Robust Parafoil Terminal Guidance Using Massively Parallel Processing, 2013 Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus
Robust Parafoil Terminal Guidance Using Massively Parallel Processing, Jonathan Rogers, Nathan Slegers
Faculty Publications - Biomedical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering
Terminal guidance of autonomous parafoils is a difficult problem in which wind uncertainty and system underactuation are major challenges. Existing strategies almost exclusively use impact error as the criterion for optimality. Practical airdrop systems, however, must also include other criteria that maybe even more important than impact error for some missions, such as ground speed at impact or constraints imposed by drop zones with restrictions on flight patterns. Furthermore, existing guidance schemes determine terminal trajectories using deterministic wind information and may result in a solution that works in ideal wind but may be sensitive to variations. The work described here …
Determination Of Human Powered Helicopter Stability Characteristics Using Multi-Body System Simulation Techniques, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Determination Of Human Powered Helicopter Stability Characteristics Using Multi-Body System Simulation Techniques, Sean M. Brown
Master's Theses
Multi-Body System Simulation combined with System Identification was developed as a method for determining the stability characteristics of a human powered helicopter(HPH) configurations. HPH stability remains a key component for meeting competition requirements, but has not been properly treated. Traditional helicopter dynamic analysis is not suited to the HPH due to its low rotation speeds and light weight. Multi-Body System Simulation is able to generate dynamic response data for any HPH configuration. System identification and linear stability theory are used to determine the stability characteristics from the dynamic response. This thesis focuses on the method development and doesn't present any …
A (Declassified) History Of Military Drones, 2012 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
A (Declassified) History Of Military Drones, Stephen Rayleigh
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or drones, are said to be the newest technology of contemporary warfare, but the military's use of drones spans the last 100 years. Hear the riveting story of the numerous secret UAV programs around the world, starting with the Sperry Aerial Torpedo Project in 1918 (consulted by Orville Wright), the German cruise missile program, American remote controlled bombers in WWII, the Firebee recon drone used in Vietnam, Israel's highly successful UAV program, and finally the coming of age of UAV's in Operation Desert Storm.
Jet Engine Thrust Ratings, 2012 Minnesota State University, Mankato
Jet Engine Thrust Ratings, Nihad E. Daidzic
Aviation Department Publications
No abstract provided.
Telescope Assembly Alignment Simulator Performance Optimization, 2012 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Telescope Assembly Alignment Simulator Performance Optimization, Joshua G. Thompson, Brian Eney, Zaheer Ali, Bob Thompson
STAR Program Research Presentations
The Telescope Assembly Alignment Simulator (TAAS) calibrates scientific instruments (SI’s) that are installed on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). An SI’s accuracy is directly dependent on the consistent performance of the TAAS, which has never been fully characterized. After designing various thermal and optical experiments to identify the current unknowns of TAAS, we now have a far better grasp on how the equipment behaves.
Two-Stage, High-Altitude Rocket With Internal Skeleton Design Entered In Advance Category Of 7th Esra Irec, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Two-Stage, High-Altitude Rocket With Internal Skeleton Design Entered In Advance Category Of 7th Esra Irec, Samuel S. Bowman, Kevin J. Byrne, Allen Capatina, Aliki S. Loper-Leddy, Joshua A. Van Schoyck
Aerospace Engineering
A high-altitude, two-stage rocket was designed, built, and entered in the advanced category of the 7th Annual Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA) Intercollegiate Rocketry Engineering Competition (IREC). The rocket, called AJAKS, featured an internal skeleton made of carbon fiber rods, and a combination of plywood, carbon, and aluminum bulkheads. Loads were driven through the internal structure, with an outer skin tube providing an aerodynamic surface. A unique separation device was developed to ensure proper stage separation. The competition required the rocket to carry a 10-lb payload, which was chosen by the team to consist of an IMU and data …
Flexible Circuits For Aerospace Applications With Special Emphasis On Rf Connectors, 2012 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Flexible Circuits For Aerospace Applications With Special Emphasis On Rf Connectors, Abhishek Nareshraj Singh
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The current work focused on the study of flexible electronic circuits for use in aerospace applications with emphasis on RF Connectors. The electrical and mechanical performance of the flexible circuits was studied and compared to a standard coaxial cable for feasibility study in avionics space. Also, Anisotropic Conductive Films (ACF) are studied for connecting the flexible RF connectors and their performance studied for electrical and mechanical behavior with change in bonding parameters.
