Development of Multi-functional Composite UAV Structures for Urban Operations
Abstract
Approved for Public Release PI: Prof. Fu-Kuo ChangAeronautics and Astronautics Department, Stanford UniversityIntelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) functions are critical for acquiring, processing, and, ultimately, executing military operations. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is accepted for its value in providing enhanced information for ISR functions. The Navy uses UAVs are in situations where manned flight is considered too risky or difficult. UAVs can be used to conduct critical missions to overcome communications shortfalls; look inside buildings to ascertain occupancy and purpose; detect, identify, track, and target objects. However, the battery-powered UAVs instrumentation is often limited due to the weight of the battery. Moreover, UAVs drain the batteries faster, and an aging battery could restrict the flight capabilities, cause maneuverability problems, or increase the risk of collision. The multifunctional energy storage composite (MESC) battery can be designed to replace single-purpose structural members offering improvements in UAVs weight or enhanced capacity for better range performance. The MESC is a scalable, integrable structural battery with built-in sensing technology. The MESC has the ability to carry the mechanical load without hindering the electrical performance of typical Li-ion cell chemistry. Also, using the integrated sensors, the acoustic-ultrasonic wave propagation can be used to reliably predict battery state of charge, state of health, and potential onsets of failure. Therefore, the objective is to develop asystem-level optimized design of a robust multifunctional battery integrated UAV composites wing or fuselage with built-in battery monitoring techniques that can carry mechanical loads, safely store electrical energy, absorb impact energy, and lead to significantweight savings. By integrating multiple subsystems together into one multifunctional system, the overall efficiency of the battery system is increased while simultaneously decreasing synal energy storage composites (MESC) can reduce UAV weight by up to 40% compared to state-of-the-art technology while maintaining the desired performance. Lower weight and higher energy density mean longer range: up to 40%. The MESC embeds Li-ion battery materials into high-strength structural composite materials. MESC constitutes a unique integration technique for embedding Li-ion battery materials in structural carbon-fiber-reinforced-polymers (CFRP), successfully demonstrating cycle-life performance tantamount to commercial batteries. Through-thickness polymer rivets extend through the perforations in the electrode materials interlocking the electrode layers and anchoring rigidly onto the stiff CFRP faceplates. The integration of sensors network on MESC will provide real-time, in-situ State of Health (SoH) and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) estimation as well as adaptive prognosis of end of life (EoL)health management for optimal pack-/fleet-wide controls and second life. This work is valuable to the Department of the Navy because it will: (a) reduce UAV weight by up to 40% compared to existing platforms. Weight reductions, in turn, will increase UAV range and payload (b) incorporate sensors into the UAV structures for structural health monitoring (SHM) and battery health monitoring (BHM). Real-time battery data will provide operators with the data necessary to mitigate UAV safety concerns. This technology enables urban mobility in vertical, subterranean, or ground level environments. Also, the technology will enable secure flight, noninterrupt communications in a highly dense population.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112100
Entities
People
- Fu-Kuo Chang
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Stanford University
- United States Navy