Browsing by Author "Kapp, Matthew"

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    Modelling a fuel cell propulsion system for multicopters
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Kapp, Matthew; Smit, W. J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Multirotors are used in many applications - PwC predicts that drones have a potential market value of $127.3 bn. It is expected that if beyond-visual-lineof- sight becomes legalized, current multirotor light time will be insuffcient in these applications, and investment in increasing multirotor light time will increase. The most mature technology to increase multirotor UAV light time is fuel cells. This technology has been proven to increase the light time twoto threefold, compared to LiPo-based multirotors, the current state-of-the-art technology. However, these multirotor systems are more complex to design, and no publicly-available software design tools exist. In order to solve this, a software design tool was developed. The components of a fuel cell multirotor system were modelled. Models were developed in Matlab/SimscapeTM. Experimental data was obtained using either the author's own experiments, data from manufacturers or data found in literature. The experimental data was then used to identify the unknown model constants. The component models are quite accurate, with the error mostly being small in comparison to the effect of varying a parameter. Also, % RMSE values are mostly below 3% and the R2 values are all greater than 0.97. These component models were combined to form a design tool. The usefulness of the design tool was demonstrated by running a preliminary optimization study - the light time was maximized with battery remaining state of charge as a constraint. A theoretical design was obtained with 2.39 hours light time and 38% SOC remaining.