Launchable rotary wing UAV designs and launch mechanism designs for rotary wing UAV

1. Introduction

Rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles play an important role in emergency response and defense, where situational awareness is often required [1]. Because it takes a long time for rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicles to take off, which will provide information for firefighters responding to fires, valuable information about the progress and destruction of the fire may be reached after it is too late. It takes time for rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicles to take off from the ground and reach cruising speed and that cause loss of time in critical areas. If the rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicle can be launched rapidly and the mission altitude is reached quickly, the fire can be intervened more quickly.

Some consumer rotary-wing UAV can be folded to take up a small volume of arms, but opening the arms is manual and not designed to be compatible with launch mechanisms. e.g. DJI’s Mavic series [2], Parrot’s Anafi series [3] and Autel’s Evo series [4] are among the most popular UAV companies. The products of all three companies can be folded horizontally by hand to fit in a small volume. GDU's O2 Plus product is also foldable by hand, but it can be folded by sliding the arms [5]. Another example is the UAV in the quadcopter configuration with an egg-shaped Power Egg from Power Vision company shown in Fig. 1. Its arms can be folded by hand [6].

Fig. 1The product named power egg of power vision company [6]

LeveTop’s rotary-wing UAV looks like a small cylinder when folded, and its arms are foldable by hand. The rotary-wing UAV in Fig. 2 is in quadcopter configuration with four-motor [7].

The rotary-wing UAV in Fig. 3, named Sprite, developed by Ascent Aerosystems, has two coaxial motors and resembles a cylinder [8].

Fig. 2Product of LeveTop company [7]

Fig. 3Ascent Aerosystems product called Sprite [8]

It is mentioned that traditional quadcopter designs do not have the ability to change their configuration to meet the need to adapt to the requirements of the mission. In order to be fully applicable to various types of missions; it is emphasized that it is vital that the unmanned aerial vehicle be portable and have a low volume. It is mentioned that morphological quadcopters can fold and unfold their arms autonomously, as they have self-arm management. Tuna et al. [9] presented a self-folding and self-deployable autonomous quadcopter called Folly. In its self-arm management mechanism design, it features a crank connecting rod mechanism driven by a single servo motor, allowing the Folly to automatically fold and unfold its arms within a short period of time. It takes 600 ms for the UAV shown in Fig. 4 to go from folded to open.

The quadcopter mentioned by Bucki and Mueller [10] has spring hinges that allow the arms to fold down. A reduction of approximately 50 % was achieved in the folded volume of the UAV in Fig. 5.

Fig. 4Foldable drone named Folly [9]

Fig. 5Shape-shifting quadcopter [10]

Falanga et al. [11] mentioned a rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicle that changes its shape to adapt to the environment. Changing the morphology of the UAV during flight has increased the complexity of the platform and reduced its controllability.

Fig. 6Morphology change of UAV [11]

Gao et al. [12] mentioned a projectile-shaped vehicle that can both fly in the air and move underwater, with no launch mechanism.

Devlin et al. [13] mentioned a rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicle with a servo motor in each arm. Thanks to this servo motor, each BLDC motor can rotate in an axis perpendicular to the arm.

Fig. 7UAV with amphibious features [12]

Fig. 8UAV with an elbow-like rotating motor [13]

These rotary-wing UAVs are not designed for a launch system and therefore cannot be launched.

For example, Spear UAV's solutions are based on encapsulated rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. This company works to manage the chaotic battlefield by producing UAVs that are instantly available and accessible for the end user. Ninox 40 and Ninox 66 products are shown in Fig. 9 [14]. There is no information about the arm opening mechanisms of the products.

Fig. 9Ninox 40 and Ninox 66, products of Spear UAV company [14]

Defendtex Company produces unmanned aerial vehicle that can be launched from a 40 mm grenade launcher. Drone40 has a weight of 190 grams and a range of 20 km [15].

Gnemmi and Changey [16] introduced a hybrid system with a weight of approximately one kg for a very fast observation mission with the GLMAV unmanned aerial vehicle. The GLMAV in a projectile configuration, weighing less than 10 kg, is launched through a portable special tube in Figure Fig. 11, and when it reaches the targeted area (at 100 m altitude and over 500 m range), it turns on the engine system and propellers.

