MAVerick

Energy Harvesting for Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs)

 

Member profile details

Membership level
2010-2011 Team
Project Thumbnail Image
Team Name
MAVerick
Project Title
Energy Harvesting for Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs)
Design Challenge
Team MAVerick has developed a modular ambient energy harvesting device to be used on micro air vehicles in flight. The purpose of this device is to generate electricity to power low load electrical equipment, such as a camera or a GPS chip. This project is sponsored by the Air Force Research Lab to be used in military applications, but also can be adapted for commercial use.
Design Summary
The United States Air Force has made several advances in Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV) technology. MAVs are a class of unmanned aerial vehicles that are autonomous and restricted by size with some current models as small as five cubic inches. The battery technology powering these MAVs has been limiting further development. In the past, research has been conducted on harvesting energy from electromagnetic induction, triboelectricity, piezoelectricity, thermoelectricity, and via other conversion mechanisms. The implementation of harvesting mechanisms would significantly increase the Air Force’s capabilities that are currently restricted by energy storing devices. This technology would work to refill energy storage devices during use and enable longer life of vital MAVs. We have been tasked with developing a mechanism to harvest ambient energy from the environment during flight to supplement an on-board electrical power source. The design has been evaluated with CFD and CAD simulations for varying wing models. The design has been conveyed to our sponsors at the Air Force through reports at the conclusion of both semesters. Team MAVerick created preliminary CAD models of the device and ordered several of the components for construction of a prototype. The mechanism has been constructed and tested on an RC plane to simulate a Micro Aerial Vehicle. We have undergone testing for optimal frequency conditions and flow regimes in CFD. The design has been improved and modified throughout the testing to optimize energy output. Our final prototype is currently finished and tested.
Sponsors
Air Force Research Laboratory
Award(s)
2011 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) iShow - National Top Ten Finalist
Department(s)
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
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Faculty Advisor 1 - Name
Andrew Dick
 

Team Members

Contact us

Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen
Rice University

6100 Main Street MS 390 | Houston, Texas | 77005

Phone: 713.348.OEDK

Email: oedk@rice.edu

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