TY - JFULL AU - Gao Xian-Zhong and Hou Zhong-xi and Guo Zheng and Liu Jian-xia PY - 2012/10/ TI - Characteristics of Maximum Gliding Endurance Path for High-Altitude Solar UAVs T2 - International Journal of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering SP - 1958 EP - 1966 VL - 6 SN - 1307-6892 UR - https://publications.waset.org/pdf/11818 PU - World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology NX - Open Science Index 69, 2012 N2 - Gliding during night without electric power is an efficient method to enhance endurance performance of solar aircrafts. The properties of maximum gliding endurance path are studied in this paper. The problem is formulated as an optimization problem about maximum endurance can be sustained by certain potential energy storage with dynamic equations and aerodynamic parameter constrains. The optimal gliding path is generated based on gauss pseudo-spectral method. In order to analyse relationship between altitude, velocity of solar UAVs and its endurance performance, the lift coefficient in interval of [0.4, 1.2] and flight envelopes between 0~30km are investigated. Results show that broad range of lift coefficient can improve solar aircrafts- long endurance performance, and it is possible for a solar aircraft to achieve the aim of long endurance during whole night just by potential energy storage. ER -