1. MAV and UAV Research at Rochester Institute of Technology
Michael Reeder
5th year BS/MEng Student
MAV Project Leader
Jason Grow
BS/MS Graduate of RIT
MAV Team Lead
Boeing Phantom Works, HB
…where the sky is only the beginning…

2. Outline Description of Mechanical Engineering Program
Introduction of MAV & accomplishments
RIT Mechanical Engineering – Projects, Facilities and Research
Competition description for Academic Year
MAV Research and Objectives
RIT MAV Integration Road Map
Sponsorship Needs

3. Description of Mechanical Engineering Program
Mechanical Engineering Students
100+ students per year
Variety of concentrations offered
Aerospace
Automotive
Bio-engineering
Energy and environment
Mandatory co-op assignments (significant presence with Boeing other large corporations)
Multi-Disciplinary Senior Design Projects
Involves integrating senior design projects from all engineering majors
Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Industrial and Software Engineering
Students work in design teams in an environment simulating an industrial setting
Final design must be supported by sound engineering analyses and a working prototype must be demonstrated
Introduces program management, design process, etc.
Graduate Programs
BS/MEng and BS/MS Program
Controls, Thermo/Fluids and Structures Concentrations
Research funded by department and major corporations
Boeing, Delphi, Kodak, Xerox, Borg-Warner, Valeo, General Mills, Sentry Safe and more…

4. RIT Mechanical Engineering
Under- graduate Research & Design
Graduate Research
Multi-Disciplinary
Projects
ME Labs and Facilities
Aerospace Program
Labs and Capabilities
MAV

5. Introduction of 2006-2007 MAV Phase 5 Results Objectives:
Fly 600 m
Capture an image
Obtain a reliability of 80%
Project went through 5 phases
Phase 1: Previous year’s MAV
Firefly motor
300 mA-h battery
6” prop
Phase 2: New Propulsion System
3 x 2” prop
Feigao Motor produced more thrust
Phase 3: Angle of Attack (α)
Phase 4: Limiting Control Surfaces
Control surfaces determined to be a source of failure
Enabled turning but with limited success
Phase 5: Rudder Design (stiff wing)
Throttle use mimics elevator
Controlled turning in yaw reduced pilot error
6.5” platform (longest linear dimension)
Phase 5 Results

6. 2006-2007 MAV Accomplishments Improved flight capabilities
Optimized power system and thrust
Maintained camera capabilities
Captured images at > 300 m
Established reliability > 85%
Significant improvements and successes over previous years’ MAVs

7. Previous MAV Research 2003-2004 2004-2005 Vehicle Performance
Flight duration = 9 minutes
Flight range = 450 meters
Swappable Payload ~ 20g
Overall mass ~ 90 g
Vehicle Dimensions
12” Span
6” Root Chord
4” Tip Chord
AR = 2.32
Capability
Black and White Video
Vehicle Performance
Flight duration = 11 minutes
Flight range = meters
Swappable Payload ~ 40g
Overall mass ~ 183 g
Vehicle Dimensions
18.5” Span
7.3” Root Chord
3.5” Tip Chord
Capability
Color Video

8. M.E. Projects and Research
MAV
SAE Formula One
NASA Moonbuggy Team
AIAA/SAE Aero Design Team
Facilities
Aero Lab
Composites Lab
Windtunnel
MicroE Clean Room
EE Labs

9. New Aero Lab Home of the SAE Aero Team & now MAV
Participates in the SAE Heavy Lift Competition
12 years of experience
Allows students to get hands on experience
Composites, team dynamics, design and build process, etc.
Advertisement space for Boeing!!!
Boeing logo could be posted on Aero Lab window in main hallway of new engineering wing

10. R.I.T. Composites Lab Experience Capabilities Classes RIT > 5 years
Programs
MAV, UAV and Aero
Moon-buggy Research
SAE Formula
Multiple Senior Design Projects
Capabilities
Material Testing
Tensile, Torsional and Vibration
Classes
Intro to Composite Materials
Advanced Composite Materials

11. Closed Loop Subsonic Wind Tunnel
R.I.T. Windtunnel
Closed Loop Subsonic Wind Tunnel
Ideal wind tunnel for MAV/UAV testing
21” x 29” x 48” test section
Sustain speeds from 13 to 120 mph
Load cell sting balance capable of both static and dynamic measurements of lift, drag, and pitching moment; variable angle of attack
Resolution to ± 0.1 grams
Thrust Stand for dynamic propeller testing
Fully Automated Lab-View Interface
Variety of projects have utilized
Formula, graduate work, etc.

12. 2007-2008 Competition Description
International Competition (recently held in France in September)
The MAV for :
500 mm longest linear dimension
500 g maximum mass
GPS system
Sensory system
Video relay system
Perching capability
Ability for controlled flight for long distances
The competition (see picture):
Fly for a distance of 1 km
Identify 2 targets at given GPS waypoints
Locate a target in the search zone
Drop sensor in drop zone
Fly through arches
Perch on VTOL platform

13. 2007-2008 MAV Research & Objectives
Experiment with MAV configuration to create preliminary design ideas for MAV
Design, using CAD and fluids analyses, an MAV prototype capable of meeting competition requirements
Build and test prototypes capable of meeting maximum linear dimensions and mass requirements (Senior Design I block)
Integrate components to be used on MAV into design and create multiple fully functional Micro Aerial Vehicles (Senior Design II block)
Compete in international outdoor portion of MAV competition (held in France)

14. 2007-2008 MAV Platform Ideas Integrate previous year’s MAV
with hovering capabilities
(possible Osprey configuration?)
Energy Source:
Batteries
Electronics:
Video relay system
GPS
Sensory system
Propulsion:
Incorporate MAV propulsion system from AY (use of more than one motor will be needed)
Advanced Structures:
Composite Fuselage & Wings
(Carbon Fiber)
Advanced Materials
Manufacturing Techniques

15. R.I.T. MAV Road Map 1 year 2 year 3 year 4 year 5 year 10 year
Hovering
(Hybrid)
Capability
MAV Platform
Obstacle
Avoidance
System
Inertial Navigation System
Peer to Peer Communications
Advanced Electronics
Advanced Composite & Manufacturing
Smart Airframe: Morphable Surfaces, etc.
Alternative Power: Micro-Fuel Cell, Photovoltaic Cells
Customer:
RIT Imaging Science
???
Orinthopter

16. What RIT needs to step forward?
Budget Assistance
Materials
Composite Tools and Material
Electronics: Video, GPS, Controls, etc.
Misc.: Balsa, Composite Tape, Foam, Mold Materials, etc.
Lab Assistance
Improved lab capability
Instrumentation
Design Input
Boeing’s MAV outlooks
Assist Boeing with R&D