TY - JOUR
T1 - The NederDrone
T2 - A hybrid lift, hybrid energy hydrogen UAV
AU - De Wagter, C.
AU - Remes, B.
AU - Smeur, E.
AU - van Tienen, F.
AU - Ruijsink, R.
AU - van Hecke, K.
AU - van der Horst, E.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Many Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) applications require vertical take-off and landing and very long-range capabilities. Fixed-wing aircraft need long runways to land, and electric energy is still a bottleneck for helicopters, which are not range efficient. In this paper, we introduce the NederDrone, a hybrid lift, hybrid energy hydrogen-powered UAV that can perform vertical take-off and landings using its 12 propellers while flying efficiently in forward flight thanks to its fixed wings. The energy is supplied from a combination of hydrogen-driven Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel-cells for endurance and lithium batteries for high-power situations. The hydrogen is stored in a pressurized cylinder around which the UAV is optimized. This work analyses the selection of the concept, the implemented safety elements, the electronics and flight control and shows flight data including a 3h38 flight at sea while starting and landing from a small moving ship.
AB - Many Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) applications require vertical take-off and landing and very long-range capabilities. Fixed-wing aircraft need long runways to land, and electric energy is still a bottleneck for helicopters, which are not range efficient. In this paper, we introduce the NederDrone, a hybrid lift, hybrid energy hydrogen-powered UAV that can perform vertical take-off and landings using its 12 propellers while flying efficiently in forward flight thanks to its fixed wings. The energy is supplied from a combination of hydrogen-driven Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel-cells for endurance and lithium batteries for high-power situations. The hydrogen is stored in a pressurized cylinder around which the UAV is optimized. This work analyses the selection of the concept, the implemented safety elements, the electronics and flight control and shows flight data including a 3h38 flight at sea while starting and landing from a small moving ship.
KW - Hybrid unmanned air vehicle
KW - Hydrogen
KW - Maritime unmanned air vehicles
KW - Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel-cell
KW - Pressure cylinder
KW - Tail-sitter
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85103051632&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.02.053
DO - 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.02.053
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85103051632
SN - 0360-3199
VL - 46
SP - 16003
EP - 16018
JO - International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
JF - International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
IS - 29
ER -
