We were given the assignment to make a drone more silent. Various propellers designs were made during the period to test the impact of certain features on the produced sound. We also looked inside the drone, to build matching software and design that best fits our drone.
Project description
For the design of the propellers, we first conducted research, which led us to investigate owls because they are known for flying very quietly. We also explored how vehicles achieve noise reduction, as it was a requirement from the minor. The findings from these studies were incorporated into the design of new propellers.
The propellers are designed in SolidWorks and then 3D printed using an SLA (Stereolithography) 3D printer (Elegoo Mars 2 Pro). SLA parts have the highest resolution and accuracy, the sharpest details, and the smoothest surface finishes of all 3D printing technologies.
To validate the developed concepts, a rigorous testing methodology was devised and implemented. The testing method focuses on recording the noise which is generated by the various components during ‘standard’ flight procedures, the specific action being simulated was keeping the drone in the air mid-flight. In preparation for the testing phase, adjustments were made to the drone’s flight control program, enabling direct access to individual motor throttle controls. This modification facilitated the isolation and testing of a single component (motor/propeller) rather than all four simultaneously.
Project results
After testing the different propellers, it was determined that some of them are more silent than the original ones. Furthermore, the innovative variations surpassed mere replication, involving a thoughtful combination of distinct wing profiles. This synthesis enabled us to harness the strengths of each profile, yielding a propeller design demonstrating substantial noise reduction potential. The success of this biomimetic approach underscores its intricate yet impactful role in propeller design, showcasing its potential to revolutionize noise-conscious drone technology. Based on the results of the project, we gave valuable recommendations to our client BSS.
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Acknowledgement
The project team (five students from different technical educations) would like to thank Fontys Engineering and BSS for their technical support.