Lighter Than Air UAV
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom C/D
Start Date
15-5-2014
End Date
15-5-2014
Keywords
UAV, Blimp, 3D Prototype
Abstract
Unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) are less expensive and safer to operate than traditional aircraft. A need has been demonstrated for a UAV that is lighter than air, capable of precision maneuvers, and able to carry a payload. Lighter than air UAVs are safer to operate than their heavier than air counterparts because if there is a sudden failure of their electronic or radio system, they will not fall out of the sky. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has put forth this project as part of a Student Design Challenge. This project is being approached as a team. The members of this team include Patrick Kinney and the creator of this document, Joe Sedy. Joe Sedy is responsible for the design, analyses, and construction of the gondola and its mechanical subcomponents. It was analyzed and designed at CWU. The analysis and optimization of the gondola were made possible by the skills learned in several of the engineering classes in the MET program. SolidWorks 3D modeling software was used to create the virtual models and drawings of the gondola and its subcomponents. The gondola was constructed using the Dimension U-Print 3D printer and various other tools available to students in Hogue. Finite Element Methods will be used to test the strength predictions made before a physical test is performed. The UAV created was able to complete the test course in 5 minutes and 40 seconds while carrying 29 times the minimum payload.
Recommended Citation
Sedy, Joe, "Lighter Than Air UAV" (2014). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 142.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2014/posters/142
Poster Number
24
Additional Mentoring Department
Engineering Technologies, Safety, and Construction
Lighter Than Air UAV
SURC Ballroom C/D
Unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) are less expensive and safer to operate than traditional aircraft. A need has been demonstrated for a UAV that is lighter than air, capable of precision maneuvers, and able to carry a payload. Lighter than air UAVs are safer to operate than their heavier than air counterparts because if there is a sudden failure of their electronic or radio system, they will not fall out of the sky. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has put forth this project as part of a Student Design Challenge. This project is being approached as a team. The members of this team include Patrick Kinney and the creator of this document, Joe Sedy. Joe Sedy is responsible for the design, analyses, and construction of the gondola and its mechanical subcomponents. It was analyzed and designed at CWU. The analysis and optimization of the gondola were made possible by the skills learned in several of the engineering classes in the MET program. SolidWorks 3D modeling software was used to create the virtual models and drawings of the gondola and its subcomponents. The gondola was constructed using the Dimension U-Print 3D printer and various other tools available to students in Hogue. Finite Element Methods will be used to test the strength predictions made before a physical test is performed. The UAV created was able to complete the test course in 5 minutes and 40 seconds while carrying 29 times the minimum payload.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Pringle, Charles