Increasing Hover Efficiency by Converting Drone into a Large Propeller
Nicholas Rehm has developed an experimental tricopter that is significantly more efficient than conventional helicopter designs.
By turning the tricopter into one large spinning propeller, Rehm was able to make use of the aerodynamic effects to increase its efficiency.
He built a tricopter that can rotate all three long arms together using a single servo, giving it very aggressive yaw control. By attaching a wing to each of the arms, it becomes a large variable pitch propeller powered by tip thrusters.
To measure the efficiency of the craft, a small lidar sensor was added to allow accurate PID altitude control.
At a spin rate of 4 rev/s, the power draw of the motors was reduced by more than 60%. Rehm plans to implement horizontal position control while spinning and test the drone in horizontal flight, where the added airfoils will also increase efficiency.
Watch the video >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3D559DNa04
While converting a drone into a large propeller may increase hover efficiency, it also raises questions about the practicality and safety of such a modification.
While converting a drone into a large propeller may increase hover efficiency, it raises questions about the practicality and safety of such a modification.
While converting a drone into a large propeller may increase hover efficiency, it challenges the popularity of multirotor designs for a reason. Efficiency isn’t always the top priority in the world of drones.
While converting drones into large propellers may increase hover efficiency, it challenges the popularity and advantages of multirotor designs. Innovation often comes at the cost of tradition.