Development Of A Flight Test Program For A Homebuilt Zenith Stol Ch 701, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Development Of A Flight Test Program For A Homebuilt Zenith Stol Ch 701, Reed Danis, Dave Nguyen
Aerospace Engineering
The objective of this senior project is to prepare a phase I flight test program for a homebuilt Zenith CH 701 kit aircraft. The CH 701 is a small, short takeoff and landing experimental aircraft. A team including several Cal Poly students helped to construct the airframe and avionics of a 701 during the 2011-2012 academic year. The flight test program is necessary for obtaining unrestricted FAA flight certification for the completed aircraft. A set of test flight cards were created to aid in meeting the 25 to 40 hours of required phase I flight testing. These cards include specific …
Instrument Panel Design, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Instrument Panel Design, Martin Bialy, Amber Carney, Michael Roche
Aerospace Engineering
This project focused on the design and implementation of an Electronic Flight Instrument System for a home built experimental aircraft known as a CH-701. Older aircraft use manual gauges and dials based on varying internal instruments such as gyro’s and the like but many of these traditional instruments to a singular GUI displaying multiple instruments data at one time. These devices are aimed at helping the pilot stay more alert and aware when flying between automatic warnings when in dangerous flying conditions / configurations as well as simplifying the instrument panel to only display what is absolutely necessary. These programs …
Development Of A Pyrotechnic Shock Simulation Apparatus For Spacecraft Applications, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Development Of A Pyrotechnic Shock Simulation Apparatus For Spacecraft Applications, Joseph Binder, Matthew Mccarty, Chris Rasmussen
Aerospace Engineering
This report details the research, design, construction, and testing of a pyrotechnic shock simulation apparatus for spacecraft applications. The apparatus was developed to be used in the Space Environments Lab at California Polytechnic State University. It will be used for testing spacecraft components with dimensions up to 24”x12”x12” as well as CubeSats. Additionally, it may be used as an instructional or demonstrational tool in the Aerospace Department’s space environments course. The apparatus functions by way of mechanical impact of an approximately 20 lb stainless steel swinging hammer. Tests were performed to verify the simulator’s functionality. Suggestions for improvement and further …
Human Powered Helicopter: Rotor Structure, 2012 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Human Powered Helicopter: Rotor Structure, Joseph Ram, Juan Carlos Olvera
Mechanical Engineering
The following report encompasses the Human Powered Helicopter Rotor Team’s conceptual models and ideas based on research and modeling analysis. The following gives an overview of material researched, concept generation, analyzation, manufacturing, and testing for a rotor structure to be installed in a Human Powered Helicopter.
The North Dakota Space Robotics Program: Teaching Spacecraft Development Skills To Students Statewide With High Altitude Ballooning, 2012 SelectedWorks
The North Dakota Space Robotics Program: Teaching Spacecraft Development Skills To Students Statewide With High Altitude Ballooning, Jeremy Straub, Ronald Fevig
Jeremy Straub
The University of North Dakota is serving as the lead institution in a statewide effort to develop student spacecraft engineering skills. This effort, which is part of the North Dakota Space Robotics Program (NDSRP), provides students the ability to participate in the design, development and fabrication of a small satellite analog that is launched by a high altitude balloon. The first iteration of the NDSRP Near-Spacecraft Project is generating a functional prototype of a remote sensing payload, which will perform onboard image processing. This project included undergraduate and graduate students from two institutions and five different academic departments. The students …
Formalizing Mission Analysis And Design Techniques For High Altitude Ballooning, 2012 SelectedWorks
Formalizing Mission Analysis And Design Techniques For High Altitude Ballooning, Jeremy Straub, Ronald Fevig
Jeremy Straub
High altitude balloon (HAB) missions can be and are used to teach concepts related to spacecraft and satellite design. A HAB mission, however, presents unique characteristics, which must be understood and respected to produce a desirable outcome. Because of this, flying an unaltered satellite design as a HAB payload would be as undesirable as utilizing an unaltered HAB design as a satellite. A well-defined process for HAB mission design is thus needed. The process presented mirrors commonly used space mission design processes to facilitate easy transition between the two. It is also comparatively simple, due to the smaller scale of …
Humanitarian Response Unmanned Aircraft System (Hr-Uas), 2012 University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Humanitarian Response Unmanned Aircraft System (Hr-Uas), Justin T. Knott, David P. Brundage, John S. Campbell, D. Austin Eldridge, Shaun B. Hooker, Jake R. Mashburn, Jacob L. Philpott
Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects
No abstract provided.
