Structural Parameter Optimization of the Vector Bracket in a Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
The functionality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in agricultural applications was improved by optimizing the parameters of the vector bracket in a vertical takeoff and landing UAV to maximize thrust and lift-to-drag ratio. First, the results of computational fluid dynamics simulations were compa...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Aerospace |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/6/487 |
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| author | Wenshuai Liu Wenyong Quan Junli Wang Xiaomin Yao Qingzheng Liu Qiang Liu Yuxiang Tian |
| author_facet | Wenshuai Liu Wenyong Quan Junli Wang Xiaomin Yao Qingzheng Liu Qiang Liu Yuxiang Tian |
| author_sort | Wenshuai Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The functionality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in agricultural applications was improved by optimizing the parameters of the vector bracket in a vertical takeoff and landing UAV to maximize thrust and lift-to-drag ratio. First, the results of computational fluid dynamics simulations were compared with wind tunnel data to ensure an accurate model of the considered UAV, indicating a thrust coefficient error of less than 3% and a UAV lift-to-drag ratio error of less than 8%. Next, this model was applied to simulate the propeller thrust and UAV lift-to-drag ratio for 25 sample points selected using a central composite experimental design by varying the four structural parameters of the vector bracket. A kriging algorithm was subsequently applied to construct response surface models based on the results. Finally, a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm was employed to determine the optimal parameter values maximizing the two coefficients. The optimal structural parameters for the UAV vector bracket were determined to comprise a vector bracket height of 51 mm, fixed bracket length of 168 mm, fixed bracket width of 69 mm, and ball socket outer diameter of 31 mm. These values provided a 19% larger propeller thrust coefficient than those of the original UAV. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cb8052de353947c1b8b00fd8a07eaf64 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2226-4310 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerospace |
| spelling | doaj-art-cb8052de353947c1b8b00fd8a07eaf642025-08-20T03:26:20ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102025-05-0112648710.3390/aerospace12060487Structural Parameter Optimization of the Vector Bracket in a Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aerial VehicleWenshuai Liu0Wenyong Quan1Junli Wang2Xiaomin Yao3Qingzheng Liu4Qiang Liu5Yuxiang Tian6School of Mechanical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong 723001, ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong 723001, ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong 723001, ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong 723001, ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong 723001, ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong 723001, ChinaSchool of Mechanics, Civil Engineering and Architecture, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710129, ChinaThe functionality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in agricultural applications was improved by optimizing the parameters of the vector bracket in a vertical takeoff and landing UAV to maximize thrust and lift-to-drag ratio. First, the results of computational fluid dynamics simulations were compared with wind tunnel data to ensure an accurate model of the considered UAV, indicating a thrust coefficient error of less than 3% and a UAV lift-to-drag ratio error of less than 8%. Next, this model was applied to simulate the propeller thrust and UAV lift-to-drag ratio for 25 sample points selected using a central composite experimental design by varying the four structural parameters of the vector bracket. A kriging algorithm was subsequently applied to construct response surface models based on the results. Finally, a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm was employed to determine the optimal parameter values maximizing the two coefficients. The optimal structural parameters for the UAV vector bracket were determined to comprise a vector bracket height of 51 mm, fixed bracket length of 168 mm, fixed bracket width of 69 mm, and ball socket outer diameter of 31 mm. These values provided a 19% larger propeller thrust coefficient than those of the original UAV.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/6/487vertical takeoff and landingstructural optimizationmulti-objective genetic algorithmresponse surface model |
| spellingShingle | Wenshuai Liu Wenyong Quan Junli Wang Xiaomin Yao Qingzheng Liu Qiang Liu Yuxiang Tian Structural Parameter Optimization of the Vector Bracket in a Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Aerospace vertical takeoff and landing structural optimization multi-objective genetic algorithm response surface model |
| title | Structural Parameter Optimization of the Vector Bracket in a Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle |
| title_full | Structural Parameter Optimization of the Vector Bracket in a Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle |
| title_fullStr | Structural Parameter Optimization of the Vector Bracket in a Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle |
| title_full_unstemmed | Structural Parameter Optimization of the Vector Bracket in a Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle |
| title_short | Structural Parameter Optimization of the Vector Bracket in a Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle |
| title_sort | structural parameter optimization of the vector bracket in a vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle |
| topic | vertical takeoff and landing structural optimization multi-objective genetic algorithm response surface model |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/6/487 |
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