Modelling gust-encounters on UAVs with cyber-physical fluid dynamics

利用网络物理流体动力学对无人机上的阵风遭遇进行建模

• 批准号: RGPIN-2018-05168
• 负责人: Wong, Jaime
• 金额: $ 1.97万
• 依托单位: University of Alberta
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2018-01-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=668796
• 关键词: Modelling; gust; encounters; UAVs; cyber

Micro-aerial vehicles (MAVs) are futuristic remote sensing platforms, ranging in size between that of large insect to a small bird. They are being developed to investigate subjects that would be difficult or impossible to access with a larger platform, or where the vehicle must be inconspicuous. For instance, an MAV developed for search and rescue may be able to navigate cramped or wooded areas, while an MAV meant for wildlife monitoring may be able to operate near birds without startling them. Moreover, the small size and low cost of MAVs allow for greater access to traditional remote-sensing tasks, such as environmental and infrastructure monitoring. However, current MAV designs cannot operate in the open air as they are very vulnerable to gusts. Inspiration from natural flyers such as birds and insects, which are adept at managing changing winds, has therefore become a common theme in MAV development. Small biological flyers do not stay aloft using the same strategies as common commercial aircraft. Instead, they use their wings to both propel themselves forward and to stay aloft; flapping-wing flight must be described with an entirely different set of engineering tools that account for the complex, time-varying motion of flapping wings. ***The proposed research will develop such engineering tools with a specific focus on understanding gusting loads. These tools will be developed after first determining the flow physics of gust encounters. This physical investigation will be carried out experimentally in a water channel, where a gust generator will be used to expose a flapping wing to unsteady flows. Gust loadings will be measured with a load cell in the wing, while the flow around the wing will be observed with dye-flow visualizations and Particle-Image Velocimetry. After determining the physics of the gust encounters, and after feeding this physics into an engineering model, we will be able to improve experimental facilities for the purposes of studying gusts and to develop new methods to limit the variations in lift and drag experienced by a wing exposed to gusts. This research program will also train new engineers to be experts in both flow physics and the mechanics of flight.

微型飞行器（MAVs）是未来的遥感平台，大小从大型昆虫到小型鸟类不等。他们正在开发调查的主题，将是困难的或不可能进入一个更大的平台，或在车辆必须不显眼。例如，为搜索和救援而开发的MAV可能能够在狭窄或树木繁茂的地区航行，而用于野生动物监测的MAV可能能够在鸟类附近工作而不会吓到它们。此外，微型飞行器体积小，成本低，因此可以更好地执行传统的遥感任务，如环境和基础设施监测。然而，目前的MAV设计不能在露天操作，因为它们非常容易受到阵风的影响。因此，从鸟类和昆虫等自然飞行器中获得灵感，这些飞行器擅长管理不断变化的风，因此已成为MAV开发的共同主题。小型生物飞行器不像普通商用飞机那样使用相同的策略保持高空飞行。相反，它们利用翅膀推动自己前进并保持在空中;扑翼飞行必须用一套完全不同的工程工具来描述，以解释扑翼复杂的、时变的运动。* 拟议的研究将开发此类工程工具，特别侧重于了解阵风载荷。这些工具将在首先确定突风遭遇的流动物理学之后开发。这项物理研究将在水槽中进行实验，在那里将使用阵风发生器将扑翼暴露在非定常流中。阵风载荷将用机翼上的测力传感器测量，而机翼周围的流动将用染色流动显示和粒子图像测速仪观察。在确定了突风遭遇的物理特性，并把这种物理特性输入到工程模型中之后，我们就能够改进研究突风的实验设备，并发展出新的方法来限制突风中机翼所经受的升力和阻力的变化。这项研究计划还将培养新的工程师成为流动物理和飞行力学方面的专家。