Unleashing the potential of drone technology, this study introduces the SpinCopter, a groundbreaking drone design that challenges the power limitations of traditional multi-rotor drones. The SpinCopter, with its unique blend of aerodynamic efficiency and mechanical simplicity, promises to revolutionize the drone landscape.
The SpinCopter's design is ingeniously simple yet powerful. It harnesses the lift from a wing and the thrust from a motor, controlled by just two inputs - the motor speed and the control surface angle. This simplicity belies the sophisticated mathematical modelling that underpins its operation, encompassing both translational and rotational dynamics.
The control strategy for the SpinCopter is a marvel of engineering. It employs a cascade controller built using an inner and outer loop determined by a Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) function. This ensures the drone's states are controllable, enabling precise manoeuvrability.
The SpinCopter is not just a theoretical concept. Rigorous numerical validation has demonstrated the effectiveness of the design and control strategy. The SpinCopter is ready to take flight, promising longer flight durations and greater operational distances.