A Research On The Behavior Of Micro Aerial Vehicle Propulsion System

The behavior of a micro aerial vehicle propulsion system by using a great deal of experiments is studied in this paper. A systemic method for the propulsion system matching is provided based on data in the experiments.Firstly, the aerodynamic characteristic of micro propeller with low Reynolds numbers is studied in this paper. In order to compute the micro propeller aerodynamics approximately, a revised theory of combination of momentum theory and the blade element approach is applied. The elementary behavior of the propeller's pull force, torque and rotary speed is also got.Secondly, a driver of the propulsion system of micro aerial vehicle based on the mission request is chosen in this paper. And the electromagnetic characteristic of a micro Brushless DC Motor (BLDCM) is studied theoretically. A simpled steady characteristic of a micro BLDCM is concluded then. An experiment to confirm the characteristic parameters of four indeterminable motors is made to compare with the computations. The characteristic curves of the propulsion system in no wind situation are summarized through lots of tests.Finally, an experiment of simulating flight is made, which can get different wind speeds and angles by controlling the micro wind tunnel .And the characteristic curves of the micro propeller in simulating flight is found out. The stably working conditions for the propulsion system are concluded according to the mechanical characteristic of the driver. The characteristic of the propulsion system in simulating flight is studied based on the micro propeller aerodynamics.And it is proved by flight tests.