Techsburg - News Archives - January, 2012
Techsburg chairman Dr. Wing Ng presents a paper entitled “Development of an Air Data System for Ducted Fan Unmanned Aircraft” at the 50th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Nashville, TN
Development of an Air Data System for Ducted Fan Unmanned Aircraft
Abstract: Analysis and wind tunnel testing performed as part of a development program for a family of ducted fan unmanned aircraft has generated a significant database of wind tunnel data. These include force and moment data as well as duct lip surface pressures over a range of flight velocities, fan speeds, and vehicle tilt angles. In recognition of the need for a simple, lightweight, and robust air data system for this class of UAV, a study was undertaken to correlate duct pressure data to freestream flow velocities. Sample pressure data and a simple correlation methodology is presented in this paper. Results from this study indicate a strong correlation is present between duct pressures and freestream flow velocities, with very good system sensitivities at flow speeds at and well below 5 knots for the vehicles studied. “Development of an Air Data System for Ducted Fan Unmanned Aircraft” - PDF