ODU UAV TEAM 2013

John Plank, Ethan Pratt, Michael Midkiff

Kenneth Jermstad and Ignacio Santos

Proudly Present:

Advisor: Dr. Drew Landman

Project Overview:The UAV project was formed because of the lack of senior projects that dealt exclusively with Aeronautics engineering

Goals of the Project:To design, build and fly a UAV that could be assembled from a suitcase

•Calculate in-flight parameters to analyze performance.•Lift coefficient. Induced drag coefficient.•X, Y, Z coordinates of leading edge, chord length, airfoil.•Mass and inertia breakdown.

AVL and Tornado programs

Maximum Range

Gliding Flight Powered Flight

0 100 200 300 400 500 6000

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

Altitude (m)

Max

Ran

ge (k

m)

0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1100

150

200

250

300

350

Efficiency

Max

Ran

ge(k

m)

Maximum Endurance

Gliding Flight Powered Flight

0 100 200 300 400 500 6000

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Altitude (m)

Max

End

uran

ce (m

in)

0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 14

6

8

10

12

14

16

Efficiency

Max

End

uran

ce(h

rs)

Autopilot System

• Ardupilot Mega 2.5• 3 Flight Modes

• Manual• Stabilize• Circle

Stabilize Mode in Simulation

• http://dasp.mem.odu.edu:8080/~uav_sp13/Simulation.wmv

ArduPilot Setup Diagram

7.4V LiPo Battery

Power Module

ESC

Brushless Motor

ArduPilot Mega 2.5

Receiver

Servo

Servo

Servo

Servo

GPS

First Test Flights:On April 13 several attempts to get the Bixler to fly autonomously end unsuccessfully when the Bixler suddenly darts out of control and crashes

Success:On April 20 a major project goal is accomplished as the Bixler achieves autonomous flight

Flight Video

• http://dasp.mem.odu.edu:8080/~uav_sp13/flight.wmv

Dihedral wing Polyhedral wing

• Higher Stability Design

Stabilizing Stable

Higher lift

• Principle

Wing configuration

• Designed dimensions

• Final wing

51.5 cm44.25 cm 44.25 cm

10˚

Wing dimensions

- Foam - Fiber glass- Plywood

- Steel rod- 10˚

- SD-7037- High lift,

gliding

Wing construction

Pod Design

• Revolved NACA 0018 Airfoil • Chord: 500mm

Machining the Pod

• Cut on Lathe with increments every 1/16”

Machining the Pod

Pod Cavities

• Cavities for electrical components– Carved using wood tools– Carved using Dremel

Pod CavitiesLaser Cut Motor Mount

Hand Tapped Holes Boom Mount

Cavities for Electrical Components

Tail Design

12” Span Tail 15” Span Tail 19” Span Tail

Stable Boom Length

4” up to 23”

4” up to 15” 1” up to 9”

•Stability estimated using tail volume coefficient (Ch)

•Stable range: 0.3 < Ch < 0.6

•Decided to reduce span to 15”

Skills Acquired•Lathe cutting•Woodcarving•Hot wire cutting•Fiberglass coating•Soldering

•AVL•Tornado•X-Plane•RC Setup•3D Modeling

Gantt Chart