PSI - Issue 71

Prathamesh Patil et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 71 (2025) 388–394

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Fig. 7. (a) Design of Payload Box; (b) Working of Payload Mechanism

6. Innovation

The innovation in duct design shows the advancement in generating more thrust and thus increasing the aerodynamic performance of the drone. This geometry includes a shield around the propeller which works on Bernoulli’s principle and thus increases the thrust of the propeller. It also acts as a shroud around the blade providing safety while in flight or in case of accident. In addition to that, the duct is also manufactured additively with a minimal thickness so that it does not increase weight of the UAV.

6.1 Duct Analysis

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) helps in optimizing the aerodynamic efficiency of the frame. CFD simulations were performed and various parameters such as velocity distribution, pressure gradients and turbulence were studied. Initially a single propeller was analyzed to find out the thrust generated. Based on the results of the first simulation, the second CFD was performed with a ducted propeller to enhance the thrust. Table 3 shows the boundary conditions applied to the propeller while performing the analysis. Table 3. Boundary conditions in ANSYS Sr. No. Name of the Boundary Condition Value 1. Velocity (inlet) 17 m/sec 2. Density of air 1.225 kg/m 3 3. Rotational speed 20000 rpm 4. Pressure (outlet) 1 atm

Fig.8. (a) Ductless Propeller; (b) Propeller with duct