Browsing by Author "Mangio, Arion L."

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    A design tool for matching UAV propeller and power plant performance
    (2013-05) Mangio, Arion L.
    A large body of knowledge is available for matching propellers to engines for large propeller driven aircraft. Small UAV's and model airplanes operate at much lower Reynolds numbers and use fixed pitch propellers so the information for large aircraft is not directly applicable. A design tool is needed that takes into account Reynolds number effects, allows for gear reduction, and the selection of a propeller optimized for the airframe. The tool developed in this thesis does this using propeller performance data generated from vortex theory or wind tunnel experiments and combines that data with an engine power curve. The thrust, steady state power, RPM, and tip Mach number vs. velocity curves are generated. The Reynolds number vs. non dimensional radial station at an operating point is also found. The tool is then used to design a geared power plant for the SAE Aero Design competition. To measure the power plant performance, a purpose built engine test stand was built. The characteristics of the engine test stand are also presented. The engine test stand was then used to characterize the geared power plant. The power plant uses a 26x16 propeller, 100/13 gear ratio, and an LRP 0.30 cubic inch engine turning at 28,000 RPM and producing 2.2 HP. Lastly, the measured power plant performance is presented. An important result is that 17 lbf of static thrust is produced.
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    Flying Wing Optimization
    (2010-04-21) Mangio, Arion L.
    The flying wing with camber, constant chord, and high aspect ratio is a stable platform and possible to fly in a controllable fashion. The main concern is in turning flight. A vertical fin may need to be used or more sophisticated drag creating control surfaces at the wing tips could be created. Also stabilizing electronics would need to be used for the yaw axis. Large control surfaces must be used to effectively change the shape of the wing and to give ample control in yaw. The weight saved by not having a tail section may be lost by having large control surfaces and more electronics. A good compromise may be to have a vertical fin and large ailerons instead of having drag flaps at the wing tips.