Thesis
The Characterization and Optimization of Propeller Performance and the Development of an Automated Coaxial Test Stand for UAVs and eVTOLs
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005378
Abstract
The use of UAVs and eVTOLs in the commercial and industrial sectors are growing as these vehicles become increasingly capable of more demanding tasks. Energy efficiency is one of the main issues preventing the wider application of these vehicles. Additionally, eVTOLs require rapid increases in thrust when performing flight transitions from vertical to horizontal flight. Innovative systems have been integrated into UAV and eVTOL design such as coaxial configurations and variable pitch systems. The performance characterizations of these systems is necessary in providing information that helps improve and optimize vehicle flight, either for efficiency or high thrust performance. The work in this paper focuses on the characterization and optimization of variable pitch propellers and coaxial propellers with variable pitch. In this process, single rotor variable pitch configurations for quickest thrust increases and high efficiency were determined. Additionally, a low profile coaxial test stand was designed and constructed with a nacelle like structure that simulated a typical nacelle seen on larger UAVs and eVTOLs. The test stand was equipped with automated features for varying coaxial spacing and propeller pitch. Using this stand, an autonomous multi-variable test was conducted. The coaxial configurations that provided the quickest thrust increase and highest efficiency were determined.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- The Characterization and Optimization of Propeller Performance and the Development of an Automated Coaxial Test Stand for UAVs and eVTOLs
- Creators
- Daniel Berven
- Contributors
- John P Swensen (Advisor)Konstantin Matveev (Committee Member)Thomas Asaki (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Mechanical and Materials Engineering, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 137
- Identifiers
- 99901031240601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis