Exploring Ionic Thrusters for Aerial Applications.pptx

Exploring Ionic Thrusters for Aerial Applications

1. Exploring Ionic Thrusters for Aerial Applications Guided By: Asst. Prof.                   Dr. Sheryl  Arulini Presented By: NEERAJ KRISHNA Roll No:45 S7EEE

2. CONTENTS

3. INTRODUCTION Generate thrust by ionizing a propellant and accelerating ions with electric fields. Unlike combustion engines, they use electrical energy for ionization. Primarily studied for space, with potential in atmospheric flight. Reduced fuel consumption. Quieter operation. Enhanced efficiency for aircraft and drones. Longer flight times and lower environmental impact.

4. INTRODUCTION CONTD. No Moving Parts Ionic Thrusters operate without mechanical components, reducing wear and tear. Low Noice and Vibration Their operation results in minimal noise and vibration, benefiting sensitive applications. Aerial Vehicle Integration Integration in aerial vehicles enhances maneuverability and operational longevity. High Efficiency These thrusters deliver supervision thrust-to-power ratios, enhancing mission performance. Surveillance Applications Ionic thrusters are ideal for surveillance drones, providing stealthy and efficient flight.

5. LITERATURE SURVEY Ho Shing Poon, Mark K. K. Lam, Maxwell Chow and Wen J. Li, " Noiseless and Vibration-Free Ionic Propulsion Technology for Indoor Surveillance Blimps", Centre for Micro and Nano Systems, Faculty of Engineering The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Kobe, Japan, May 12-17, 2009. Ionic propulsion technology enables indoor aerial vehicles to operate without moving parts, resulting in silent, vibration-free flight. The Ionic Flyer uses asymmetric capacitor configurations for thrust, making it ideal for stealthy surveillance. Scalability of ionic propulsion allows for increased thrust by adjusting the unit's size and design. Initial experiments show promising stability, highlighting the potential of ionic thrusters as a viable alternative to conventional systems.

6. LITERATURE SURVEY CONTD. Patil Rushikesh, Pulkit Jain and Harjot Singh Gill, "Design and optimization of ion propulsion drone", BOHR International Journal of Material Sciences and Engineering 2023, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 25–31. MIT engineers developed the first ion-drive aircraft in 2018, a 2.3 kg glider using ionic wind propulsion with a 5 m wing and integrated power supply. Undefined Technologies is also advancing the "Silent Ventus," aiming for longer flight times and reduced noise levels. Additionally, Dan Ye et al. designed a jet-ion thruster to replace fossil fuels with carbon-free ion plasma, while F. Romano et al. created an air-breathing plasma thruster using atmospheric nitrogen for maneuverability in lower Earth orbit.

7. OBJECTIVE The objectives are as follows: To help with the application of ionic thrust in modern day aircrafts. To help with the application of ionic thrust in space applications. To create a noiseless, eco-friendly, efficient and advanced system of applicability in the aerial as well as other technological fields.

8. WORKING PRINCIPLES Working Principles 1.High Voltage Application  A high voltage exceeding 10kV is applied across the electrodes, initiating the thruster's operation. 2.Ionization Process The application of high voltage leads to the ionization of air, which is crucial for thrust generation. 3.Thrust Generation Generated ions provide thrust by transferring momentum to neutral air molecules, propelling the vehicle.

9. ADVANTAGES OF IONIC THRUSTERS No mechanical moving parts Ionic thrusters have no mechanical components, significantly reducing maintenance requirements. Silent operation They operate quietly, making them perfect for surveillance and sensitive missions. Minimal environmental impact These thrusters consume low energy, resulting in a reduced carbon footprint and environmental impact. Scalability Ionic thrusters can be scaled in size and thrust, allowing for versatile applications in aerial technology.

10. ADVANTAGES OF IONIC THRUSTERS CONTD. High Efficiency Ionic thrusters deliver efficient propulsion with minimal energy consumption. Low Noise Levels They operate with very low noise, making them ideal for quiet applications. Reduced Maintenance With no mechanical parts, ionic thrusters require less maintenance. Zero Carbon Emissions Potential They have the potential to operate without producing harmful emissions.

11. APPLICATION IN AERIAL VEHICLES Indoor Surveillance Silent Operation: Ionic thrusters enable noiseless navigation, ideal for indoor surveillance blimps. Precise Control: They can maneuver through complex environments like warehouses and large buildings. Reliable Design: The absence of mechanical parts minimizes the risk of mechanical failure. Extended Operation: Low energy consumption supports longer monitoring durations. Versatile Applications: Perfect for security, monitoring, and data collection in sensitive areas.

12. APPLICATION IN AERIAL VEHICLES CONTD. Miniaturized Aerial Vehicles Lightweight Design : Ionic propulsion enhances microdrones' scalability and efficiency. High Maneuverability : Ionic thrusters enable precise control for various tasks. Stable Flight : Offers stability, crucial for research and exploration applications. Low Energy Requirements : Ideal for weight-sensitive operations and applications. Innovative Applications : Supports advancements in remote sensing and environmental monitoring.

13. APPLICATION IN AERIAL VEHICLES CONTD. Drones for Reconnaissance Drones benefit from silent propulsion for covert reconnaissance. Ionic thrusters reduce noise, enhancing stealth in operations. Efficient energy use extends flight duration for longer missions. Less frequent recharges make them ideal for intelligence gathering. Suitable for both military and civilian covert activities.

