| Περιγραφή: |
The aerodynamic performance of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is critical for optimizing lift, reducing drag, and achieving efficient flight across a range of wind speeds, for High Altitude Platforms (HAPs applications. This research investigates the effects of basic geometry shapes of flap and slat designs on aerodynamic performance, specifically targeting enhancements in lift-to-drag ratio at various air velocities of 5, 10, 15, and 20 ms-1 with 6 configurations of angles of attack. Three basic shape designs, rectangular, triangular, and semi-circular, which were embedded onto a flat plate, were evaluated experimentally in an open loop wind tunnel. The results revealed that the triangular and semi-circular slats and flaps consistently provided higher aerodynamic performance compared to the rectangular design, particularly at higher velocities and angles of attack. Experimental results showed lift increased with air velocity, with the 0°-7°-20° configuration yielding the highest performance. The triangular design achieved the best C_L/C_D of 4.134 for an air velocity of 20 ms-1. Additionally, the triangular and semi-circular design exhibited superior aerodynamic stability and efficiency, making it well-suited for high-speed operations. These findings underscore the critical role of basic shape geometry in improving UAV flight performance across a wide range of air velocities, contributing to reduced mechanical loads, lower power consumption, and lighter system designs for HAP applications. |