboPropeller: Bioinspired Deformable Structure Toward Collision-Accommodated Control for Drones

TomboPropeller: Bioinspired Deformable Structure Toward Collision-Accommodated Control for Drones

Performance Prediction Analysis for Aero-Naut CAM Folding Propellers and its Application into CREATeV Solar Aircraft

Battery consumption estimation methodology for electric unmanned aerial systems

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