Blimp Heading Control Using Synthetic Jets

Background: A helium filled blimp is being used as a platform to teach embedded microprocessor control in ENGR 2350 (LITEC). The blimp uses two propellers driven by DC motors mounted on the gondola for thrust control. The thrust angle (pitch) is controlled by a servo motor. Another DC motor driven propeller mounted on the tail fin of the blimp is used to control blimp heading (yaw). An alternate approach to heading control is to use synthetic jets which are generated without the need for any moving parts. As a result, the response is much faster and there is reduced coupling between heading control and thrust control, which makes it easier to maneuver the blimp. Synthetic jets are generated by driving a piezoelectric diaphragm covering a cavity with an orifice by pulse width modulated (PWM) sinusoidal signal in 1 KHz frequency range.

Project Scope: The objective of the project is twofold: 1) Design and build (small package) electronics to drive the synthetic jet generator provided by Prof. Amitay of Aerospace Engineering Program in MANE Department. 2) Investigate the feasibility of controlling the blimp using the synthetic jets on bench top test bed. Time permitting: Fly the blimp under synthetic jet heading control.