The Integrated Controller Dedicated to Multi -Coil Electromagnetic Launcher for Micro Class Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

The paper presents the structure, design and operational functions of the integrated controller of an multicoil electromagnetic launcher (EML) for micro class unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs). UAVs are used for military and civilian purposes for patrolling forest areas, transporting loads of small sizes and weights, mapping, counting animal populations or observing mass events, etc. Some constructions of unmanned aerial vehicles are not equipped with a chassis allowing independent start using special runways, so there is a need for manual ejection by a man hand or using one of many types of dedicated launcher. In example, there are in usage rubber launchers (bungee), pneumatic, hydraulic, steam, rocket and also electromagnetic one. Especially the last type can be used for micro class UAVs. EMLs enable operator to precisely control thrust parameters, i.e. giving the appropriate initial speed, avoiding acceleration pulses, repeating start procedure in short periods of time. For instance, more advanced task involved EMLs can be creation of UAVs formation flight structure, which is very complex process sometimes even impossible to do with manual controlled thrust. The first part of the work presents the concept and construction of a multi-coil launcher with a moving ferromagnetic core. Project was created at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Bialystok University of Technology. The next part of the work presents the structure, design and construction of the dedicated for EML, programmable controller. Moreover, in the paper the method of UAV ejection control and the selection of the appropriate, crucial parameters were described. In the last part, summary the obtained results was presented and conclusions were drawn.