The reciprocating chemical muscle (RCM) is a mechanism that takes advantage of the superior energy density of chemical reactions. It is a regenerative device that converts chemical energy into motion through a direct noncombustive chemical reaction.
RCM is capable of generating autonomic wing beating from a chemical energy source. It can also be used to provide a small amount of electricity to the onboard control systems. It further helps in differential lift enhancement on the wings to achieve roll, pitch, and hence, steered flight. The RCM technique is particularly useful in the manufacturing of insect-like micro air vehicles. The first generation of RCMs was large and had a reciprocating frequency around 10 Hz. The later generations[1] developed were very much smaller and lighter. Also, the reciprocating frequency of this generation RCM was as high as 60 Hz. The reciprocating chemical muscle was invented by Prof. Robert C. Michelson of the Georgia Tech Research Institute and implemented up through its fourth generation by Nino Amarena of ETS Laboratories.
Benefitsedit
Particular benefits of the RCM are:
It requires no ignition source (thereby allowing it to work in explosive atmospheres).
It is independent of external oxidant (thereby allowing it to operate under water or in oxygen-free environments such as the lower atmosphere of the planet Mars).
It thermoelectrically generates electrical energy from its own exothermic metabolism.
The reciprocating chemical muscle uses various monopropellants in the presence of specific catalysts to create gas from a liquid without combustion.[3] This gas is used to drive reciprocating opposing cylinders (in the fourth-generation device) to produce sufficient motion (throw) with sufficient force and frequency to allow flapping-wing flight. As of 2004, the RCM had been demonstrated in the Georgia Tech Research Institute laboratory to achieve sufficient throw, force, and frequency for operation of a 50-gram entomopter while using high concentration (> 90%) hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a proprietary catalyst developed by ETS Laboratories.[4]
Specific usesedit
The reciprocating chemical muscle was developed as a drive mechanism for the flapping wings of the entomopter. The RCM reuses energy many times before releasing it into its surroundings.[5] First, it converts mainly heat energy into flapping-wing motion in the entomopter. Then, heat is scavenged for thermoelectric generation in support of ancillary systems. Waste gas from the chemical decomposition of the fuel is then used to create a frequency modulated continuous wave acoustic ranging signal that is Doppler insensitive (used for obstacle avoidance). Waste gas is then passed through an ejector to entrain external atmospheric gases to increase mass flow and decrease waste gas temperature so that lower-temperature components can be used downstream. Some waste gas is diverted into gas bearings for rotational and linear moving components. Finally, remaining waste gas is vectored into the wings where it is used for circulation-controlled lift augmentation (Coanda effect). Any remaining gas can be used for vectored thrust, but if the gas budgets are correctly designed, there should be no extra gas beyond the circulation control points. The features of the RCM are tailored to the entomopter to conserve energy.[2]
Patentsedit
U.S. Patent No. 6,446,909, September 10, 2002, “Reciprocating Chemical Muscle (RCM) and Method for Using Same”
^ abMichelson, R.C., Novel Approaches to Miniature Flight Platforms, Proceedings of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Vol. 218 Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering, Special Issue Paper 2004, pp. 363–373 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1243/0954410042794911
^Colozza, A., Michelson, R.C., et al., Planetary Exploration Using Biomimetics – An Entomopter for Flight on Mars, Phase II Final Report (see chapter on fuels), NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts Project NAS5-98051, October 2002. abstract
^Michelson, R.C., Naqvi, M.A., Extraterrestrial Flight (Entomopter-based Mars Surveyor), von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics RTO/AVT Lecture Series on Low Reynolds Number Aerodynamics on Aircraft Including Applications in Emerging UAV Technology, Brussels Belgium, 24–28 November 2003
^Michelson, R.C., 'Neurotechnology for Biomimetic Robots,ISBN0-262-01193-X, The MIT Press, September 2002, pp. 481 – 509, (chapter author)
External linksedit
Robert C. Michelson: Entomopter Project
January 01, 1970
