|
for the operation of solar-powered HALEs , as throughout the extreme summer , solar energy is enduringly available , which outmodes the demand of spanning the night hours with battery or fuel energy .
Still , the research on HALE UAV capacity of harvesting energy through the vibration during the wind interaction via the piezoelectric is not well developed .
The first and only flight test attempt for UAV with the attachment of piezoelectric patch and solar panel for the energy harvesting was conducted by Anton & Inman as presented in their article entitled “ Vibration energy harvesting for unmanned aerial vehicles ” in 2008 . It was through the modification of commercially available remote control ( RC ) aircraft .
The modified RC aircraft was flight tested , and both of the energy harvesting systems proven could be used to support the primary electrical power sources of the RC aircraft . Most importantly , they found that solar panels could supply 14 per cent capacity of a 170 mAh battery .
The piezoelectric elements could provide 70 per cent capacity of a 4.6mJ capacitor , such a remarkable division of green power generation via this approach . Since then , researches on the evaluation of piezoelectric energy harvesting potential from lifting structures , i . e ., aircraft wing , have been increasing significantly .
On top of that , an investigation on the piezoaeroelastic energy harvesting concerning the augmentation on the aircraft performance was conducted by Akbar & Curiel-Sosa , researchers from The University of Sheffield , United Kingdom as described in their published article “ Implementation of multiphase piezoelectric composites energy harvester on aircraft wingbox structure with fuel saving evaluation ” in 2018 .
Throughout the analysis , various multiphase piezoelectric-based composites were applied to a typical jet aircraft wingbox with a 14.5 m half span . An innovative approach to examine the trade-off connecting the aircraft weight , the fuel-saving and the energy harvester was developed in their research .
For instance , the results expressed that the equivalent fuel saved from the power produced by the wingbox is more than adequate for a 1 h Auxiliary Power Unit ( APU ) operation to be applied for the designed piezoelectric-wing planform .
Even though this research example is just one of the theoretical assumptions throughout a simulation programme ,
|
the proposed model would be a precious benchmark to generate the required amount of electrical energy and promote the green eco-friendly flight .
Moreover , gust loads on aircraft may induce harmful impacts such as increased aerodynamic and structural loads and lead to higher structural deformation and diminished productive flight performance . Conventionally , a plane is designed to react with the gust loads at the desired airspeed .
The main reason for this idea is to allow the feasibility of confronting clear air turbulence ( CAT ) while in cruising flight , despite during turbulence solely . For instance , aerospace scientists have come out with several gust estimation profiles ; vertical gust , lateral gust and head-on gust , where these gust load profiles will alter based on the conditions of flight ; i . e . altitude density , altitude pressure , etc .
Sample of gust load profile interacts on aircraft body
Toward this aspect , it is identified that once the energy has been transferred , the structure begins to oscillate and later induce structural vibration . The design engineer could authenticate a much robust structure via the prediction through simulation and numerical study to avoid the damage of the frame while maintaining the vibrational motion .
In that thought , a complex energy conversion system is embedded by associating
|
an intelligent structure called piezoelectric inside the base structure , harvesting the energy to achieve the system ’ s robustness .
However , it may require a high cost of research on commercial aircraft in an aerospace application due to its larger size scale to test the piezoelectric capability to harvest the energy through the wind interaction .
On that composition , the ideas of having energy harvester have been widely investigated on the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ( UAVs ) or commonly known as drone since last 10 years . In some means , piezoelectric vibration harvesters and photovoltaic solar labourers have included the aircraft ’ s design to harvest vibration and solar energy through the active method .
The knowledge of vibration via wind interaction and solar energy harvesting using innovative elements is recognised to increase the endurance of UAVs or even for any piloted aircraft without adding an amount of weight .
Most importantly , the crucial aspects in promoting our vision towards the green flight technological approach should be based on the 17 elements in Sustainable Development Goals ( SDG ) developed by the United Nations . — @ green
Dr Nur Azam Abdullah is Assistant Professor at Department of Mechanical Engineering , Kulliyyah of Engineering , International Islamic University Malaysia .
|
The first and only flight test attempt for UAV with the attachment of piezoelectric patch and solar panel for the energy harvesting was conducted by Anton & Inman as presented in their article entitled “ Vibration energy harvesting for unmanned aerial vehicles ” in 2008 . It was through the modification of commercially available remote control ( RC ) aircraft .” |