Optimizing performance variables for small unmanned aerial vehicle co-axial rotor systems

The aim of this project was to design and build a test-rig that is capable of analyzing small unmanned aerial vehicles (SUAV) co-axial rotor systems. The intention of the test-rig development was to highlight important aeromechanical components and variables that dictate the co-axial units flight pe...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bell, Jonathon (Author), Brazinskas, Mantas (Author), Prior, Stephen D. (Author)
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: 2011.
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Summary:The aim of this project was to design and build a test-rig that is capable of analyzing small unmanned aerial vehicles (SUAV) co-axial rotor systems. The intention of the test-rig development was to highlight important aeromechanical components and variables that dictate the co-axial units flight performance, with the intention of optimizing the propulsion systems for use on HALO® a co-axial SUAV designed by the Autonomous Systems Lab at Middlesex University. The major contributions of this paper are: an optimum COTS co-axial configuration with regards to motor and propeller variations, a thorough review and validation of co-axial rotor systems inter-rotor spacing which in turn identified an optimum H/D ratio region of between (0.41-0.65)