ExoFly UG Recruitment - April 2021

Electrical Subsystem Screening Assignment

(40 Marks)

Deadline: 14/04/2021, 11:59 pm

Instructions:
1. Please refer to the provided information and links in the assignment to get a better
understanding of the questions.
2. You are free to refer to any other resources online or otherwise. You are, however,
not allowed to consult anybody to solve the questions.
3. Any sort of malpractice will not be tolerated and will lead to the cancellation of
your application to the team.
4. Please do not consider your application to a particular subsystem binding, you
may change subsystems after joining the team if you find your interests align
somewhere else.
Question 1. (5 marks)
A jet aircraft of total mass m is flying with a constant speed v (Figure 1). It consumes air
(for combustion) at the rate of (dm/dt)a = m’a kg/s and exhausts burned gas at the rate of
(dm/dt)g = m′g with a velocity u relative to the aircraft. Fuel is consumed at the constant
rate of (dm/dt)f = m′ƒ.
The total aerodynamic forces acting on the aircraft are the lift L, normal to the direction
of flight, and the drag D, opposite to the direction of flight. Any force due to the static
pressure across the inlet and exhaust surfaces is assumed to be included in D. Write the
equation for the motion of the aircraft and identify the thrust T.
(Treat the air and fuel flows separately for simplicity)

Figure 1

Figure 2
Question 2a. (5 marks)
Suppose we design an unmanned radar-radio controlled aircraft with tilt-rotor propulsion
for reconnaissance purposes (Figure 2). Vertical rise begins with θ = 0 and is followed by
horizontal flight as θ approaches 90°. If the rotors turn at a constant speed N of 360 rev/
min, determine the angular acceleration of rotor A for θ = 30° if is constant at dθ/dt = 0.2
rad/s and the total power required by the motor when θ = 90°. Given there are 3 blades in
each rotor with mass = 1.5 kg/blade and length = 1.5m, and there are 2 rotors. The width
of the blade is negligible in comparison to its length.

Note: The propellor is rotating with constant angular speed (N) but due to tilting of rotor
shaft its direction changes, thus an angular acceleration is produced due to a change in
direction of the angular velocity vector. Search ‘angular acceleration in 3D’.

For getting an idea of tilt-rotor propulsion you can refer to these links:
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNF7d2SbHoM&ab_channel=CleanSky
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ6nCpBLHJE&ab_channel=TheDallasMorn
ingNews

Question 2b. (5 marks)

Suppose now we use fixed rotors in our model but with four propellors (quadcopter
Figure 3). If we want to hover our drone at a fixed height what should be the direction of
rotation for each propellor.
Take the upper right propellor as 1, upper left as 2, lower
left as 3 and lower right as 4. Give the directions
(Clockwise / Anticlockwise) for each propellor and also
state the reason why you have taken such configuration
for hovering?
Give it a thought, should all the propellors rotate in one
direction for maintaining a fixed height?
Will the drone be stable in your configuration?

Figure 3
Question 3. (20 marks)
Now you have to design the body of our flying model. You may use the given materials
for manufacturing different parts of the model: steel, iron, aluminium, magnesium,
composites and plastics. The following info about various properties of the materials are
given below:
You can also search the internet for more info on the properties of the given material if
you feel so.
On the basis of the above tables and charts decide what material will you use for different
parts of the model like:
1) Chassis
2) Battery Holder
3) Motors and Gears box
4) Propellors
5) Suspension springs
Keep the following points in mind while designing the model:
1) The model should be lightweight for lesser power consumption
2) In case of crash damage should be minimized
3) Some delicate components like battery and motors should be well protected so that
they may function even when hit by an obstacle.
4) LiPo battery and motors get heated up but this should not damage the rest of the
body while functioning.
This question has no right or wrong answer. Whatever material you choose for a part,
give a brief (1-2 statements) explanation of why you prefer it. It is possible that you may
choose strength over lightweight or melting point for insulation instead of toughness or a
balance of both. Think!!

Question 4. (5 marks)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using contra-rotating propellers instead of
simple propellors?
Bonus:
What do you think we should use (or how many and at which positions)?
As there are 10 propellors in the model you may choose different ones for different places
and what could be some measures to counter their disadvantages. (The last part is a hot
research topic so you may answer according to your understanding but it won’t be
considered for screening :)

All the Best! In case of any doubts, you can ask on Teams.