A multirotor vehicle performance prediction method

Issi-Rae Emanuelle George

doi:10.32920/ryerson.14665638

Abstract

A method has been developed to predict the performance of small multirotor vehicles. Using the vehicle geometry, rotor geometry and flight conditions as inputs, the aerodynamic performance is found through an interpolation method using tabulated rotor performance data. The model is able to predict performance in hover and forward flight, and can produce results quickly and easily, making the prediction model a powerful tool. The vehicle performance prediction model also includes a wake interference model that captures the effect of rotors and their shed wakes on others rotors in the vicinity. When compared to flight test data, the method shows good agreement when predicting the angle of attack, rotational velocity and power requirements of the vehicle. The effect of the vehicle orientation on the performance of the vehicle was investigated showing that during fast forward flight, the vehicle requires about 5% less power in a diamond configuration than in a square configuration.

Highlights

1.1 Multirotor Small Unmanned Aerial SystemsMultirotor small unmanned aerial systems have become increasingly relevant in recent years
Bouabdallah has shown that rotor aerodynamics greatly aect motor control, as the forces and moments that are used in stability and control models can be directly attributed to the rotor[4]
This thesis presents a method for predicting the performance of multirotor small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) in hover and forward ight, with the purpose of aiding the design process of multirotor sUAS by allowing designers to assess the contributions of the vehicle and rotor geometry, as well as atmospheric conditions on the performance of the vehicle

Summary

Introduction

1.1 Multirotor Small Unmanned Aerial SystemsMultirotor small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) have become increasingly relevant in recent years. These vehicles fall into the vertical take-o and landing (VTOL) category of unmanned aerial systems. The ability to operate an sUAS appeals to everyday consumers who would use the vehicles recreationally, while their slow ight and ability to hover has made them popular for military purposes, and for use in the lm industry [3]. In order to further expand the ight envelope of these systems, for example to y at increasingly higher speeds, better aerodynamic models need to be included in controller designs. Payloads such as cameras add weight and drag to the vehicle, aecting the overall power requirements of the vehicle

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Conclusion