Aerodynamic Stability Analysis of Quadcopters Subject to Unsteady Wind Conditions

Search for this publication on Google Scholar
Slingluff, M. (2021). Aerodynamic Stability Analysis of Quadcopters Subject to Unsteady Wind Conditions. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
Download PDF

Analytics

172 views ◎
140 downloads ⇓


Abstract

The quadcopter has become an increasingly utilized tool in the military and aerospace fields over the last several years. For quadcopters to be used in surveillance, search and rescue and even delivery applications, the quadcopter must be able to perform in unpredictable and sometimes harsh wind conditions. The environments where drones would be needed can include wide open spaces where large gusts of wind are possible as well as urban environments that include tall buildings and other structures that can create chaotic wind patterns. Understanding the potential wind conditions as well as the effects on the drone’s ability to fly are essential for drones to be effectively utilized. A quadcopter’s propellers, motors and design structure are all dependent on the expected forces and conditions that the quadcopter will be subjected to. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), this study investigates the effects of unsteady wind conditions on a quadcopter’s ability to maintain a hovering scenario. Preliminary isolated rotor simulations are conducted using the Improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation turbulence model to validate study parameters. Spectral analysis is used to evaluate the meshes of the isolated rotor to determine which mesh will be used in full scale simulations. Unsteady wind conditions are replicated in the simulations by using the von Karman atmospheric disturbance model in accordance with the Department of Defense’s common practice. The thrust needed to maintain a stable hovering position from each propeller is recorded at three different turbulence levels of the von Karman model. The flow structures of the drones in turbulent conditions are compared to non-turbulent conditions and the changes in the wake size is presented.

Details
Author

Slingluff, Mason

Title

Aerodynamic Stability Analysis of Quadcopters Subject to Unsteady Wind Conditions

Physical Description

1 online resource (92 pages) : PDF

Date

2021

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

The quadcopter has become an increasingly utilized tool in the military and aerospace fields over the last several years. For quadcopters to be used in surveillance, search and rescue and even delivery applications, the quadcopter must be able to perform in unpredictable and sometimes harsh wind conditions. The environments where drones would be needed can include wide open spaces where large gusts of wind are possible as well as urban environments that include tall buildings and other structures that can create chaotic wind patterns. Understanding the potential wind conditions as well as the effects on the drone’s ability to fly are essential for drones to be effectively utilized. A quadcopter’s propellers, motors and design structure are all dependent on the expected forces and conditions that the quadcopter will be subjected to. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), this study investigates the effects of unsteady wind conditions on a quadcopter’s ability to maintain a hovering scenario. Preliminary isolated rotor simulations are conducted using the Improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation turbulence model to validate study parameters. Spectral analysis is used to evaluate the meshes of the isolated rotor to determine which mesh will be used in full scale simulations. Unsteady wind conditions are replicated in the simulations by using the von Karman atmospheric disturbance model in accordance with the Department of Defense’s common practice. The thrust needed to maintain a stable hovering position from each propeller is recorded at three different turbulence levels of the von Karman model. The flow structures of the drones in turbulent conditions are compared to non-turbulent conditions and the changes in the wake size is presented.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

Mechanical engineering
Fluid mechanics

Degree

M.S.

Keywords

Computational Fluid Dynamics
Quadcopter
Thrust
Turbulence

Subject Area

Mechanical Engineering

Advisor(s)

Uddin, Mesbah

Committee Members

Wolek, Artur
Fu, Chen

Degree Note

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2021.

Rights Statement

This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). For additional information, see http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/.

Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Slingluff_uncc_0694N_12906

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:2971