Study on the Capability of Octocopter Configuration in a Finite Element Analysis Simulation Environment

Authors: Benil Mathew Baby, Leonid Shpanin, Misko Abramiuk

Abstract:

In this paper, a mechanical structure is proposed for generating 100,000 volts on board the drone heavy-lift octocopter UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) and for exploring the possibility of using this structure to transfer the harvested energy wirelessly to nearby UAVs. The feasibility of generating of a large electric field around the UAV structure is investigated theoretically using ANSYS and MATLAB simulation tools. The high-voltage generation mechanism is based on the boost DC-to-DC conversion technique, utilizing a traditional voltage step-up converter and voltage multiplier circuits. The analysis of the modeled octocopter geometry and the corresponding electric field distribution around the vehicle is presented through graphical representation of the simulated parameters. Additionally, the use of traditional carbon fiber material in the proposed octocopter structure and its impact on the generated electric field is carefully considered.

Keywords: High voltage production, energy harvesting, object modeling and control, unmanned aerial vehicle.

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