powertrain analysis & testing service for the UAV industry
-specializing in mini UAVs-
-internal combustion (IC) and electrics-
UAV developers, we have software tools and data to help you select the optimum powertrain for your application. We can also identify an electric equivalent for your IC powertrain.
Details of a small r/c airplane that we designed to evaluate the effectiveness of FlightSolver are provided at our main website, www.specto-measurement.com.
Please contact James Canova (British Columbia, Canada - local time is 
3:38 AM):
Example analysis
Our database of component performance data is compiled from commercially available data except for the propeller data which we measured ourselves.
Performance envelopes for presolved powertrains generated by our proprietary FlightSolver1 software are plotted in the figure below.
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The example here illustrates use of the presolved solutions for selection of an electric powertrain for a small commercially available radio controlled airplane.
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Step 1: A drag curve for a Sig Kadet LT-40 ARF2 with a mass of 3.4[kg] in straight and level flight at sea-level has been drawn on the presolved powertrain envelopes. Since the curve falls within the electric envelope, there may be a suitable electric powertrain that can be identified from the presolved solutions. The powertrain mass comprises 0.714[kg] of the 3.4[kg] total mass. 0.025 [kg] MAS 11 x 8 propeller 0.489 [kg] OS Max 0.46 AX with muffler 0.200 [kg] 8 [fl.oz.] of fuel (sg=0.85) The mass of the powertrain will be important when selecting an electric replacement since a change in mass will shift the drag curve. |
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Step 2: A typical cruise airspeed for the Kadet is 20[m/s]2. This point is identified on the drag curve as point A. For this example we will have a simple objective of finding an electric powertrain with a thrust curve that intersects the drag curve at point A. Where the drag and thrust curves intersect, thrust equals drag and thus the airplane will have a constant airspeed. |
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Step 3: A search of the presolved solution identified a possible configuration. The thrust curve for the selected powertrain is plotted along with the drag curve to the right. The equilibrium airspeed is slightly over the target of 20[m/s]. It is noted that the mass of the selected powertrain is 0.439[kg] as compared to the original powertrain mass of 0.714[kg], ie a decrease of 0.275[kg], or about 8% overall mass reduction. This mass change will shift the drag curve slightly, however not significantly for the purposes of this example, so the original drag curve is shown in the figure to the right. The total electric powertrain mass is 0.439[kg]. 0.025 [kg] APC 14 x 7E propeller 0.181 [kg] AXI 2826/12 0.234 [kg] FP EVO20 2100 LiPo pack |
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Step 4: Click here to download the complete FlightSolver analysis report for the electric powertrain selected in the example. |
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(1)The FlightSolver application is a proprietary in-house software application and is not available for sale.
(2)Wind Tunnel Evaluation of 6 feet Spanned Mini Aerial Vehicle (Kadet),Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, January 2005
FlightSolverAPI with PowertrainView - simulate and view
In addition to our analysis and testing service, we have developed the FlightSolverAPI with PowertrainView for sale. Please go to the catalog page to download this software for free (with some functionality supressed).
Integrate the FlightSolverAPI into your own flight simulation software.
View powertrain performance response using the PowertrainView application supplied with the FlightSolverAPI.
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software format:
inputs:
outputs: common
outputs: IC powertrain
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outputs: electric powertrain
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