Structural Development for Human Powered Aircraft

Periodic Energy-Optimal Path Planning for Solar-Powered Aircraft

[Abstract] This paper considers energy-optimal path planning in a loitering mission for solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) which collect solar energy from the sun to power their flight. We consider ascending and descending flight maneuvers in a periodic mission constrained to the surface of a vertical cylinder. The coupling of the aircraft kinematic and energetic models is treated in...

Bayesian Methods for Aircraft Structural Health Monitoring

Aircraft structures, whether metallic or composite, are subject to service damage which requires their periodic inspection and maintenance. While taking the aircraft out of service is quite costly, the assurance of structural integrity requires such inspection – and possible repair work based on the inspection results obtained. If damage is detected from an inspection, the decision whether to r...

Feasibility Study of Building a Human Powered Hydrofoil Vessel

In this paper, a feasibility study of building a Human Powered Hydrofoil (HPH) vessel is reported. Hydrofoil vessels are a well-known class of high-speed crafts. In addition to high-speed operation, the hydrofoils have a reliable maneuvering capability, good stability and proper operation in waves. Also, a human powered vehicle, nowadays is an advancing idea. Different aspects of the design and...

Evaluation of the Applicability of the Vortex Lattice Method to the Analysis of Human Powered Aircraft

Solar-Powered Aircraft: Energy-Optimal Path Planning and Perpetual Endurance

This paper considers energy-optimal path planning and perpetual endurance for unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with solar cells on the wings, which collect energy used to drive a propeller. Perpetual endurance is the ability to collect more energy than is lost during a day. This paper considers two unmanned aerial vehicle missions: 1) to travel between given positions within an allowed duratio...