The PSU Zephyrus was developed to compete in the Kremer's prize sport competition. The basic mission goal is to traverse an equilateral triangle with sides of 500 meters once in each direction in seven minutes. The competition specifies a minimum average airspeed of 5.0 m/s during the flight. In addition, for a flight to be considered official, the airspeed cannot drop below 5.0 m/s for a period of more than 20 seconds. The aircraft is also being developed and constructed as a fulfillment of the course requirements of Penn State's AERSP 404H course.[1]
Designedit
Fuselageedit
The fuselage was sized based a dimension range of a 5’10”(1.78 m) pilot and the assumption that the pilot could output the necessary power-to-weight ratio to fly the aircraft will be no greater than 1.78 m. Constraints include minimum widths for pilot comfort and desired center of gravity of the aircraft. The shape of the pod was designed to be a low-drag body that will not generate lift regardless of angle of attack. The length of the shape was reduced to allow for aircraft maneuverability in crosswind. The internal structural members are designed to firmly hold the seat configuration in place, yet still provide a maximum field of vision for the pilot. Structural members attach to the main boom at a hard-point located behind the trailing edge of the wing.
Propelleredit
To successfully complete the challenge, it was determined that the propeller would need to produce 27.5 N of thrust when cruising at 11.5 m/s and spinning at 135 rpm. To meet these requirements, the propeller design underwent many alterations, with the final design broken into two components.
Wingedit
Starting from a parent aircraft approach, primarily using the Musculair 1 and 2, but also including the Monarch B, MIT Daedalus, and Velair models, a first iteration choice for an airfoil was made. A modified version of the FX-76MP, as used for the Musculair 2 was chosen. Taking characteristics from this airfoil, using an initial weight buildup, the wing planform size was determined. Then, assuming a take-off weight of 81 kg (27 kg empty weight), sea-level air density, and using a CL at cruise of 0.8.
Control Surfacesedit
Ailerons were designed as a piano hinge attached near the upper surface, so the upper surface incorporates the leading edge radius, so that the upper surface maintains smooth flow. This design maximizes weight efficiency and construction ease.
^"Student sailplane makes first flight, class prepares for competition | Penn State University".
"Student sailplane makes first flight, class prepares for competition", Penn State News, May 3rd, 2011.
January 01, 1970
zephyrus, human, powered, aircraft, being, constructed, penn, state, aersp, 404h, team, composite, material, single, seat, single, propeller, high, wing, airplane, zephyrus, designed, compete, kremer, prize, sport, competition, isometric, concept, view, aircra. The PSU Zephyrus is a human powered aircraft being constructed by the Penn State AERSP 404H team It is a composite material single seat single propeller high wing airplane The Zephyrus is designed to compete in the Kremer prize sport competition PSU Zephyrus An isometric concept view of the aircraft Role Human powered aircraft Manufacturer Penn State Number built 0 1 in progress Developed from Musculair II Contents 1 Development 2 Design 2 1 Fuselage 2 2 Propeller 2 3 Wing 2 4 Control Surfaces 3 Specifications 4 See also 5 ReferencesDevelopment editThe PSU Zephyrus was developed to compete in the Kremer s prize sport competition The basic mission goal is to traverse an equilateral triangle with sides of 500 meters once in each direction in seven minutes The competition specifies a minimum average airspeed of 5 0 m s during the flight In addition for a flight to be considered official the airspeed cannot drop below 5 0 m s for a period of more than 20 seconds The aircraft is also being developed and constructed as a fulfillment of the course requirements of Penn State s AERSP 404H course 1 Design editFuselage edit The fuselage was sized based a dimension range of a 5 10 1 78 m pilot and the assumption that the pilot could output the necessary power to weight ratio to fly the aircraft will be no greater than 1 78 m Constraints include minimum widths for pilot comfort and desired center of gravity of the aircraft The shape of the pod was designed to be a low drag body that will not generate lift regardless of angle of attack The length of the shape was reduced to allow for aircraft maneuverability in crosswind The internal structural members are designed to firmly hold the seat configuration in place yet still provide a maximum field of vision for the pilot Structural members attach to the main boom at a hard point located behind the trailing edge of the wing Propeller edit To successfully complete the challenge it was determined that the propeller would need to produce 27 5 N of thrust when cruising at 11 5 m s and spinning at 135 rpm To meet these requirements the propeller design underwent many alterations with the final design broken into two components Wing edit Starting from a parent aircraft approach primarily using the Musculair 1 and 2 but also including the Monarch B MIT Daedalus and Velair models a first iteration choice for an airfoil was made A modified version of the FX 76MP as used for the Musculair 2 was chosen Taking characteristics from this airfoil using an initial weight buildup the wing planform size was determined Then assuming a take off weight of 81 kg 27 kg empty weight sea level air density and using a CL at cruise of 0 8 Control Surfaces edit Ailerons were designed as a piano hinge attached near the upper surface so the upper surface incorporates the leading edge radius so that the upper surface maintains smooth flow This design maximizes weight efficiency and construction ease Specifications editGeneral characteristics Crew 1 Length 13 ft 1 in 4 0 m Wingspan 74 ft 0 in 17 5 m Height 9 ft 4 in 3 0 m Empty weight 56 6 lb 25 7 kg Max takeoff weight 206 lb 93 4 kg Powerplant 1 Tractor propeller Performance Cruise speed 27 9 mph 12 5 km h 24 2 kn See also editRelated development Kremer prize Human powered aircraft Aircraft of comparable role configuration and era MIT Daedalus Gossamer Albatross Gossamer CondorReferences edit Student sailplane makes first flight class prepares for competition Penn State University Student sailplane makes first flight class prepares for competition Penn State News May 3rd 2011 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title PSU Zephyrus amp oldid 1187795270, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
