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Article
Publication date: 13 December 2023

Ying-Jie Guan and Yong-Ping Li

To solve the shortcomings of existed search and rescue drones, search and rescue the trapped people trapped in earthquake ruins, underwater and avalanches quickly and accurately…

Abstract

Purpose

To solve the shortcomings of existed search and rescue drones, search and rescue the trapped people trapped in earthquake ruins, underwater and avalanches quickly and accurately, this paper aims to propose a four-axis eight-rotor rescue unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which can carry a radar life detector. As the design of propeller is the key to the design of UAV, this paper mainly designs the propeller of the UAV at the present stage.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the actual working conditions of UAVs, this paper preliminarily estimated the load of UAVs and the diameters of propellers and designed the main parameters of propellers according to the leaf element theory and momentum theory. Based on the low Reynolds number airfoil, this paper selected the airfoil with high lift drag ratio from the commonly used low Reynolds number airfoils. The chord length and twist angle of propeller blades were calculated according to the Wilson method and the maximum wind energy utilization coefficient and were optimized by the Asymptotic exponential function. The aerodynamic characteristics of the designed single propeller and coaxial propeller under different installation pitch angles and different installation distances were analyzed.

Findings

The results showed that the design of coaxial twin propellers can increase the load capacity by about 1.5 times without increasing the propeller diameter. When the installation distance between the two propellers was 8 cm and the tilt angle was 15° counterclockwise, the aerodynamic characteristics of the coaxial propeller were optimal.

Originality/value

The novelty of this work came from the conceptual design of the new rescue UAV and its numerical optimization using the Wilson method combined with the maximum wind energy utilization factor and the exponential function. The aerodynamic characteristics of the common shaft propeller were analyzed under different mounting angles and different mounting distances.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 96 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 February 2023

Y. Chandukrishna and T.N. Venkatesh

Recent interest in electric aircraft has opened avenues for exploring innovative concepts and designs. Because of its potential to increase wing aerodynamic efficiency, the idea…

Abstract

Purpose

Recent interest in electric aircraft has opened avenues for exploring innovative concepts and designs. Because of its potential to increase wing aerodynamic efficiency, the idea of wing tip-mounted propellers is becoming more popular in the context of electric aircraft. This paper aims to address the question of which configuration, tractor or pusher at wing tip is more beneficial.

Design/methodology/approach

The interactions between the wing and tip-mounted propellers in tractor and pusher configurations have been studied computationally. In this study, the propeller is modeled as a disk, and the blade element method (BEM) coupled with the computational fluid dynamics (CFD)–Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) solver is used to calculate propeller blade loading recursively. A direct comparison between the wing with tip-mounted propellers in tractor and pusher configurations is made by varying the direction of rotation and thrust.

Findings

Wing with tip-mounted propellers having inboard-up rotation is found to offer less drag in tractor and pusher configurations than those without propeller cases. Wing tip-mounted propeller in tractor configuration with inboard-up rotation offers higher wing aerodynamic efficiency than the other configurations. In tractor and pusher configurations with inboard-up rotating propellers, wing tip vortex attenuation is seen, whereas with outboard-up rotating propellers, the wing tip vortex amplification is observed.

Originality/value

SU2, an open-source CFD tool, is used in this study and BEM is coupled to perform RANS–BEM simulations. Both qualitative and quantitative comparisons were made between the tractor and pusher configurations, which may find its value when a question arises about the aerodynamically best propeller configuration at wing tips.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 95 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 May 2022

Fatwa Azam Maulana, Ema Amalia and Mochammad Agoes Moelyadi

High Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (HALE UAV) driven by a hybrid power between battery and solar panel have attracted many researchers. The HALE UAV which…

Abstract

Purpose

High Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (HALE UAV) driven by a hybrid power between battery and solar panel have attracted many researchers. The HALE UAV which develops at Bandung Institute of Technology has design requirements of a 63 kg MTOW with a cruise velocity of 22.1 m/s at an altitude of 60,000 ft propelled by two propellers. The main problems that arise with the propellers gained from the market are these propellers cannot operate properly at the cruise phase due to inadequate thrust and high drag value. This paper aims to design a propeller that solves those problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The Larrabee method is used to design this propeller geometry with an output in the form of a chord and twist distribution. The CFD approach method is used to improve the design resulting from the Larrabee method.

