drone propulsion system
Non-Disclosure Agreement: I will only disclose non-proprietary information regarding this project. All images shown are public knowledge.
overview
The propulsion system for a USAF-grade heavy-lift drone was optimized to improve carrying capacity and system efficiency. Several propeller design parameters and propeller-motor combinations were evaluated and optimized in simulation, and then were verified by experiment. The airframe was then resized to the new propulsion system design and was fabricated using lay-up facilities provided by Vayu. An integrated system test was then completed to verify the scalability of the results.
my role
As part of a five-student undergraduate senior project at the UM college of Aerospace Engineering, in collaboration with Vayu Aerospace Corporation, I led the simulation and data analysis of the study and designed, implemented, and conducted several component and system tests.
outcome
A propulsion system that optimally satisfied the project requirements was designed, built, and tested, and the design was suggested to Vayu as part of the final project report. The report subsequently was awarded second place for the George M. Landes Prize for Technical Communications (shown right).
