Investigation of the flight control requirements of a half-scale ducted fan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
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Authors
Brynestad, Mark A.
Subjects
Advisors
Howard, Richard M.
Date of Issue
1992-03
Date
Mar-92
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
The goal of this investigation was to study the requirements to fly a previously constructed half-scale ducted fan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in horizontal and vertical flight as a proof of concept for a full-scale UAV of similar design. The following items were investigated: (1) methods to increase thrust from the ducted fan propulsion system; (2) the determination of the effectiveness and necessary coupling of the four control vanes in controlling the vehicle in vertical flight (pitch, roll, and yaw) and in countering the engine torque; and (3) the design, construction, and effectiveness of stator vanes. The following items were accomplished: (1) thrust was improved over the original vehicle through the design and construction of an effective bellmouth and nine-bladed fan; (2) control-vane effectiveness was determined, and stator vanes were designed and installed; (3) gyro stabilization was incorporated into the roll axis controls and the ducted fan flew in controlled tethered hover; and (4) gyroscopic cross coupling was demonstrated.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
iv, 77 p.: ill.;28 cm.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.