This research is going to derive mathematical formulas firstly and then conduct the simulation to find where the piezoelectric transducer should be optimally placed on the unmanned aircraft systems to maximise energy recovery and hence increase flight duration.
objective 1 – literature review
(40 literature references required)
objective 2 – establish governing mathematical formulas
(CFD, FEA….)
The first phase of the methodology focuses on deriving mathematical formulas that govern the energy recovery process through piezoelectric transducers. This involves analyzing the aerodynamic characteristics of the unmanned aircraft during flight to identify optimal locations for transducer placement. The following steps are undertaken:
Aerodynamic Analysis: Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the aircraft’s aerodynamic properties, including airflow patterns, pressure distribution, and wing deformation during flight. This analysis serves as the foundation for understanding the regions with the highest potential for energy harvesting.
Piezoelectric Energy Conversion Model: Develop a mathematical model that represents the energy conversion process of piezoelectric transducers. This model should consider factors such as the deflection of wing surfaces, airspeed, and vibration frequency. Incorporate relevant equations from piezoelectric theory to capture the energy conversion efficiency.
Energy Recovery Optimization: Formulate an optimization problem that aims to maximize energy recovery from the piezoelectric transducers. The objective function should be defined as the energy harvested per unit time. Introduce constraints related to the aircraft’s structural integrity, weight distribution, and available space for transducer placement.
The second phase of the methodology involves conducting simulations to validate the derived mathematical formulas and identify the optimal placement of piezoelectric transducers. This step integrates computational tools and software for accurate analysis:
Piezoelectric Transducer Placement Simulation: Implement the derived mathematical formulas within the simulation environment to predict the energy recovery from different transducer placement scenarios. Simulate a range of flight maneuvers, including takeoff, cruise, and landing, to capture varying aerodynamic conditions.
The third phase involves conducting sensitivity analyses and validating the simulation results to ensure the robustness and accuracy of the proposed methodology:
Validation: Validate the simulation results by comparing them with empirical data from actual flight experiments. Use data collected from piezoelectric-equipped unmanned aircraft flights to assess the accuracy of the simulation predictions.
The final phase involves utilizing the simulation results to make informed recommendations for optimal piezoelectric transducer placement:
Optimal Placement Identification: Analyze the simulation outcomes to identify the specific regions of the aircraft where piezoelectric transducers should be optimally placed to maximize energy recovery. Consider flight phases, such as takeoff, cruise, and landing, to determine dynamic placement strategies.
Flight Duration Enhancement: Calculate the potential increase in flight duration achieved by implementing the recommended transducer placement. Compare the flight endurance of the optimized configuration with a baseline configuration without energy recovery.