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Research on the Effect Characteristics of Free-Tail Layout Parameters on Tail-Sitter VTOL UAVs

Author

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  • Hao Qi

    (State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China
    Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science for National Defense Advanced Design Technology of Flight Vehicle, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Shi-Jie Cao

    (State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China
    China National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China)

  • Jia-Yue Wu

    (State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China
    School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China)

  • Yi-Ming Peng

    (State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China
    Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science for National Defense Advanced Design Technology of Flight Vehicle, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Hong Nie

    (State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China
    Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science for National Defense Advanced Design Technology of Flight Vehicle, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Xiao-Hui Wei

    (State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China
    Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science for National Defense Advanced Design Technology of Flight Vehicle, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China)

Abstract

The tail-sitter VTOL UAV boasts not only high-speed cruising and air hovering capabilities, but also its unique tail-sitting vertical takeoff and landing and hovering attitude enable aerial operations with an exceptionally small cross-sectional area. This feature effectively broadens the scope of application for the UAV in intelligent agriculture, encompassing tasks such as agricultural inspection, production monitoring, and topographic mapping. Given the necessity for frequent modal transitions, this paper is grounded in a thorough examination of the typical structural characteristics of the tail-sitter VTOL UAV. A comprehensive technical solution for tail-sitter VTOL UAVs, based on the free-tail configuration, is proposed in this paper. The free-tail structure is utilized to address the limitations of traditional tailless layout and fixed landing gear in terms of flight stability and takeoff/landing performance of tail-sitter VTOL UAVs. However, the implementation of this solution necessitates the addition of a new maneuvering unit. Consequently, this paper delves into the aerodynamic coupling characteristics and laws between the layout parameters such as tail number, tail length, and tail area and the tail-sitter VTOL UAV fuselage. To optimize the free-tail configuration, a multi-objective optimization is performed by integrating the overall UAV dynamics, landing dynamics, and modal transition trajectory constraints. The results of stability modeling simulations and flight tests demonstrate that the tail-sitter VTOL UAV equipped with this technical solution exhibits enhanced maneuverability and flight efficiency compared to the conventional tailless layout.

Suggested Citation

  • Hao Qi & Shi-Jie Cao & Jia-Yue Wu & Yi-Ming Peng & Hong Nie & Xiao-Hui Wei, 2024. "Research on the Effect Characteristics of Free-Tail Layout Parameters on Tail-Sitter VTOL UAVs," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-25, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:3:p:472-:d:1357540
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