Masters Theses

Keywords and Phrases

micro-UAV; Strain Gauge; Thrust Sensing; UAV

Abstract

"Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become prevalent in both military and civilian applications. UAVs have many size categories from large-scale aircraft to micro air vehicles. The performance, health, and efficiency for UAVs of smaller sizes can be difficult to assess and few associated instrumentation systems have been developed. Thrust measurements on the ground can characterize systems especially when combined with simultaneous motor power measurements. This thesis demonstrates the use of strain measurements to measure the thrust produced by motor/propeller combinations for such small UAVs. A full-bridge Wheatstone circuit and electrical resistance strain gauges were used in conjunction with constant-stress cantilever beams for static tests and dynamic wind tunnel tests. An associated instrumentation module monitored power from the electric motor. Monitoring the thrust data over time can provide insights into optimal propeller and motor selection and early detection of problems such as component failure. The approach provides a system for laboratory or field measurements that can be scaled for a wide range of small UAVs"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Watkins, Steve Eugene, 1960-

Committee Member(s)

Kim, Chang-Soo
Isaac, Kakkattukuzhy M.

Department(s)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Electrical Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Summer 2016

Pagination

x, 107 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 104-106).

Rights

© 2016 Christopher Scott Marchman, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Drone aircraft
Airplanes -- Motors -- Thrust -- Measurement
Strain gages

Thesis Number

T 10968

Electronic OCLC #

958293873

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