14. CASE STUDY : IONIC PROPULSION BLIMP Ionic Propulsion Blimp Overview Design: Helium-filled blimp with no mechanical moving parts, weighing 150g and using 211L of helium. Thrust Generation: Ionic Flyer produces ~6g thrust with 0.7 m/s airflow at a 50% duty cycle. Control: Wireless Bluetooth control; future versions will include autonomous navigation. Key Advantages Silent operation Low energy consumption Stable and efficient flight.

15. CASE STUDY : IONIC PROPULSION BLIMP CONTD. Experimental Results Lift Test: Stable flight achieved. Thrust Test: 6g thrust at 0.7 m/s. Speed Test: Accelerated from 0.33 m/s to 1.0 m/s in 3.25 seconds (forward acceleration of 0.2 m/s²). Future Challenges Optimize thrust for heavier payloads Enhance navigation system Improve energy efficiency Potential Applications Surveillance Monitoring Low-altitude aerial platforms Indoor navigation

16. CASE STUDY : IONIC PROPULSION BLIMP CONTD.

17. CASE STUDY : ION PROPULSION DRONE Ion Propulsion Drone Overview Design Features : Utilizes EHD thrusters for silent, efficient operation. Dimensions: 70 cm × 70 cm; Weight: 2.5 kg. Voltage regulators replace traditional electronic speed controllers (ESCs). PWM signals from autopilot adjust voltage to EHD thrusters, ionizing nitrogen for thrust. Performance : Calculated thrust: 0.152 N. Thrust increases with higher current.

18. CASE STUDY : ION PROPULSION DRONE CONTD. Experimental Setup & Findings Testing Procedure : Single-stage ion thruster tested with a DC supply (10 kV - 40 kV). Thrust measured by calculating air mass flow. Results : Thrust generation proportional to applied current. At tested conditions, thrust reached 0.152 N. Future Improvements : Enhance voltage regulation and autopilot systems for better performance and sustainability.

19. CASE STUDY : ION PROPULSION DRONE CONTD.

20. TECHNICAL CHALLENGES High Voltage Power Supply Ionic thrusters require a high voltage power supply, reaching up to 20kV, which complicates design. Efficiency Improvements Enhancements in efficiency are essential for the viability of autonomous aerial flight applications. Weight-to-Power Ratios The efficiency of ionic thrusters is hindered by the weight-to-power ratios of available batteries and systems.

21. KEY HURDLES

22. IMPACT ON AEROSPACE INDUSTRY

23. CONCLUSION The Ionic Flyer generates thrust using high voltage without mechanical parts but cannot lift itself with its power supply. A lightweight, battery-driven supply was developed to enable mounting on larger systems like blimps. Experiments with the Ionic Propulsion Blimp confirmed its practicality, and future plans include integrating advanced control, navigation, and real-time video transmission for improved surveillance.

24. REFERENCE C. F. Chung and Wen J. Li, “Experimental Studies and Parametric Modeling of Ionic Flyers”, 2007 IEEE/ASME Int. Conf. on Advanced Mechatronics, Zurich, Switzerland, September 2007. L. B. Loeb, Electrical Coronas, University of California Press, London, England, 1965. C. F. Chung, “Experimental Studies on Electrical and Lift-force Models of the Ionic Flyer with Wire-plate Electrode Configuration”, MPhil Thesis, Dept. of Mech. & Auto. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China, 2007. I. Buchmann, “What is the perfect battery?”, April 2001, http://www.buchmann.ca/Article4-Page1.asp . M. A. Smith, J. McKittrick, and K. L. Kavanagh, “Piezoelectric Ceramic Transformer for Micro Power Supplies”, Final Report 1996-97 for Micro Project 96-032. Y. Shikaze , M. Imori , H. Fuke, H. Matsumoto, and T. Taniguchi, “Performance of a High Voltage Power Supply Incorporating a Ceramic Transformer”, Proceedings of the sixth Workshop on Electronics for LHC Experiments Krakow, Poland, 11-15, September 2000. The JLN Labs. Available: http://jnaudin.free.fr Blaze Labs Research. Available: http://www.blazelabs.com/

25. REFERENCE CONTD. NASA. NASA-Ion propulsion. (2016). Available online at: https://www. nasa.gov/centers/ glenn /about/fs21grc.html (accessed on 07 Jan, 2023). ​ Guan Y, Vaddi RS, Aliseda A, Novosselov I. Analytical model of electro-hydrodynamic flow in corona discharge. Phys Plasmas. (2018) 25:083507. doi : 10.1063/1.5029403 ​ Chu J. MIT Engineers fly first-ever plane with no moving parts. (2018). Available online at: https://news.mit.edu/2018/first-ionic-wind-planeno-moving-parts-1121 ( acessed on 09 Jan, 2023). ​ Undefined Technologies. Next generation silent drone. (2023). Available online at: https://www.undefinedtechnologies.com/ (accessed on 12 Jan, 2023). ​ Ye D, Li J, Tang J. Jet propulsion by microwave air plasma in the atmosphere Jet propulsion by microwave air plasma in the atmosphere. AIP Adv. (2020) 10:055002. doi : 10.1063/5.0005814 ​ Romano F, Herdrich G, Crisp NH, Edmondson S, Haigh S, Oiko VTA, et al. Design of an intake and a thruster for an atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system. CEAS Space J. (2022) 14:707–15. ​ Rushikesh P. Design of power supply and EHD system for ionpropulsion drone. (2022) 1:35–8. doi : 10.54646/bije.007 ​ Nagel L. A Guide to lithium polymer batteries for drones. (2021). Available online at: https://www.tytorobotics.com/blogs/articles/aguide-to-lithium-polymer-batteries-for-drones (accessed on 15 Jan, 2023). ​

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