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Multi-objective Optimization for the Design of an Unconventional Sun-Powered High-Altitude-Long-Endurance Unmanned Vehicle

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Abstract

The use of High Altitude and Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is becoming increasingly significant in both military and civil missions as High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS). Since this class of aircraft is usually powered by solar cells, it typically features unconventional configurations to maximize sun exposed surfaces. In the present paper, a Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) and a Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) environment have been developed to provide a computational design tool for modeling and designing these unconventional aircraft in order to achieve as independent objectives the maximization of solar power flux, the maximization of the lift-to-drag ratio, and the minimization of mass. To this purpose, a FEM models generator, capable of managing unconventional geometries, and a solar power estimator, are suitably developed to be integrated within a multi objective optimization loop. The simultaneous use of MDO/MOO approaches, and Design Of Experiment (DOE) creation and updating principles, enables to efficiently take into account the multiple and contrasting objectives/constraints arising from the different disciplines involved in the design problem. The study is carried out by using two different commercial codes for multi-objective optimization and for structural and aeroelastic analyses respectively. The use of advanced MDO/MOO approaches revealed to be effective for designing unconventional vehicles.

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Abbreviations

DOE:

Design Of Experiment

FEM:

Finite Element Method

HALE:

High Altitude Long Endurance

HAPS:

High Altitude Pseudo Satellite

LCU:

Left of the Closest to Utopia point

MDO:

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization

MOGA:

Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm

MOO:

Multi-Objective Optimization

RCU:

Right of the Closest to Utopia point

RPAS:

Remotely Piloted Aerial System

SOO:

Single-Objective Optimization

UAV:

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

ϕ :

Energy flow

E :

Lift-to-Drag ratio

L :

Lift

C L :

Lift coefficient

D :

Drag

C D :

Drag coefficient

W :

Mass Weight

e :

Oswald efficiency number

v⃗sun :

Sun rays energy vector

n⃗i :

Normal to the i-th panel surface area

S i :

i-th panel surface area

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica e Aerospaziale, “Sapienza” - Università di Roma, Italy

    F. Mastroddi & L. M. Travaglini

  2. Thales Italian Space, Italy

    S. Gemma

Authors
  1. F. Mastroddi
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  2. L. M. Travaglini
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  3. S. Gemma
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Mastroddi, F., Travaglini, L.M. & Gemma, S. Multi-objective Optimization for the Design of an Unconventional Sun-Powered High-Altitude-Long-Endurance Unmanned Vehicle. Aerotec. Missili Spaz. 97, 68–84 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03405802

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