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Innovative UAV Projects: Dragonfly and Pterosoar for Endurance and Range Records

This document outlines the development of two cutting-edge UAV projects undertaken by undergraduate teams at Oklahoma State University and California State University, Los Angeles. The Dragonfly, an electric aircraft designed for FAI’s F5S class, aims to set world records in endurance and range, while the Pterosoar utilizes a custom hydrogen fuel cell for enhanced energy capacity. Through these initiatives, students gain hands-on experience and contribute to advancements in UAV technology, aiming to overcome complex engineering challenges related to weight, aerodynamics, and power management.

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Innovative UAV Projects: Dragonfly and Pterosoar for Endurance and Range Records

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  1. Oklahoma Space Grant Long Range/Endurance UAV projects

  2. Background • Started as an OSGC undergraduate workforce project • Team of 2 aerospace engineering undergraduates (OSGC Fellowship Recipients Dustin Gamble, Thomas Hays) • Goal was to design a highly efficient electric plane capable of setting FAI world records for range and endurance. • F5S class: electric aircraft, sub 5kg (11lb), etc. • Lessons learned to be applied to other industry/research projects • Students gain valuable hands-on training in UAV’s

  3. FAI Federation AeronautiqueInternationale • Sanctions all international aerospace • Records. • Dragonfly designed for the F5S • Record class. • F5S Requirements: • 5 Kg (11.02 lb) • Electric • Maximum surface area 150 dm (16 sq-ft) • Min Surface loading of 12-50 g/dm (.25 lb/sq-ft) • Aircraft must be in sight the entire flight • Must land and takeoff within 500 m of • Claimed spot (1640 feet) • Must be observed by FAI official and two additional observers F5S Duration F5S Range

  4. Endurance Challenges Duration Record held since 1998: 10 Hours 38 Minutes. (Emil Hilber – Switzerland) Multidimensional Optimization problem: Span - Area - battery weight - motor size - gearbox ratio - prop size - prop pitch - Battery Voltage. Difficult constraints (esp. 11lb weight limit) Primary Design Goals Maximize battery (fuel) weight Maximize energy storage density Minimize structural weight Maximize aero/propulsive eff. Minimize systems drain

  5. Endurance Challenges (cont.) High Value Endurance High L/D Range

  6. Structural Challenges: High aspect ratio Thin airfoil section (1 inch) Must absorb atmospheric turbulence (2.7g design) Must be extremely light (.5 lb = 1 hour lost) Maintain accurate shape

  7. Streamlining • Reduce Drag from • cross-section of fuselage • Designed around streamline of • SD 7032 airfoil at Duration CL Blended Wing Body Junction • Reduces interference drag • Provides room to store electronics

  8. Power / Energy Sources: • Custom Made Lithium Polymer Batteries • 560 Wh Total energy capacity • (equiv to 329 AA batteries) • Lithium Polymer: • Light Weight • Highest Commercially available • energy density. 58g motor 11g gearbox

  9. 14.5 ft span • 3.7 lb weight without “fuel” • 7.3 lb. of Lithium Polymer batteries • 40 Watt cruise power, 200 Watt peak • Hand-flown, and turned with rudder/dihedral to minimize current draw Dragonfly

  10. Test flying: • Verify Handling Qualities • Determine actual power consumption • Set limits on flying conditions • Determine how to land

  11. Point and Return: Attempted record during test flight Used a predetermined route in northern OK From Kildare to Wakita and back. 144.42 Km = 90 miles Flew airplane from convertible

  12. Dragonfly max range 267 Miles Dragonfly 89 Miles Juri Laidna (Estonia) 49 Miles

  13. Dragonfly: Point and Return Mission

  14. Duration Record: Launched at sunrise 41 grams underweight 30 minute pilot shifts Experienced 3G atmospheric turbulence Judged remaining power through telemetry Landed with 9 minutes of power remaining.

  15. Dragonfly: Duration Mission

  16. Most Memorable Aviation Record of 2006 National Aeronautic Association: United States’ interface to FAI NAA Luncheon Washington D.C.

  17. Pterosoar(“Winged creature that will rise, fly, or glide high and with little apparent effort”) Oklahoma State University California State University LA • Joint OSGC/CSGC project • 2 additional OSU students, and 4 from CSULA • Custom Made PEM Hydrogen Fuel Cell and 4000 psi composite tank • 1.8 x the energy capacity of Dragonfly’s Batteries

  18. Fully CNC molded Construction • Rapid Design ->Construction -> Test flight (6 weeks) • 4-part design for transportation

  19. Pterosoar Point and Return: • Distance: 120 Km = 75 miles • Launch from Lancaster, CA • 17 grams of Hydrogen use Duration Record Attempt is next for The Pterosoar.

  20. Pterosoar: Point and Return

  21. Questions

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