Development of multi-helicopter system cabled to ground station for bridge inspection

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26420203
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Intelligent mechanics/Mechanical systems
• Research Institution: Osaka City University
• Principal Investigator: Imadu Atsushi 大阪市立大学, 大学院工学研究科, 講師 (80440246)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: マルチコプター / ケーブル連結ヘリコプター / 動作計画

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have developed a multi-helicopter system where the helicopters are serially cabled to the ground station. While the system has long flight time and wired high-speed communication, the helicopters subject to the limitation of flight range and the cables are at risk of damage by contact to obstacles.
First, 3-dimensional analysis of static physical interaction between helicopters and cables considering contacts between cables and obstacles illustrates the multi-helicopter system has larger flight range in cases of flight long distance in low altitude and flight above obstacles. Second, experiments comparing analized thrusts of helicopter and experimental energy consumption validate the analysis. Finally, experiments demonstrate the terminal helicopter is able to reach above an obstacle and to turn around an obstacle horizontally.

Free Research Field

ロボティクス