POWERPLANT SYSTEM DESIGN FOR UNMANNED TRICOPTER

Abstract

In this article components of powerplant systemfor an electrically powered unmanned tricopter is designed in order obtain safeand performable autonomous tricopter flight. Electricity is the mostenvironmental friendly energy form. Components used in propulsion systems for aunique tricopter with rotating wing unmanned aerial vehicle that use it aselectrical energy source are: propellers, motors, ESC’s (i.e Engine SpeedController) and battery. The battery stores electricity. The storage capacityof the battery is most important factor which affecting the tricopter’s flyingtime but the more battery storage capacity as well as more battery weight. Ifthe weight of tricopter is excessive, more thrust must be produced so that themovement capacity not restricted. ESC adjusts the rotation speed of the motoraccording to the signals received from the rc receiver and the thrust power ofthe tricopter is adjusted. Motors are the main factor in generating thrustpower. The torque of the motor is also important parameter as much as the motorrotation speed (RPM) so that the desired thrust power can be generated.Powerless or low torque motor can heat up and break down when turn thepropeller. The last component of thrust system is propeller moves the air.Propeller which is connected the moving part of motor, pushes the air fromleading edge of the propeller to trailing edge for generate a thrust power. Themost important factors affecting thrust power are length, pitch and RPM ofpropeller and forward flight speed. Other factors are like air temperature, airpressure, propeller’s angle of attack and density of air.