Natural avian inspired ornithopter UAV

• Main Author: Kaung, Ko Ko
• Other Authors: Tegoeh Tjahjowidodo
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: Engineering::Mechanical engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/78654
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

With the increased frequent use of UAV for both military and commercial purposes along with innovative designs and manufacturing systems such as 3d addictive manufacturing, it has become much easier to develop and adapt a UAV which has future potential uses. In this final year project, the area of unconventional UAV is explored, mainly being the UAV which has unique bio mimicry propulsion and flight control systems similar to those found on birds, natural avian. Thus, main objective of this project is to design, build and improve unconventional aerial vehicle which can be disguised as a natural avian by using bio-inspired flapping propulsion system and flight control systems. Also, it is aimed for future developments. Limitations ensues technological developments. Same as in the case of small sized drones/ Unmanned Aerial Vehicles which are mainly fixed wings drones and multi rotors drones and their visual signatures had become increasingly recognizable from the ground. It is crucial, especially if the afore mentioned small UAVs are used for scouting and spying. Moreover, amongst other platforms such as hybrids, multi or single rotors, fix wing is still much preferred as it is a stable platform with a long-proven endurance due to its efficiency in straight level flight. Therefore, in this final year project, the product development will encompass studying and analyzing several bird species, mainly their flight dynamics and followed by engineering flexible flapping wing platforms which produce both thrust and lift by nature inspired movement of the birds’ wings in different flight phases, namely flapping, gliding and maneuvering. Several composite structural construction methods are explored along with usage of light weight designed materials. Studied areas cover chord and span of the wings based on different birds slow/ fast big.small flyers, flight dynamics inclusive of propulsion and lift and maneuvrability, structural designs along with material selection and on board and ground based electronics systems, and lastly the motor driven gearbox. Several prototypes and modular parts such as gear boxes and wings are explored to obtain varying results to obtain optimum flight worthy prototype.