Fig. 10Defendtex company’s DRONE40 product [15]

Fig. 11Bullet drone [16]

Gnemmi et al. [17] described how a packaged micro-UAV (MAV) like a projectile in Fig. 12 is launched using the energy provided by a portable launch weapon.

Fig. 12Unmanned aerial vehicle that can be launched from a gun [17]

There are several products for military applications for fixed-wing UAV. For example, Coyote in Fig. 13 developed by Raytheon is a fixed-wing UAV [18].

Fig. 13Raytheon’s Coyote product [18]

Developed by the UVision Company, the Hero 30 ISR has a weight of three kg. The system is launched by placing it in a tin can in Fig. 14 [19].

Fig. 14UVision Company’s Hero-30 product [19]

The “Switchblade” developed by AeroVironment is the fixed-wing UAV in Fig. 15 [20].

Developed by OTO Melara, the Horus can be launched from the 120 mm tank barrel in Fig. 16 or from a customized launch system [21].

Fig. 15AeroVironment’s Switchblade product [20]

Fig. 16Horus product of OTO Melara company [21]

2. Material and methods

Since the popular products sold in the market do not have a self-folding / unfolding feature and there is no launch mechanism, it was necessary to design and prototype a new unmanned aerial vehicle. It was necessary to design a rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle launch mechanism and a rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle with an opening mechanism that could open the arms and produce thrust to continue flying after launch. During launch, the rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle changes its shape from an aerodynamic projectile to a multi-rotor. The proposed rotary-wing UAV design is lightweight, aerodynamic, and has multiple moving parts that must fit into a special small-diameter launch barrel.

First, the mechanisms were investigated and shaped. Production with FDM type 3D printing technology was preferred to create a compact, robust and independent platform by taking advantage of the ability to design and produce complex geometries with a short time and low cost budget. The structural design of the prototype was made in a printable way on a 3D printer. The launchable rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicle designed for this study and its launch mechanism are given in Fig. 17.

Fig. 17Proposed launchable rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicle and launch mechanism

3. Results

In this section, information is given about the results obtained, the problems encountered and the improvements that can be made. In addition, it has been compared with similar researches in the country and abroad mentioned in the literature review.

Kuperman [22], the inventor of the patent number WO2020144690A1, mentioned the capsule that enables encapsulation of the rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicle. It is mentioned that there is a controller and an actuator to release the capsule. When the conditions are suitable for the UAV to exit the capsule, the UAV is released by the actuator. Since the weight of the capsule and the actuators on it will be added for the launch, the amount of energy required for the launch and also the cost will increase. However, by adjusting the opening of the capsule at the right time, the wind resistance acting by the capsule will be minimal until the UAV reaches the desired altitude.

Guruge et al. [23] presented a Bluetooth integrated catapult launcher system for fixed-wing UAVs in Fig. 18. In the launcher, they used the spring as the energy source and the electromagnetic release system to release the spring. It is a system produced entirely for fixed-wing UAVs. It provides the horizontal speed and thus the lifting force that fixed-wing UAVs need to gain altitude. The system is big. Rotary-wing UAVs need to gain altitude by launching vertically, not horizontally.

Fig. 18Spring catapult launcher system (for fixed wing UAVs) [23]

Patterson and Arena [24] stated that launching catapults for fixed-wing UAVs are commercially available, but they can be very expensive. They also mention that some special UAVs need special launch catapults and different launch designs. These are spring systems, pneumatic systems as in Fig. 19, or belt-pulley systems.

Fig. 19Pneumatic catapult launcher system (For Fixed Wing UAVs) [24]

Foster et al. [25] introduced a detachable quadcopter from the launched rocket. After the rocket reaches its peak, it is aimed that the quadcopter will leave and return to the take-off point. They mentioned that torsion springs are used as in Fig. 20 to open the arms of the quadcopter.