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The reciprocating chemical muscle RCM is a mechanism that takes advantage of the superior energy density of chemical reactions It is a regenerative device that converts chemical energy into motion through a direct noncombustive chemical reaction Contents 1 Function 2 Benefits 3 Mechanism 4 Specific uses 5 Patents 6 References 7 External linksFunction editRCM is capable of generating autonomic wing beating from a chemical energy source It can also be used to provide a small amount of electricity to the onboard control systems It further helps in differential lift enhancement on the wings to achieve roll pitch and hence steered flight The RCM technique is particularly useful in the manufacturing of insect like micro air vehicles The first generation of RCMs was large and had a reciprocating frequency around 10 Hz The later generations 1 developed were very much smaller and lighter Also the reciprocating frequency of this generation RCM was as high as 60 Hz The reciprocating chemical muscle was invented by Prof Robert C Michelson of the Georgia Tech Research Institute and implemented up through its fourth generation by Nino Amarena of ETS Laboratories Benefits editParticular benefits of the RCM are It requires no ignition source thereby allowing it to work in explosive atmospheres It is independent of external oxidant thereby allowing it to operate under water or in oxygen free environments such as the lower atmosphere of the planet Mars It thermoelectrically generates electrical energy from its own exothermic metabolism It converts chemical potential energy directly into kinetic energy with greater energy density than batteries 2 Mechanism editThe reciprocating chemical muscle uses various monopropellants in the presence of specific catalysts to create gas from a liquid without combustion 3 This gas is used to drive reciprocating opposing cylinders in the fourth generation device to produce sufficient motion throw with sufficient force and frequency to allow flapping wing flight As of 2004 the RCM had been demonstrated in the Georgia Tech Research Institute laboratory to achieve sufficient throw force and frequency for operation of a 50 gram entomopter while using high concentration gt 90 hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a proprietary catalyst developed by ETS Laboratories 4 Specific uses editThe reciprocating chemical muscle was developed as a drive mechanism for the flapping wings of the entomopter The RCM reuses energy many times before releasing it into its surroundings 5 First it converts mainly heat energy into flapping wing motion in the entomopter Then heat is scavenged for thermoelectric generation in support of ancillary systems Waste gas from the chemical decomposition of the fuel is then used to create a frequency modulated continuous wave acoustic ranging signal that is Doppler insensitive used for obstacle avoidance Waste gas is then passed through an ejector to entrain external atmospheric gases to increase mass flow and decrease waste gas temperature so that lower temperature components can be used downstream Some waste gas is diverted into gas bearings for rotational and linear moving components Finally remaining waste gas is vectored into the wings where it is used for circulation controlled lift augmentation Coanda effect Any remaining gas can be used for vectored thrust but if the gas budgets are correctly designed there should be no extra gas beyond the circulation control points The features of the RCM are tailored to the entomopter to conserve energy 2 Patents editU S Patent No 6 446 909 September 10 2002 Reciprocating Chemical Muscle RCM and Method for Using Same References edit http angel strike com entomopter RCM Generations jpg bare URL image file a b Michelson R C Novel Approaches to Miniature Flight Platforms Proceedings of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers Vol 218 Part G Journal of Aerospace Engineering Special Issue Paper 2004 pp 363 373 https journals sagepub com doi 10 1243 0954410042794911 Colozza A Michelson R C et al Planetary Exploration Using Biomimetics An Entomopter for Flight on Mars Phase II Final Report see chapter on fuels NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts Project NAS5 98051 October 2002 abstract Michelson R C Naqvi M A Extraterrestrial Flight Entomopter based Mars Surveyor von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics RTO AVT Lecture Series on Low Reynolds Number Aerodynamics on Aircraft Including Applications in Emerging UAV Technology Brussels Belgium 24 28 November 2003 Michelson R C Neurotechnology for Biomimetic Robots ISBN 0 262 01193 X The MIT Press September 2002 pp 481 509 chapter author External links editRobert C Michelson Entomopter Project Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Reciprocating Chemical Muscle amp oldid 1207719659, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
