Lifting body design and CFD analysis of a novellong range pentacopter, the TILT LR drone

Abstract: In the thesis, a lifting body has been designed aiming to generate lift force for the pentacopter,called TILT LR (Long Range), at higher velocities during flights to improve the aerodynamicperformances. The configuration, which is used as the skeleton of the long range drone for upto 75 kilometers flights, is based upon a tilting system allowing the rotors to rotate around theirown axis in both pitch and roll angles. This offers the possibility to the TILT LR flying withoutany vertical excess thrust at a proper angle of attack and velocity. This new drone can be directlyapplied to missions require long flight time or cover long distance, such as Search & Rescue(SAR), power lines and off-shore structures inspection, fire monitoring or surveillance.Several main CAD models have been created during the process of design and presented in thereport together with the final design. For each model in the process, CFD simulations have beenapplied to observe the behaviors of the flows around the surfaces of the body during steadyflights, followed by a brief analysis for further modification. A series of simulations withvarying velocities and angle of attack have been performed for the final design, analyzing itsperformances under different air conditions. Flight envelope of the design has been presentedalso, together with some ideas of possible further studies on the pentacopter.