Development and fabrication of solar powered UAV : Part 2

• Main Author: Cheng, Shi Wee
• Other Authors: Li Peifeng
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Aeronautical engineering::Aircraft
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/65722
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This series of Final Year Projects aim to achieve sustain flight of solar UAV. The skills, methodology and philosophy involved in building solar UAVs are passed down every batch of students taking this project. From experiences shared by previous batches, manufacturing process and design philosophy will be gradually improved. In the initial phase in this year’s project, a prototype of a small scale glider was used to experiment on the feasibility of integrating solar panels on RC gliders that are bought off shelf. The results for the integration prove to be conclusive and a basic set of manufacturing process and design philosophy was established for future prototype. In the second phase of the project, a larger model glider was adopted and integrated with solar panels. Further refinement on the methods of production produced an improved version from the first prototype. This current model of glider will be used in data collection for the optimization of in-flight solar energy charging capabilities to achieve a longer flight time.