|
|
|
Discussion
Hybrid Airship Idea for Comment / Suggestion
Hi All,
I am a 30 year model airplane veteran with tons of electronics and scratch building experience, but sadly no blimp experience at all. I have a need to perform autonomous aerial surveys at slow speeds (<6mph) carrying a magnetometer which will have some weight to it, maybe 2 lbs is a good range, hoping for half that. Obviously a drone or heli makes the most sense at first glance, but I would like to create something a little more efficient so I can cover more ground. I am already well versed in the GPS autopilots and have an APM Module with all the toys for autonomous flight so this discussion is just for the construction and/or feasibility of the following air-frame idea. My out-of-the-box brain came up with an idea for a very large (let say 10' wingspan for now), helium-filled flying wing...essentially. It would fly on the wing like a normal fixed wing aircraft, the helium and large, super-light airframe would be to help offset the extra weight of the electronics package. I know nothing of blimp or balloon design, but I could see it basically starting as a 10' hollow carbon tube as a main spar with electronics mounted to it for a simple differential thrust or "skid steer" type control (No moving control surfaces required). Build a super light frame to hold the airfoil shape, then wrap a big mylar balloon around the carbon frame and fill with helium. (?) Admittedly I have no clue where to even start. Would love to hear the voices of experience weigh in, even if it is to show me the fatal flaw I missed while dreaming this up. I'm not afraid of reading and research, just need a direction. Thanks in advance for any advice or thoughts. Jason P.S. I will do a build log and post here if we can come up with a workable design. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hi Jason,
you would probably be better off using a 'standard' blimp, rather than a hybrid. a 2lb / 1kg payload would probably suit a blimp about the size you mention (say 10' by 4', or 3 by 1.2m where I come from), and you may be able to buy one off the shelf - if not, they're not super difficult to build. Hybrids are nifty, but they are a lot harder to build because you have to work hard to shape the gas envelope (adding complexity and weight), and you only get the extra lift if you're moving quickly - and since it sounds like you're going to be going under 6mph / 5 knots, you're not going to see much dynamic lift. Another thought though is the conditions you're going to fly in - if it's outdoors, you'll need a bigger blimp to cope with even light breezes. Also, how low does your magnetometer need to be? Moving close to the ground can be challenging due to gusts :-). (Although you can always tether a well padded instrument package and fly the blimp a little higher I guess...) All the very best of luck, - Chris |
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you Chris, the wind factor was my main consideration when dreaming up my flying wing as my brain thinks it would penetrate better than a blimp. After some additional research I can see that my thinking was flawed.
The location of the surveys will be in coastal environments searching for ferrous metals left behind by long lost sailing ships. The instrument package needs to be as close to the ground as possible, 5 feet is my goal. It will already have to be suspended below the aircraft to get it out of the electromagnetic effects of the motors and electronics. Early tests indicate that 15-20 feet should accomplish this. This may not even be a feasible idea, it has many arms all moving at the same time. We are working on ways to make the lightest, highest frame rate mag that we can. It may end up as an 8 ounce sensor that can go 15 mph, I just don't know yet. People way smarter than me are working on that end. :-) My job is to fly it over land (dunes) that we are not allowed to walk on and use the results to help us locate missing pieces of the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet. It would be a mammoth undertaking, but we would survey the better part of 20 miles of coastline, or at least several large sections of it. The reward could be millions in Spanish Treasure, or a lame excuse to spend your life diving and building model airplanes. :-) I'll take either. Thanks for the thoughts, Jason |
|
|
Thread Tools | |
Similar Threads | |||||
Category | Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Discussion | Self Policing Suggestion and comment on RCG - Drone Advocacy - List of Demands... | Sonar5 | Model Aircraft & Drone Advocacy | 126 | Aug 18, 2016 04:09 PM |
Discussion | Comments and suggestions on new build | F550Hex | Multirotor Drone Electronics | 3 | Feb 25, 2016 10:57 PM |
Idea | What would you suggest for this multirotor idea? | LuftwaffeSS | Multirotor Drone Talk | 15 | Jan 08, 2016 05:40 PM |
Discussion | suggestions for dumb ideas. Have some spare parts to play with. | RcPro97 | Chit Chat | 0 | Dec 15, 2015 05:24 AM |