Advanced Research and Development

Team Q Advanced R&D

Team Q selected to do advanced tests on two areas of the AEV: propeller positioning, and engine power. Propeller positioning tested the engine efficiency of the AEV based on positioning of the propeller on the AEV and number of propellers used on AEV. Engine power tested the engine efficiency of the AEV based on the power supplied to the engine. The tests were done using two control codes, control codes are used so when things are changed on the AEV the AEV undergoes the same test.

 

Test 1: Propeller Configuration

Configurations Tested:

1. Two propellers on same side (original AEV setup)
2. One propeller on the front, one propeller on the back
3. One propeller on the front, second propeller not used

Propeller Configuration	Hypothesis	Resulting Efficiency
1	Will be most efficient in the forward direction, but lacking in the reverse direction	Least efficient out of the three set ups
2	Will have medium efficiency in both directions	Efficiency rating was in the middle of the two setups
3	Will be the least efficient	The most efficient setup because only one engine was used

Data:

	Configuration 2	Configuration 1	Configuration 3
Energy per Meter Traveling Forwards (J/m)	7.346956	6.446788	3.320582
Energy per Meter Traveling Backwards (J/m)	9.029574	9.11231	5.600276
Average Energy per Meter for Both Directions (J/m)	8.188265	7.779549	4.460429

After running tests, the group decided the most energy efficient propeller set up was to put one motor on the front and back of the AEV. Instead of using both motors at once, like in the propeller configuration 2, each motor will only be used to provide thrust in its relative forward positioning. Since the motors will be mounted in opposite directions, the AEV can utilize the most efficient motor for the desired direction of thrust.

 

Test 2: Engine Power

Power Levels Tested:

1. 10%
2. 20%
3. 30%
4. 50%

 

Propeller Configuration Used

 

Data:

	10% Motor Speed	15% Motor Speed	20% Motor Speed	35% Motor Speed	50% Motor Speed
Total Energy Used over Total Distance Traveled (J/m)	Not Enough Power to Run	Not Enough Power to Run	4.412129	3.320582	3.349638

After performing the motor speed efficiency tests using one engine in its forwards direction, the best speed found to maximize distance with the least amount of energy was at 35% power. However, because the 35% and 50% percent motor speed trials yielded very similar results, the team will likely test 40% and 45% motor speeds as well in the future to see if there is a more efficient power between these two conducted trials.