Distributed electric propulsion technology brings new ideas to the design of unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV), such as improving aerodynamic efficiency and propulsive efficiency, and new concept of vertical/short takeoff and landing configurations. However, compared with conventional UAV, the propulsion system of distributed electric propulsion UAV is more complex, which brings difficulties and challenges to the design of distributed electric propulsion UAV. Based on its special aerodynamic/propulsive coupling characteristics, this paper studies the design method and process of primary parameters of distributed electric propulsion UAV. A short takeoff and landing UAV with distributed electric propulsion system is taken as an example for the conceptual design and primary parameter design, and the influence of design parameters on the takeoff mass and endurance is analyzed. Finally, the validity of the established design method is verified by the flight test of the prototype. Results indicate that the distributed electric propulsion system accounts for more than 20% of the takeoff mass; the electric ducted fan efficiency, mass specific power of the motor, mass specific power of the electronic speed controller and the resistivity of power wires are the most significant design parameters that affect the performance of the UAV; with the improvement of technologies, the takeoff mass is expected to be reduced by more than 20%, and the endurance is expected to be increased by more than three times.
Feasibility Study of a Series Hybrid-Electric Propulsion System for a Fixed Wing VTOL Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
