A Parametric Study on Design Variables for Solar Powered Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31181/rme313Keywords:
Aspect Ratio, Span, Payload Mass, Payload Power Consumption, Cruise Altitude, Cloudy Overcast, Efficiency of Solar Panels, Energy Density of Storage Battery, Parametric Study, Conceptual DesignAbstract
Solar-powered long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer significant potential for various applications due to their extended flight endurance. However, optimizing the design of solar-powered UAVs to achieve maximum efficiency and performance remains a complex challenge. The main objective of this research is to explore the sensitivity of solar-powered UAV mass to different design variables and technological constraints. The study employs a conceptual design methodology, iterating through various design configurations while specific design variables within bounds of historical data. Key parameters, including aspect ratio, wing span, payload mass, power consumption, cruise altitude, and technological constraints such as solar panel efficiency and battery energy density, are systematically varied to analyze their impact on UAV mass. The study also considers the influence cloud cover on solar power generation. This parametric study's results divulge solar-powered UAV mass's sensitivity to these design variables and technological constraints. By identifying key factors influencing UAV mass, the study offers actionable insights for designers and engineers in aerospace industry. The findings contribute to advancing the understanding of solar-powered UAV technology and lay the groundwork for future research and development initiatives to enhance UAV performance and efficiency.
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