Design

Preliminary Designs:

1. Individual sketch and brainstorming before building the AEV:

Individual Sketch (Xingyu Yan):

Xingyu Yan individual sketch-1n6qoaf

The key areas for this AEV are the wide delta wings and the arrangement of the weight such as the battery and the arduino. Wide delta wings have a higher aspect ratio than shorter ones, and this is an advantage if the plane does not need to go fast (http://howthingsfly.si.edu/ask-an-explainer/what-are-advantages-large-wing). Since our mission concept review is focusing on the precision of the AEV. By having wider wings, I believe that they can create less thrust than usual wings. The delta wings will let the AEV become more stable. For the weight on the AEV, it is important to have a good arrangement so that the AEV can be balanced. By having the weights assigned in a relatively symmetrical way, the AEV can be stable.

 

Individual Sketch (Greg Reyes):

bullship-25gfo4h

This AEV is meant to go through the track quickly like a bull, hence the name. The wide frame is meant to stabilize the whole vehicle. The wide wings are meant to help the AEV go through the air with more ease as the propellers move the vehicle along the track. The tapered end is meant to help the vehicle become more aerodynamic to travel through the air easier.

 

Individual Sketch (John Blevins):

This AEV design is built to be compact, precise, and balanced. The T-Frame of the wheel support allows the weight of the AEV parts (battery, arduino, motors) to be centered along the middle. The wings are designed to minimize air resistance, so they are packed in tightly to the body of the AEV (http://www.staff.science.uu.nl/~kortl101/ubl_1-01-1_air-resist_manual-st.pdf). This allows the AEV to move quickly and precisely, minimizing error.

[IMG_1406-19whg6a] (imported)-1mkk5mq

 

Individual Sketch (John McLaughlin):

This AEV design is built to minimize the weight of the AEV, which is why little material is used. The L-shaped brackets for the propellers would help stabilize the AEV as it goes down the track because of how wide the wings make the base. I also made the front of the AEV similar to the shape of an arrowhead in order to help the AEV cut through the air to reduce drag and increase energy efficiency. The arduino is placed in the center, just to the left of the body, in order to counter-balance the placement of the arm that connects the AEV to the tracks.

Advanced R & D Design used for testing:

  • This AEV design was built to minimize the weight of the AEV, which is why as little material is used.  The 90 degree brackets for the propellers help stabilize the AEV as it goes down the track because of how wide the wings make the base. We also made the front of the AEV similar to the shape of an arrowhead in order to help the AEV cut through the air to reduce drag and increase energy efficiency.  The arduino is placed in the center-front, just to the left of the body in order to counter-balance the placement of the arm that connects the AEV to the tracks.
  • Drew inspiration from Tie-Fighters and X-Wings from Star Wars.
  • General Shape:
    • One solid T-shaped base
    • Vertical wings attached to base
  • Purpose:
    • More compact
    • More stable
  • The motors are parallel to the horizontal base which allows for the propellers to push the whole base , rather than pushing the AEV from above the base.
  • With one whole base, the force from the propellers will not be lost with the connecting pieces between parts and can provide structural stability.
  • The design of vertical wings was inspired from the wings on airplanes, which can reduce the turbulence.

Performance Test 1:

  • Design A:

The Design A prototype has vertical wings and a T-shape base.

  • Design B:

The Design B prototype has diagonal wings and a T-shape base.

  • Design A was been chosen as the final AEV design.