A. Zwenig, H. Hong, F. Holzapfel

For enhancing the range and endurance of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), vertical wind shears can be utilized to extract energy from the environment. This technique, known as dynamic soaring, can be observed in large seabirds, e.g. albatrosses. The natural variation of the environment requires a profound understanding of how the wind field parameters like wind direction and wind speed affect the dynamic soaring capability. Therefore, this study illuminates the influence of the initial relative wind direction on the dynamic soaring performance. With the help of direct optimal control methods, the minimum required wind speed is quantified, which is an important criterion for energy extraction performance. The results reveal favorable and unfavorable initial relative wind directions. Furthermore, detailed insights into the sensitivity of the minimum required wind speed and the travel direction with respect to the initial relative wind direction are given. Thereof, operational requirements of potential RPAS performing dynamic soaring can be derived. The results are of guiding value for RPAS operations, offering direct and pertinent information to steer the mission planning.

Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2022, Dresden

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V., Bonn, 2022

Conference Paper

englisch

21,0 x 29,7 cm, 8 Seiten

urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022120211115418037242

10.25967/570157

Dynamic Soaring, Trajectory Optimization, Optimal Control

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Zwenig, A.; Hong, H.; Holzapfel, F. (2022): On the Initial Relative Wind Direction of Dynamic Soaring. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V.. (Text). https://doi.org/10.25967/570157. urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022120211115418037242.

02.12.2022