Analysis of mass-energy balance of unmanned aircraft fueled by solar energy

Vitalіy Sukhov,Yaroslav Kozei

doi:10.15587/1729-4061.2017.101974

Abstract

To understand the characteristics and principles of creation of an aircraft, fueled by solar energy, the fundamentals of providing mass-energy balance and its specificity were considered. To create a mathematical model that describes interrelations between the basic parameters of an aircraft, fueled by solar energy, it was proposed to describe the main components in stages, namely: – power, required for the implementation of a horizontal flight; – total power consumption for performing of a flight, including take-off and maneuvers; – magnitude of energy, generated during a flight; – total take-off mass of an aircraft. The principles of power supply of the aircraft systems under all flight modes were defined. Under the mode of a horizontal flight, there should be enough power, generated by solar panels, to fuel all systems. The power surplus is accumulated in the battery. Under the takeoff and landing modes, as well as during a maneuver, the current deficit of the generated power may be compensated for by power of the battery. We described the factors that affect performance of solar panels of an aircraft, in particular shading, V-shape of a wing, geometry of aerodynamic profile, cloudiness, and orientation relative to the Sun. The model is proposed for determining the mass of an aircraft in general, which takes into account weight characteristics of the industrial components of an aircraft. Results of the study might be used in the process of creation of aircraft, fueled by solar energy, at the stage of outline design. We obtained a generalized analytical model of mass-energy balance of an aircraft, taking into account common operation modes and the laws of solar energy generation, which allows us to conduct analytical prediction of characteristics of prototypes. The model combines technological, operational, and design parameters, and is the basis for the formation of algorithm for choosing the parameters of an aircraft fueled by solar energy.

Highlights

Thanks to technical progress, today there is an opportunity to perform long flights using solar energy
The relevance of the work lies in increasing efficiency of the process of designing aircraft, fueled by solar energy, by establishing relationships between energy and mass factors
Articles [3, 4] present assessment of operation of the power supply system of an aircraft based on lithium-sulfur battery and solar cells

Summary

Introduction

Today there is an opportunity to perform long flights using solar energy. Despite significant energy capacities of solar radiation, the efficiency of its conversion into translational motion of an aircraft largely depends on the mass-energy characteristics of photoelectric converters. The relevance of the work lies in increasing efficiency of the process of designing aircraft, fueled by solar energy, by establishing relationships between energy and mass factors. The problem of rational synthesis of parameters of an aircraft is multi-criterial and requires deep analysis. Provision of sufficient power to perform a flight dictates requirements for geometric and weight characteristics of an aircraft. There occurs the problem of uncertainty, which is global in nature

Literature review and problem statement

The aim and tasks of research

Discussion of results of the synthesis of a generalized mass-energy model