Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Propulsion by Sean Brown A PROJECT submitted to Oregon State University University Honors College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Honors Baccalaureate of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Honors Associate) Presented February 27th, 2015 Commencement June 2015 2 4 ©Copyright by Sean Brown February 27th, 2015 All Rights Reserved 5 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Propulsion by Sean Brown A PROJECT submitted to Oregon State University University Honors College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Honors Baccalaureate of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Honors Associate) Presented February 27th, 2015 Commencement June 2015 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. 8 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 12 2 Propulsion Systems ................................................................................................................ 12 2.1 Piston-Propeller.............................................................................................................. 12 2.2 Gas turbine ..................................................................................................................... 12 2.2.1 Turbojets ................................................................................................................ 12 2.2.2 Turboprops ............................................................................................................. 13 2.2.3 Turbofans ............................................................................................................... 13 2.2.4 Afterburner ............................................................................................................. 13 2.3 Hypersonic ..................................................................................................................... 13 2.3.1 Ramjets and Scramjets ........................................................................................... 13 2.3.2 Pulse Detonation .................................................................................................... 14 2.4 Rocket ............................................................................................................................ 14 2.4.1 Solid Propellant ...................................................................................................... 14 2.4.2 Liquid Propellant ................................................................................................... 14 2.4.3 Hybrid Propellant ................................................................................................... 15 2.5 Electric ........................................................................................................................... 15 2.5.1 Battery Powered ..................................................................................................... 16 2.5.2 Fuel Cell ................................................................................................................. 17 2.5.3 Solar Electric .......................................................................................................... 18 3 Parameters comparison .......................................................................................................... 18 3.1 Velocity .......................................................................................................................... 18 3.2 Weight/Payload .............................................................................................................. 21 3.2.1 Cargo Aircraft ........................................................................................................ 21 3.2.2 Heavy Transportation Aircraft ............................................................................... 21 3.2.3 Midsize Transportation Aircraft ............................................................................. 22 3.2.4 Light Transportation Aircraft ................................................................................. 22 3.2.5 Military Fighter Aircraft ........................................................................................ 23 3.2.6 Light Aircraft ......................................................................................................... 23 3.2.7 Light-Sport Aircraft ............................................................................................... 24 3.2.8 Ultralight Aircraft .................................................................................................. 24 8 3.2.9 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 25 3.3 Mission ........................................................................................................................... 26 3.3.1 Stealth .................................................................................................................... 26 3.3.2 Reconnaissance ...................................................................................................... 26 3.3.3 Air Superiority ....................................................................................................... 26 3.3.4 Attack Aircraft ....................................................................................................... 26 3.3.5 Bombers ................................................................................................................. 27 3.3.6 Trainers (Military and Private) .............................................................................. 27 3.3.7 Aerobatic Aircraft .................................................................................................. 27 3.3.8 Transportation ........................................................................................................ 27 3.3.9 Amphibious Aircraft .............................................................................................. 27 3.3.10 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 27 4 Parameters Comparison of UAVs .......................................................................................... 28 4.1 Types of UAVs .............................................................................................................. 28 4.1.1 Micro Air Vehicles ................................................................................................ 28 4.1.2 Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) .................................................................. 29 4.1.3 Low Altitude, Short Endurance (LASE) & Low Altitude, Long Endurance (LALE) 29 4.1.4 Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE)......................................................... 30 4.1.5 High Altitude, Long Endurance (HALE) ............................................................... 30 4.1.6 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 31 4.2 UAV Missions ............................................................................................................... 32 4.2.1 Military .................................................................................................................. 32 4.2.2 Research ................................................................................................................. 34 4.2.3 Commercial ............................................................................................................ 36 4.3 Electric Motor vs. Internal Combustion Engine: Case Study ........................................ 38 4.4 How UAV Engine Types Compare to Manned Engine Types ...................................... 39 5 Engine Research..................................................................................................................... 39 5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 39 5.2 Experimental Setup ........................................................................................................ 40 5.2.1 Engine Assembly ................................................................................................... 40 5.2.2 Test Stand Construction ......................................................................................... 42 5.2.3 Data acquisition systems ........................................................................................ 43 5.2.4 Systems verification ............................................................................................... 45 5.2.5 Safety features ........................................................................................................ 46 9 5.3 Data Collection .............................................................................................................. 46 5.3.1 Reason for data collection ...................................................................................... 46 5.3.2 Procedures .............................................................................................................. 46 5.4 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................. 47 5.4.1 Initial Data Analysis .............................................................................................