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Lab 3 was focusing on brainstorming the design of our future AEV and sketching the prototypes. After building the sample AEV from lab two, our team came up with some basic ideas such as the shape, the direction of the wings, and the length of the AEV. We also tried to figure out a way so that our AEV could be balanced with a high speed. For the last part, we brainstormed about where we should put our battery on the AEV. The pictures below are our individual designs of the AEV and our group concept sketch:
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):
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.
new doc 2018-02-01 10.03.25_1-1sv2gdv
Group Sketch:
By combining our individual ideas and key areas, we came up with our final sketch for our AEV.