PRANDTL-D FLYING WING DEMONSTRATION Nicolas Burrows (ME), Taylor Herndon (ME), Zach Heimbigner (CS), Keenan Bryan (ME), Gus Almanza (CS)
VALIDATION Applied Methods of Design Validation: • CFD Simulations (FlightStream/SolidWorks) • Wind Tunnel Testing
OBJECTIVE
• Flight Testing (Glide and Powered)
Build a flying prototype unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using the NASA Prandtl-D wing design to demonstrate the commercial viability of the design driven by improved aerodynamic performance.
Our Drag Data
SOLUTION
BACKGROUND
Published Drag Data
Advantages of Prandtl-D wing design:
• 12% less drag by eliminating the need for a vertical stabilizer.
• Increased stability in turns as a result of proverse yaw.
Structure
Disadvantages of Prandtl-D wing design:
3 Piece modular design constructed from: Balsa, Foam, PLA, and Carbon Fiber.
• Difficult to manufacture due to
Electronics
complex twist along wingspan.
550KV motor and 70A ESC powered by a 25.2V 10,000mAh LiPo battery.
• Limited internal volume for payloads. Previous Research:
Payload
• NASA – Demonstrated 11% increase
Pixhawk flight controller and FPV camera connected to a Raspberry PI with feature recognition to follow flight plans and loiter over objects of interest.
in glider efficiency. Impact:
• Reduce the overall environmental impact related to flight.
UAV Performance Results • • • • •
• • Cruise Speed: 35mph • Max Speed: 55 mph • Endurance: > 45 min • Wingspan: 11.63 ft. Stall Speed: 25 mph
Climb Rate: 500ft/min Range: 30 mi. Max Thrust: 8 lbs.
CONCLUSIONS The Prandtl-D wing design is commercially viable. The airfoil provides an excellent platform for a wide variety of UAV applications through increased efficiency, stability, and control simplicity. Manufacturing of the wing is challenging, but with a female composite mold, it is greatly simplified and only needs solved once prior to mass production.
FUTURE WORK Construct and test alternate wing shapes
Max Weight: 10 lbs.
Collect more data on aerodynamic performance
Payload Capacity: 1.5 lbs.
Conduct wind tunnel test at higher Reynolds #’s
Implement autonomous take-off
REQUIREMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PRANDTL-D Wing Shape – From Patent Capable of Carrying a 1lb Payload Minimum Flight Speed: 25mph
Advisors: Dr. Vibhav Durgesh, Dr. Matthew Swenson, Dr. Jason Karl, Dr. Joel Perry, Nagendra Tanikella, and Rodrigo Padilla
Client/Sponsor: NASA T2U (Brian Boogaard)
2023 Capstone Project