A Survey Of Gaps, Obstacles, And Technical Challenges For Hypersonic Applications, 2012 University of Tennessee, Knoxville
A Survey Of Gaps, Obstacles, And Technical Challenges For Hypersonic Applications, Timothy Andrew Barber
Masters Theses
The object of this study is to canvas the literature for the purpose of identifying and compiling a list of Gaps, Obstacles, and Technological Challenges in Hypersonic Applications (GOTCHA). The significance of GOTCHA related deficiencies is discussed along with potential solutions, promising approaches, and feasible remedies that may be considered by engineers in pursuit of next generation hypersonic vehicle designs and optimizations. Based on the synthesis of several modern surveys and public reports, a cohesive list is formed, consisting of widely accepted areas needing improvement and falling under several general categories. These include: aerodynamics, propulsion, materials, analytical modeling, CFD modeling, …
A Perching Landing Gear For A Quadcopter, 2012 Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
A Perching Landing Gear For A Quadcopter, Elsa Culler, Gray Thomas, Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee
The design, fabrication, and testing of two prototypes of a landing gear mechanism that would allow a quadcopter to grasp and perch upon a branch-like structure are presented. The prototypes are based upon a snapping-claw mechanism that is triggered on the impact of landing. A complaint claw, fabricated using shape deposition manufacturing techniques, can conform to various shapes and contours of perching structures. Results from flight tests with a commercial off-the-shelf quadcopter and zip line tests are presented which demonstrate the performance of the mechanism.
Fadec Advances Allow Better Engine Performance, 2012 Minnesota State University, Mankato
Fadec Advances Allow Better Engine Performance, Nihad E. Daidzic
Aviation Department Publications
No abstract provided.
Nonlinear Uav Flight Control Using Command Filtered Backstepping, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Nonlinear Uav Flight Control Using Command Filtered Backstepping, Brian M. Borra
Master's Theses
The aim of this effort is to implement a nonlinear flight control architecture, specifically flight path control via command filtered backstepping, for use in AME UAS's Fury® 1500 unmanned flying wing aircraft. Backstepping is a recursive, control-effort minimizing, constructive design procedure that interlaces the choice of a Lyapunov function with the design of feedback control. It allows the use of certain plant states to act as intermediate, virtual controls, for others breaking complex high order systems into a sequence of simpler lower-order design tasks.
Work herein is a simplified implementation based on publications by Farrell, Sharma, and Polycarpou. Online approximation …
The Art And Beauty Of Flight, 2012 Western Michigan University
The Art And Beauty Of Flight, Edmond Ing Huang Tan
The Hilltop Review
This picture nicely represents the art and gracefulness of flight with the beauty of sunset in a tranquil setting. In the picture is a powered paragliding, also known as paramotoring in the plains of Nebraska. The ability to fly both low and slow safely, the 'open' feel, the minimal equipment and maintenance costs, the portability, minimally regulated and requires no license are claimed to be this type of flying's greatest merits. Paramotors can be flown during any season of the year anywhere but not in high wind conditions which typically means at low Sun azimuths as shown in the picture …
Microgas Turbine Engine Characteristics Using Biofuel, 2012 Western Michigan University
Microgas Turbine Engine Characteristics Using Biofuel, Edmond Ing Huang Tan, William W. Liou
The Hilltop Review
Aviation fuels commonly used today are extracted from the kerosene fraction of the crude oil that is distilled between the gasoline and the diesel. Crude oil is not renewable and the world oil reserve is generally believed to be on the decline. In 2006, 6.3% of the world's refinery production was used for aviation fuel (Nygren et. al., 2009). At an estimated rate of 3% increase of fuel demand per year, aviation use alone will consume the world fuel production by 2026. Therefore, there is a need for the aviation industry to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and, perhaps, …