In order to study omithopter flight and to improve a dynamic model of flapping propulsion, a series 0f tests are conducted on a flapping-wing blimp. The blimp is designed and constructed from mylar plastic and balsa w...In order to study omithopter flight and to improve a dynamic model of flapping propulsion, a series 0f tests are conducted on a flapping-wing blimp. The blimp is designed and constructed from mylar plastic and balsa wood as a test platform for aerodynamics and flight dynamics. The blimp, 2.3 meters long and 420 gram mass, is propelled by its flapping wings. Due to buoyancy the wings have no lift requirement so that the distinction between lift and propulsion can be analyzed in a flight platform at low flight speeds. The blimp is tested using a Vicon motion tracking system and various initial conditions are tested including accelerating flight from standstill, decelerating from an initial speed higher than its steady state, and from its steady-state speed but disturbed in pitch angle. Test results are used to estimate parameters in a coupled quasi-steady aerodynamics/Newtonian flight dynamics model. This model is then analyzed using Floquet theory to determine local dynamic modes and stability. It is concluded that the dynamic model adequately describes the vehicle＇s nonlinear behavior near the steady-state velocity and that the vehicle＇s linearized modes are akin to those of a fixed-wing aircraft.展开更多
Robotic unmanned blimps own an enormous potential for applications in low-speed and low-altitude exploration, surveillance, and monitoring, as well as telecommunication relay platforms. To make lighter-than-air platfo...Robotic unmanned blimps own an enormous potential for applications in low-speed and low-altitude exploration, surveillance, and monitoring, as well as telecommunication relay platforms. To make lighter-than-air platform a robotic blimp with significant levels of autonomy, the decoupled longitude and latitude dynamic model is developed, and the hardware and software of the flight control system are designed and detailed. Flight control and navigation strategy and algorithms for waypoint flight problem are discussed. A result of flight experiment is also presented, which validates that the flight control system is applicable and initial machine intelligence of robotic blimp is achieved.展开更多
文摘In order to study omithopter flight and to improve a dynamic model of flapping propulsion, a series 0f tests are conducted on a flapping-wing blimp. The blimp is designed and constructed from mylar plastic and balsa wood as a test platform for aerodynamics and flight dynamics. The blimp, 2.3 meters long and 420 gram mass, is propelled by its flapping wings. Due to buoyancy the wings have no lift requirement so that the distinction between lift and propulsion can be analyzed in a flight platform at low flight speeds. The blimp is tested using a Vicon motion tracking system and various initial conditions are tested including accelerating flight from standstill, decelerating from an initial speed higher than its steady state, and from its steady-state speed but disturbed in pitch angle. Test results are used to estimate parameters in a coupled quasi-steady aerodynamics/Newtonian flight dynamics model. This model is then analyzed using Floquet theory to determine local dynamic modes and stability. It is concluded that the dynamic model adequately describes the vehicle＇s nonlinear behavior near the steady-state velocity and that the vehicle＇s linearized modes are akin to those of a fixed-wing aircraft.
基金This project is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50405046, No. 60605028)Program for Excellent Young Teachers of Shanghai, China (No. 04Y0HB094)+1 种基金State Leading Academic Discipline Fund of China (No. Y0102)Provincial Leading Academic Discipline Fund of Shanghai, China (No. BB67).
文摘Robotic unmanned blimps own an enormous potential for applications in low-speed and low-altitude exploration, surveillance, and monitoring, as well as telecommunication relay platforms. To make lighter-than-air platform a robotic blimp with significant levels of autonomy, the decoupled longitude and latitude dynamic model is developed, and the hardware and software of the flight control system are designed and detailed. Flight control and navigation strategy and algorithms for waypoint flight problem are discussed. A result of flight experiment is also presented, which validates that the flight control system is applicable and initial machine intelligence of robotic blimp is achieved.
