Implementación de un banco de pruebas para el sistema de propulsión de un UAV de ala fija enfocado a la realización de ensayos de consumo de energía.

Abstract

Nowadays, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become one of the most promising technologies due to their excellent capabilities, versatility, and flexible operation. However, the autonomy offered by these systems limits their use in long-range applications. Furthermore, the efficiency of UAV propulsion systems remains low even though most of its components have evolved. Possibly, the two main reasons for these issues are: the energy density of the available batteries is quite low, and the powertrain is not always sized appropriately for the application needs. Therefore, increasing UAV flight time by improving the efficiency of propulsion systems remains as a great challenge. In this sense, this work aims to design and implement a test-bench, based on a mobile structure, for testing propulsion systems. The test-bench is able to get, and record thrust measurements produced by the motor-propeller set of a UAV. In addition, this project focuses on the study of the model of the propulsion system of a fixed-wing UAV, and it simulates a mathematical model of its components. By the modelling and the test-bench use, it is possible to evaluate the efficiency of the energy conversion of propulsion systems, and then to suggest possibilities for improvement.