posted on 2014-01-13, 12:50authored bySimon R. Howroyd
This project investigates the implementation of a fuel cell into a small unmanned aerial vehicle. Small model aircraft are used around the world by hobbyists for pleasure and creating home videos. Currently these aircraft are a excellent solution for many commercial applications; land surveying, search and rescue, police surveillance, border control and recently in the news for the Army. However, these aircraft can only fly for a fraction of an hour, and then require a length battery recharge, or for many spare batteries to be carried. A fuel cell offers a far greater endurance than any battery whilst still maintaining low weight. It is anticipated that a fuel cell for the aircraft in this project will last for six to ten hours, and is very quick and easy to refuel, and requires no recharging at all.
History
School
Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering
Department
Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering
Citation
HOWROYD, S.R., Fuel cells in unmanned aircraft. Poster delivered at the Vitae Midlands Hub Research Exhibition, Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry, UK, 12th July 2012.