Multirotor Sizing Methodology with Flight Time Estimation

Marcin Biczyski (1) , Rabia Sehab (1) , James Whidborne (2) , Guillaume Krebs (3) , Patrick Luk (4)

1 ESTACA - École Supérieure des Techniques Aéronautiques et de Construction Automobile
2 Department of Aerospace Sciences - Cranfield
3 GeePs - Laboratoire Génie électrique et électronique de Paris
4 Cranfield University

This paper addresses the need for sizing of rotors for multirotor vehicle applications such as 14 personal air transport, delivery, surveillance and photography. A methodology for the propeller and motor selection is developed and augmented with flight time estimation capabilities. Being multirotor-specific it makes use of the platform's simplicity to rapidly provide a set of off- the-shelf components ready to be used in the vehicle. Use of operating points makes the comparison process fast, precise and tailored to specific application. The method is easily implemented in software to provide an automated tool. Furthermore, clearly defined input and output parameters make it also usable as a module in other multicriteria optimisation algorithms. The new methodology is validated through comparison with consumer-grade drone and the calculated results are compliant with manufacturer's specification in terms of maximum hover time.

Keywords: BLDC; Multirotor; PAV; Propeller; Sizing

Domains: Engineering Sciences [physics]

Marcin Biczyski, Rabia Sehab, James Whidborne, Guillaume Krebs, Patrick Luk. Multirotor Sizing Methodology with Flight Time Estimation. Journal of Advanced Transportation, 2020, 2020, pp.9689604. ⟨10.1155/2020/9689604⟩. ⟨hal-02504788⟩