1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
www.nasa.gov
Determining the Size, Strength and Scope of a Quadcopter’s Ground EffectDetermining the Size, Strength and Scope of a Quadcopter’s Ground Effect
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) applications have typically
been limited to short term, short range fly-by missions with
fixed-wing UAVs. The Native American Research Team
(NART) has designed a proof-of-concept model with
integrated solar and wind technology to address the short
term flight limitations. To extend flight times and distances
the UAV is equipped with in-flight re-charging capability via
solar cells and loop wing wind turbines. Additionally, it is
configured to operate its own ground-based portable
charging station allowing for multi-day missions over longer
distances.
Abstract
Data Acquisition and Reconnaissance in variable
environments: An eco-friendly Unmanned Areal Vehicle that
has the ability to make environmental and scientific
observations over long term missions.
Mission
• How to counteract energy consumption?
• What design will be most efficient and maneuverable?
• Will solution to energy consumption disrupt flight?
• How will data be received?
• Future?
Questions
The proof-of-concept quadrotor was
designed using off-the-shelf components.
Renewable energy systems will provide
stable flight for 30 minutes and land in a pre-
determined location to enter a charging/data
transmission mode. After recharging, it will
"hop" from waypoint to waypoint as needed.
Hypothesis
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
examinations illustrated that the presence of
the loop wing wind turbines will not interfere
significantly with the lifting and directional
rotors. The downward mounted motors'
downwash do not impinge upon the loop
wing nor does the loop wing turbulence
affect the motors.
Simulation
Proof-of-Concept
H-Frame quadrotor chosen for mountable area
Proof-of-concept designed with Rhino 3D CAD software
Concept model dimensions: 24" x 36" with a top deck area of
144 square inches
Suitable for:
• hostile environments such as the polar regions,
extraterrestrial
• environmental monitoring
• agricultural monitoring
• wildlife management
Discussion
Dr. William Warmbrodt - NASA, Aeromechanics Branch Chief
Larry Young - NASA, Aeromechanics Branch design Engineer
Needa Lin - NASA, Mechanical Engineer Intern
Gary Brandt - Northwest Indian College, Native American
Research Team Mentor
Unmanned Multirotor Applications of Renewable Energy Systems
for Variable Environments
Acknowledgments
NART: Native American Research Team
Wayne Yandell, Jessica Williams, Kirsch Davis, Gabriel Brien, Faye Clawson, Joshua Danny
Conclusion
A large-scale vehicle with mounted solar cells and wind generators
could fly (with stability) various missions in a "hop-charge/read-
hop" method for a variety of applications. For a vehicle that
matches the mission objective and specific functional requirements
of various environments with minimal charging time, a frame large
enough to house the necessary solar panels and wind generators
would have to be constructed with lightweight materials and large
bottom mounted propellers for efficient long-distance flights
between charging. With further developments in power storage,
solar/wind, and autonomous control technology as well as
customization per application, this method should be
unquestionably more effective than fixed-wing UAV's with standard
fossil fuel or electric propulsion systems for autonomous low-
altitude measurement and delivery in most conceivable
environments.