Evolution of Design

Prototype Designs:


Shell Designs:

Pros: High durability, aerodynamic, goes forward and backward easily

Cons: Hard to maintain, exposed blades are hazardous, slightly complex to build

 


 Wing Designs:

 

Pros: Easy to maintain, large volume of air available to propellers,  simple/easy to build, aerodynamic

Cons: Low durability, exposed blades are hazardous, does not reverse efficiently

 


Screening and Scoring:

 

Stability: how well the AEV  can smoothly go down the track

Minimal Blockage: the lack of any part of the AEV that inhibits the airflow to the motors

Maintenance: how easily the AEV can be assembled and wired

Durability: how sturdy the AEV is

Safety: based on whether the blades are protected and whether there were any safety concerns during track tests

Result: the WT (Wind Tunnel) Design scored the best and is what we will focus on going forward

 


Winged Design:

This is the secondary design that will be tested.

 


Wind Tunnel Design:

This is the primary design going forward.

 


Performance Test 1

The arduino code used for this test is provided in the code archive.

Graph interpretation: First Part – AEV heads towards the gate where the motors reverse, causing a spike in power, and then brakes the AEV with high amounts of power for a short time.  Second Part – AEV moves forward at a constant speed when the gate opens after 7 seconds.

 


Performance Test 2

The arduino code used for this test is provided in the code archive.

Graph interpretation: First Part – AEV heads towards the gate where it then reverses motors and brakes. Second Part – AEV continues forward when the gate opens until it brakes to gently connects with the caboose. Third Part – AEV heads in reverse to remove the caboose from the loading zone.

 


Final Performance Tests

The arduino codes used for these tests are provided in the code archive.

Graph interpretation: First Part – AEV heads towards the gate where it then reverses motors and brakes. Second Part – AEV continues forward when the gate opens until it brakes to gently connects with the caboose. Third Part – AEV heads in reverse until it brakes before the gate.  Fourth Part – AEV continues backwards to get some momentum and then cuts off the motors to coast. Fifth Part – AEV brakes with the caboose inside of the loading zone.

 


Final Performance Test with Wind Tunnel

The arduino code used for this test is provided in the code archive.

Graph interpretation: First Part – AEV heads towards the gate where it then reverses motors and brakes. Second Part – AEV continues forward when the gate opens until it brakes to gently connects with the caboose. Third Part – AEV heads in reverse until it brakes before the gate.  Fourth Part – AEV continues backwards to get some momentum and then cuts off the motors to coast. Fifth Part – AEV brakes with the caboose inside of the loading zone.