An Electric Power System for an Autonomous Blimp

This paper describes the design and implementation of an experimental electric power system to replace a gasoline system of a 30-feet unmanned autonomous blimp. The project was motivated by limitations and inefficiencies of the gasoline system. Autonomous flight requires extended duration flight and maneuvering capabilities that can be realized with an electric power system. In order to fully exploit the advantages of electric flight, the gondola housing the power and control systems was redesigned for minimum weight as a carbon fiber frame structure. With the optimal motor-propeller combination for the chosen motors, electric flight was possible at less than half of the power compared to the gasoline system indoors for 30 minutes. Increased maneuverability gained from the ability to stop, restart and reverse the motors in flight was an important step towards controlling the blimp with an onboard computer. The weight reduction of the gondola effectively increased the payload capacity, allowing for neutrally buoyant flight and additional sensor and control equipment. The electric power system significantly increased the blimp’s flight capabilities and provided the foundation for future work towards a fully autonomous blimp capable of operating alone or together with other robots in a multi-robot environment.