Modeling and simulation of a propeller-engine system for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

In this paper we present a model of a Propeller-Engine system and a simulation analysis of its dynamics in order to estimate the total load torque produced by the aerodynamic effects of a spinning propeller attached to its rotor when it is used as a thruster in small scale Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The contribution is twofold: first, we obtain the model of a composed propeller-engine system introducing the mechanical load of a turning propeller to the electro-mechanical properties of a Brushless Direct Current motor, to determine the total thrust and the load torque with respect to its angular velocity, and then, we present the results of a numerical simulation of its dynamical behavior under hovering conditions. The aim of this work is to establish the basis for new developments in the area of control to improve the stability of flight in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles avoiding drifting.