Findings

This study shows that the inputted thrust value of the propeller designed using the Larrabee method is always higher than the thrust value resulting from the CFD simulation with a difference of around 20% so a design improvement process using CFD is required.

Originality/value

The analysis of propeller implementation in various mission profiles shows that this propeller can operate fully from climbing at sea level to cruising flight at an altitude of 60,000 ft. The same procedure can be applied in other HALE UAV cases to generate a propeller design with different objectives.

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Unmanned Systems, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-6427

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 March 2023

Huanjun Li and Yimin Zhang

There are three purposes in this paper: to verify the importance of bi-directional fluid-structure interaction algorithm for centrifugal impeller designs; to study the…

Abstract

Purpose

There are three purposes in this paper: to verify the importance of bi-directional fluid-structure interaction algorithm for centrifugal impeller designs; to study the relationship between the flow inside the impeller and the vibration of the blade; study the influence of material properties on flow field and vibration of centrifugal blades.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a bi-directional fluid-structure coupling finite element numerical model of the supersonic semi-open centrifugal impeller is established based on the Workbench platform. Then, the calculation results of impeller polytropic efficiency and stage total pressure ratio are compared with the experimental results from the available literature. Finally, the flow field and vibrational characteristics of 17-4PH (PHB), aluminum alloy (AAL) and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFP) blades are compared under different operating conditions.

Findings

The results show that the flow fields performance and blade vibration influence each other. The flow fields performance and vibration resistance of CFP blades are higher than those of 17-4PH (PHB) and aluminum alloy (AAL) blades. At the design speed, compared with the PHB blades and AAL blades, the CFP blades deformation is reduced by 34.5% and 9%, the stress is reduced by 69.6% and 20% and the impeller pressure ratio is increased by 0.8% and 0.14%, respectively.

Originality/value

The importance of fluid-structure interaction to the aerodynamic and structural design of centrifugal impeller is revealed, and the superiority over composite materials in the application of centrifugal impeller is verified.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 33 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 January 2024

Gowtham G. and Jagan Raj R.

The purpose of this study is to find the suitable trajectory path of the Numerical model of the Quadcopter. Quadcopters are widely used in various applications due to their…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to find the suitable trajectory path of the Numerical model of the Quadcopter. Quadcopters are widely used in various applications due to their compact size and ease of assembly. Because they are quite unstable, autonomous control systems would be used to overcome this problem. Modelling autonomous control is predominant as the research scope faces challenges because of its highly non-linear, multivariable system with 6 degree of freedom.

Design/methodology/approach

Quadcopters with antonym systems can operate in an unknown environment by overcoming unexpected disturbances. The first objective when designing such a system is to design an accurate mathematical model to describe the dynamics of the system. Newton’s law of motion was used to build the mathematical model of the system.

Findings

Establishment of the mathematical model and the physics behind a four propeller drone for the frame TAROT 650 carbon was done. Simulink model was developed based on the mathematical model for simulating the complete dynamics of the drone as well as location and gusts were included to check the stability.

Originality/value

The control response of the system was simulated numerically results are discussed. The trajectory path was found. The phases with their own parameters can be used to implement the mathematical model for another type of quadcopter model and achieve quick development.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 96 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 May 2023

Berkay Ergene, Gökmen Atlıhan and Ahmet Murat Pinar

This study aims to reveal the influences of three-dimensional (3D) printing parameters such as layer heights (0.1 mm, 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm), infill rates (40, 70 and 100%) and…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to reveal the influences of three-dimensional (3D) printing parameters such as layer heights (0.1 mm, 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm), infill rates (40, 70 and 100%) and geometrical property as tapered angle (0, 0.25 and 0.50) on vibrational behavior of 3D-printed polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PET-G) tapered beams with fused filament fabrication (FFF) method.

