Indirect Rotational Energy Harvesting System to Enhance the Power Supply of the Quadcopter

Siranthini Balraj; Anitha Ganesan

doi:10.14429/dsj.70.14568

Siranthini Balraj Department of Aerospace Engineering, Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University, Chennai - 600 044
Anitha Ganesan Department of Aerospace Engineering, Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University, Chennai - 600 044

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.70.14568

Keywords: BLDC generator, Quadcopter, Energy harvesting, Unpowered rotors, Freewheeling propeller

Abstract

This paper presents a simple energy harvesting system using unpowered freewheeling propellers mounted on the quadcopter without changing its actual design. Different layout configurations have been analysed and its thrust variation also tested to place the harvesting system in a suitable place in the quadcopter. The same and different size freewheeling propellers running coordination and its speed ratio are examined at various speed. To know the flow performance the freewheeling propellers Reynolds number is calculated. The freewheeling propellers rotational energy which creates an electrical power by means of micro BLDC generator. The harvested energy from the BLDC generator is maximized using three-phase MOSFET enabled controlled rectifier with hysteresis comparator. To meet the requirement of powering the quadcopter the output voltage from the generator is boosted and regulated using single DC-DC SEPIC boost converter with high voltage and current range. This energy can be directly charge secondary battery or power the other electronic payloads. The freewheeling propeller energy harvesting system has been implemented and tested in the laboratory at static condition which gives 51 per cent of harvested current.

Author Biographies

Siranthini Balraj, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University, Chennai - 600 044

Ms Siranthini Balraj received her BE (EEE) from Madurai Kamaraj University and ME (Power Systems Engineering) from Anna University. Currently she is a research scholar in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at MIT Campus, Anna University, Chennai. Her areas of interest are: Power optimisation, power applications of avionics, all electric aircraft.

Anitha Ganesan, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University, Chennai - 600 044

Dr Anitha Ganesan obtained her BE (EEE) from ACCET, Karaikudi, and MTech (Control and Instrumentation) from IITM, Chennai, and PhD in Avionics from Anna University, Chennai. Currently she is working as Associate Professor in Division of Avionics, Department of Aerospace Engineering, MIT, Anna University, Chennai. Her areas of interest are: avionics, aircraft navigation, guidance and control systems, and image processing.

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