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An Unmanned Helicopter Energy Consumption Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Marcin Żugaj

    (Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, St. Nowowiejska 24, 00-665 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Mohammed Edawdi

    (Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, St. Nowowiejska 24, 00-665 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Grzegorz Iwański

    (Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, St. Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Sebastian Topczewski

    (Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, St. Nowowiejska 24, 00-665 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Przemysław Bibik

    (Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, St. Nowowiejska 24, 00-665 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Piotr Fabiański

    (Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, St. Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

The number of operations incorporating E-VTOL aircrafts is increasing each year, and the optimization of the energy consumption of such vehicles is a major problem. In this paper, a small-scale ARCHER helicopter’s energy consumption is analyzed, wherein different flight conditions, main rotor revolutions, and flight control system settings are considered. The helicopter dynamic model was developed in the FLIGHTLAB environment and was then validated based on flight test data. The model used for the calculation of energy consumption was developed using the electric and dynamic characteristics of the main rotor, electric motor, and transmission system. The main part of this work concerns the analysis of electric energy consumption during the vehicle’s flight via the use of an automatic flight control system (AFCS) that ensures repeatable flight conditions. The AFCS was designed such that it includes both path and attitude control to provide hover and cruise control modes. The helicopter’s energy consumption was analyzed during different phases of flight, when executing maneuvers, and using different main rotor angular velocities to perform - a given task. The results show that the level of energy consumption significantly depends on the helicopter’s main rotor revolutions, flight speed, and the maneuvers performed. The proposed methodology can be used in prospective energy-efficient mission planning and UAV helicopter design.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcin Żugaj & Mohammed Edawdi & Grzegorz Iwański & Sebastian Topczewski & Przemysław Bibik & Piotr Fabiański, 2023. "An Unmanned Helicopter Energy Consumption Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-28, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:4:p:2067-:d:1074658
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Qian Liu & Zhuxin Zhang & Tuo Jia & Lixin Wang & Dingxuan Zhao, 2022. "Energy Consumption Analysis of Helicopter Traction Device: A Modeling Method Considering Both Dynamic and Energy Consumption Characteristics of Mechanical Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-20, October.
    2. Bowen Zhang & Zaixin Song & Senyi Liu & Rundong Huang & Chunhua Liu, 2022. "Overview of Integrated Electric Motor Drives: Opportunities and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-23, November.
    3. Min Wu & Wuhua Chen & Xiaohong Tian, 2022. "Optimal Energy Consumption Path Planning for Quadrotor UAV Transmission Tower Inspection Based on Simulated Annealing Algorithm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-17, October.
    4. Mariusz Jacewicz & Marcin Żugaj & Robert Głębocki & Przemysław Bibik, 2022. "Quadrotor Model for Energy Consumption Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-33, September.
    5. Chenglong Zhou & Anan Xu & Fang Wang & Ming Chen & Wei Li & Rui Yin & Amandeep Kaur, 2022. "Performance Optimization of Helicopter Rotor in Hover Based on CFD Simulation," Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Hindawi, vol. 2022, pages 1-9, August.
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