Our first test AEV model is a fairly basic design. There are two wings on either side of the model, and the motors and propellers are anchored underneath the wings. We decided to add the wings in order to improve the aerodynamics of the model. Additionally, the arduino board is located in the front of the model, and the battery is located underneath, in the back of the model to counteract the weight of the arduino. Cords and wires have been strategically placed in order to keep them away from the propellers and from adding unnecessary drag.
In the near future, we have several ideas that we would like to test, and implement into our official design. For example, considering that our main focus is absolute speed, we need to find a way to make this model lighter, but still contain all of the necessary parts (battery, propellers, motors, arduino etc.). Eliminating excess weight will ultimately allow the AEV to move faster, which will allow us to achieve our overall focus. Additionally, the test model that we have created is a push model, in which the propellers are located in the back of the model, driving it forward. In the near future, we would like to test a pull model, one in which the propellers are located in the front, still driving the model forward. While we all predicted that a push model would be more beneficial for speed (considering that many vehicles, such as cars, have their driving force in the rear), we believe that it is still crucial that we also test a pull model.
Below is a photo of our competed AEV testing model.
In the first static run preformed by Group E the AEV required approximately 33 Joules. The changes in power over time are consistent with the code written for the Arduino. The increase in power is from and increase in percentage of power used from the battery. The constant power usage from approximately 4 to 6 seconds represents a constant power percentage. The large spike in power is from reversing the AEV at full speed which requires large amounts of energy. The power vs. distance graph will be completed in the next lab when the Arduino is placed on the open track.