Design/methodology/approach

In this performance, all test specimens were modeled in AutoCAD 2020 software and then 3D-printed by FFF. The effects of printing parameters on the natural frequencies of 3D-printed PET-G beams with different tapered angles were also analyzed experimentally, and numerically (finite element analysis) via Ansys APDL 16 program. In addition to vibrational properties, tensile strength, elasticity modulus, hardness, and surface roughness of the 3D-printed PET-G parts were examined.

Findings

It can be stated that average surface roughness values ranged between 1.63 and 6.91 µm. In addition, the highest and lowest hardness values were found as 68.6 and 58.4 Shore D. Tensile strength and elasticity modulus increased with the increase of infill rate and decrease of the layer height. In conclusion, natural frequency of the 3D-printed PET-G beams went up with higher infill rate values though no critical change was observed for layer height and a change in tapered angle fluctuated the natural frequency values significantly.

Research limitations/implications

The influence of printing parameters on the vibrational properties of 3D-printed PET-G beams with different tapered angles was carried out and the determination of these effects is quite important. On the other hand, with the addition of glass or carbon fiber reinforcements to the PET-G filaments, the material and vibrational properties of the parts can be examined in future works.

Practical implications

As a result of this study, it was shown that natural frequencies of the 3D-printed tapered beams from PET-G material can be predicted via finite element analysis after obtaining material data with the help of mechanical/physical tests. In addition, the outcome of this study can be used as a reference during the design of parts that are subjected to vibration such as turbine blades, drone arms, propellers, orthopedic implants, scaffolds and gears.

Social implications

It is believed that determination of the effect of the most used 3D printing parameters (layer height and infill rate) and geometrical property of tapered angle on natural frequencies of the 3D-printed parts will be very useful for researchers and engineers; especially when the importance of resonance is known well.

Originality/value

When the literature efforts are scanned in depth, it can be seen that there are many studies about mechanical or wear properties of the 3D-printed parts. However, this is the first study which focuses on the influences of the both 3D printing parameters and tapered angles on the vibrational behaviors of the tapered PET-G beams produced with material extrusion based FFF method. In addition, obtained experimental results were also supported with the performed finite element analysis.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 19 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 January 2023

Tri Bien Minh, Hien Vo and Luan Thanh Hua

The main purpose of the study was mechanical designing, simulation and manufacturing process for a new model of octocopter V-frame and to achieve simple manufacturing with 3D…

Abstract

Purpose

The main purpose of the study was mechanical designing, simulation and manufacturing process for a new model of octocopter V-frame and to achieve simple manufacturing with 3D printing technology. Moreover, the octocopter PID controller was simulated on the Simulink environment to get performance on the roll and pitch angle control.

Design/methodology/approach

Octocopter is one kind of multirotor vehicle (a rotorcraft with more than two rotors), that has lately gained a lot of attention for both the scientific and commercial spheres. With a greater number of rotors, the multirotor is very maneuverable and robust. Multi-copter makes an important contribution to the technological revolution in the military, industry, transportation, mapping and especially agriculture. Nowadays, we are heading to the four-industrial revolutions as well as the new technological application in the agricultural field such as precision agriculture, mapping and surveillance. Due to recently advanced technology about sensors, electronics, 3D printing, battery with high performance, multi-copter can be manufactured at low cost.

Findings

The V-frame octocopter was chosen to design in this paper; it had better performance scores including high redundancy rotors, high payload capability and affordable cost than another multi-copter family. The V-frame octocopter increasing freedom field of view of the camera was considered to place the camera position in the front of the drone.

