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Abstract
Flying animals such as birds, bats and insects all have extensive arrays of sensory organs distributed in their wings which provide them with detailed information about the airflow over their wings and the forces generated by this airflow. Using two small modified unmanned air vehicle platforms (UAVs), one with a distributed array of 12 strain gauge sensors and one with a chord-wise array of 4 pressure sensors, we have examined the distribution of the strain and air pressure signals over the UAV wings in relation to flight conditions, including wind tunnel testing, indoor free flight and outdoor free flight. We have also characterised the signals provided by controlled gusts and natural turbulence. These sensors were then successfully used to control roll motions in the case of the strain sensor platform and pitch motions in the case of the pressure sensor platform. These results suggest that distributed mechanosensing and airflow sensing both offer advantages beyond traditional flight control based on rigid body state estimation using inertial sensing. These advantages include stall detection, gust alleviation and model-free measurement of aerodynamic forces. These advantages are likely to be important in the development of future aircraft with increasing numbers of degrees of freedom both through flexibility and active morphing.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, 2017 |
Publisher | American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc. (AIAA) |
Number of pages | 19 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781624104503 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781624104503 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 9 Jan 2017 |
Event | AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, 2017 - Grapevine, United States Duration: 9 Jan 2017 → 13 Jan 2017 |
Publication series
Name | AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, 2017 |
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Conference
Conference | AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, 2017 |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | Grapevine |
Period | 9/01/17 → 13/01/17 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'Bio-inspired Distributed Strain and Airflow Sensing for Small Unmanned Air Vehicle Flight Control'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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BIAF: Flow sensing autonomous systems
Windsor, S. P. (Principal Investigator)
1/04/16 → 31/03/22
Project: Research