Application of copper indium gallium diselenide photovoltaic cells to extend the endurance and capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles
| dc.contributor.advisor | Michael, Sherif | |
| dc.contributor.author | Hurd, William R. | |
| dc.contributor.corporate | Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.) | |
| dc.contributor.secondreader | Weatherford, Todd | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2012-03-14T17:42:13Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2012-03-14T17:42:13Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2009-09 | |
| dc.description.abstract | In this thesis, we investigate the advantages of modifying current military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) with available thinfilm photovoltaic (PV) cells to increase their endurance, and/or capabilities. The approach taken was to explore available off-theshelf flexible solar technology and to integrate it in a proof-of-concept model for testing and analysis. A physically similar commercially available battery-powered plane was used to demonstrate the materials and methods by which the RQ-11B (Raven) Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SUAV) could be modified. This research extends academic and private pursuit of solar flight to near-term improvement of military SUAV. Besides increasing on-station time of reconnaissance assets, this research also displays the additional advantage of enabling systems on the ground to "self-charge." This will enable tactical units to operate further afield, untethered from conventional power sources. Beyond the proof-of-concept, findings are extended to other potential military uses and greater improvement through new or modified UAV design. | en_US |
| dc.description.distributionstatement | Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. | |
| dc.description.service | US Navy (USN) author. | en_US |
| dc.description.uri | http://archive.org/details/applicationofcop109454539 | |
| dc.format.extent | xxii, 127 p. : col. ill. ; | en_US |
| dc.identifier.oclc | 464238149 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10945/4539 | |
| dc.publisher | Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Photovoltaic cells | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Drone aircraft | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Vehicles, Remotely piloted | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Lithium cells | en_US |
| dc.title | Application of copper indium gallium diselenide photovoltaic cells to extend the endurance and capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |
| dspace.entity.type | Publication | |
| etd.thesisdegree.discipline | Electrical Engineering | en_US |
| etd.thesisdegree.grantor | Naval Postgraduate School | en_US |
| etd.thesisdegree.level | Masters | en_US |
| etd.thesisdegree.name | M.S. | en_US |
| etd.verified | no | en_US |