Unmanned Systems Technology 013 | AutonomouStuff Lincoln MKZ | AI systems | Unmanned Underwater Vehicles | Cosworth AG2 UAV twin | AceCore Neo | Maintenance | IDEX 2017 Show report

64 Digest | AceCore Neo Of course it’s nowhere near the natural frequencies of the carbon itself because that’s very stiff, but it enables us to gain control over the airframe’s vibration frequencies,” he says. “We do not claim to completely understand these frequencies, but we have a pretty clear idea of what we need to do to dampen the gimbal to remove most of the vibrations.” Damping is provided by a passive elastomeric material, a simple silicone rubber solution that is easy and convenient for use in most situations as well as being very light. Internal aerodynamics are also important because the electric motors create an airflow that enters underneath the centre of the airframe and exits at the tips of the arms, where it joins the rotor downwash. This flow is used to cool the electronics and the motors, with filters in the intake to keep out dust and other contaminants. The arms support a total of eight Kontronik/AceCore brushless dc motors, each of which drives a 45.72 cm twin- bladed carbon fibre propeller. The motors are mounted upside down to help protect them from rain, and the cooling airflow also serves to push the water and any other contaminants down and away. The Kontronik motors are based on standard items from the German company’s catalogue, but fine-tuned for the Neo. Each one can produce a maximum of 1200 W for short periods or up to 900 W continuously. The total installed power is much greater than the Neo needs to lift and carry its payload, which has benefits in terms of safety through redundancy. The UAV will continue to fly safely with its maximum payload even if two of its motors fail – so long as they are on opposite sides of the aircraft, Groenendaal says. “Of course though, we always advise operators to land immediately if one motor fails,” he adds. The excess of power also brings speed. With the UAV tilted at an angle of inclination away from the vertical, its thrust vector will accelerate it in the direction it is leaning while maintaining its altitude. “If you have a lot of power to spare you can have a lot of thrust in forward flight,” Groenendaal says. “That is why we have a lot of speed available, and it also allows the Neo to fly in very rough weather.” Each motor comes with its own April/May 2017 | Unmanned Systems Technology Mounting the motors upside down helps keep rain and so on out of the motors and the other internal electrical components If you have a lot of power to spare you can have a lot of thrust in forward flight. That allows the Neo to fly in very rough weather