Fig. 20Torsion spring arm opening mechanism [25]

Down et al. [26] introduced the systems they developed to capture and immobilize a second object in their patent. It is the enemy UAVs that are mentioned as the second object to be captured. The launcher works with high pressure of the gun. In order to catch the target, the net and parachute are thrown from the gun in the capsule. When the capsule arrives at the destination, the capsule leaves the net and parachute and arrives at the destination. Thanks to the capsule, the ammunition is provided at the right time, while the weight and cost of the capsule is a disadvantage.

Lee et al. [27] developed a new method to extend the flight time of unmanned aerial vehicles with limited flight time due to the battery. In the proposed method, a carrier foldable rotary-wing UAV is launched with a rocket. When the rocket reaches a certain altitude, the rotary-wing UAV leaves the rocket. In this way, the energy consumed to rise to flight altitude is reduced. The weight of the rocket is 35 kg, the weight of the UAV is 0.61 kg, and the weight of the container that allows to drop the UAV is 0.36 kg. It can be a method for UAVs that will fly at very high altitudes, but rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicles generally do not need to go higher than 1000 m above ground level. For example, if the rotary-wing UAV carries the camera payload and is above 1000 m altitude, it needs to carry a very advanced camera with high electro-optical zoom capability.

Fig. 21Pressure operated net gun [26]

Fig. 22Rotary wing UAV detachable from rocket [27]

Pastor et al. [28] made a conceptual presentation of the rotary-wing UAV, which can switch from a ballistic launch configuration to a fully controllable flight configuration after launch. A three-inch diameter barrel was used in the study. The launch mechanism is not specific to the system and a pneumatic baseball shooting machine is used. The body, nose and arms of the UAV in Fig. 23 were produced with a 3D printer.

Fig. 23Ballistic rotary-wing UAV [28]

The weight of the UAV is 530 grams and its launch speed is 15 m/s. Each arm has a hinge and torsion spring. By using fishing line, it is ensured that the arm remains closed until the desired moment. With the current flowing over the nichrome wire, the release mechanism is triggered and the fishing line melts and opens the propulsion system. The biggest disadvantage of using nichrome wire and line is that the line and nichrome wire need to be replaced after each flight.

Henderson et al. [29] investigated bio-inspired design strategies to guide the structural design of a 3D-printable, foldable and ballistically deployable multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform. UAV analysis, including FEA stress simulations, aerodynamic tests, and mechanical prototypes, to assess feasibility is shown in Fig. 24. Thanks to the solenoid motor in the center of the platform, the bar that keeps the arms closed is released and the arms are opened by springing. Elastic bands provided the opening of the arms. The solenoid motor is responsible for opening the six arms when free fall is detected via the flight software. The presence of the solenoid motor will increase the weight of the UAV, so it has the effect of reducing the flight time of the UAV. It was stated that many methods could be used for launching, from hand throwing to mortar-style barrels, and it was mentioned that the work on the launch mechanism continues and the barrel will be 8 inches.

Fig. 24Bio-inspired Rotary-Wing UAV [29]

Bouman et al. [30] present the SQUID (Streamlined Quick Unfolding Investigation Drone) shown in Fig. 25 in their article where they mention about rotary-wing UAV that can launch ballistically and transform into six rotor rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicle.

Fig. 25SQUID Rotary-Wing UAV [30]

The weight of the UAV is 3.3 kg and its muzzle velocity is 12 m/s. High pressure carbon dioxide gas, known as T-shirt ball, was used as the launch mechanism. The major disadvantage of pneumatic systems is that gas must be filled before each launch. After the UAV comes out of the launch tube, the thrust arms are opened immediately to the hinges and torsion springs.

4. Conclusion

Rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles carry different types of payloads according to their mission. E.g. if the advanced imaging unit carries the payload, it performs the reconnaissance surveillance task, if it carries the payload, it performs the cargo transport task, if the repeater relay carries the payload, and it performs the communication task.

In this study, rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicles of the launch mechanism were evaluated.

It is thought that a rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicle launch mechanism and a rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicle with an opening mechanism that can open the thrust arms and continue flying after launch can be a solution to this waste of time. Launchable rotary-wing drones will play an important role in emergency response and defense, where situational awareness is often required.