Research limitations/implications

For the future aspects, the mechanical structure of the octocopter could be improved by using more advanced metal 3D printing to produce the aluminum or titan alloy materials for lighter and more rigid compared with ABS material, and finally the assembly to the real test.

Originality/value

The study shows the new platform of the V-frame octocopter kinematics analysis, designed on the CAD software, with some important mechanical parts using FEM analysis to find the highest stress and displacement under high load applied, the result of all connecting the joints 3D printing part is completely safe. Mechanical parts were manufactured by using 3D printing technology and CNC milling. Moreover, the study has shown V-frame octocopter simulation based on Simulink using the second method Ziegler- Nichols to find suitable parameters of the PID controller for roll and pitch angle. Using the block simulation is good for implementing and fast checking the new algorithm when building the new platform of the robot.

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Unmanned Systems, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-6427

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 February 2023

Erol Kayatas and Murat Celik

Any consensus about the effects of dihedral angle on hover rigidity of rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (RW-UAVs) does not exist in the literature. There are researchers who…

Abstract

Purpose

Any consensus about the effects of dihedral angle on hover rigidity of rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (RW-UAVs) does not exist in the literature. There are researchers who state that the dihedral angle has an effect on flight stability and researchers who claim the opposite. The discord stems from the different approaches of these groups to the concept of “stability,” the fact that they conduct experiments whose measurements are largely influenced by environmental conditions, and the physical assumptions are not similar. On the other hand, there is no study examining the effect of dihedral angle on the maneuverability of drones either. This study aims to analytically reveal the consequences of dihedral angles in RW-UAVs in terms of flight agility and maneuverability.

Design/methodology/approach

Dihedral angle examinations on both hover rigidity and maneuverability are carried out analytically. Equations of motions for a multicopter’s rigid body with a dihedral angle under two different conditions (zero and nonzero dihedral angles) are derived. Numerical simulations are conducted by defining the simulation parameters, and then displacement graphics for the center of mass are interpreted.

Findings

The presence of a dihedral angle makes the multicopter platforms behave like a pendulum, and this pendulum motion affects the disturbance rejection and the planar maneuver capabilities of multicopters. Since deflections can be spread to the orthonormal axes thanks to rotation about a pivot, net deflections of the geometric center may be diminished. Besides, pendulum motion eases the maneuvers with yaw rotations since the required rotation might occur without rotors’ revolution per minute changes.

Practical implications

Proposed dihedral angle implementation may enhance the hover stiffness and maneuverability capabilities of multicopters which, in turn, raise the performance of the drones.

Originality/value

This paper presents the analytical basis for the dihedral angle's effects on flight stability and agility.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 95 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 February 2024

Md Atiqur Rahman

The research focused on analysing a unique type of heat exchanger that uses swirling air flow over heated tubes. This heat exchanger includes a round baffle plate with holes and…

Abstract

Purpose

The research focused on analysing a unique type of heat exchanger that uses swirling air flow over heated tubes. This heat exchanger includes a round baffle plate with holes and opposite-oriented trapezoidal air deflectors attached at different angles. The deflectors are spaced at various distances, and the tubes are arranged in a circular pattern while maintaining a constant heat flux.

Design/methodology/approach

This setup is housed inside a circular duct with airflow in the longitudinal direction. The study examined the impact of different inclination angles and pitch ratios on the performance of the heat exchanger within a specific range of Reynolds numbers.

Findings

The findings revealed that the angle of inclination significantly affected the flow velocity, with higher angles resulting in increased velocity. The heat transfer performance was best at lower inclination angles and pitch ratios. Flow resistance decreased with increasing angle of inclination and pitch ratio.

Originality/value

The average thermal enhancement factor decreased with higher inclination angles, with the maximum value observed as 0.94 at a pitch ratio of 1 at an angle of 30°.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Abstract

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Unmanned Systems, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-6427

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