Compressed Air Powered Drone

Published on 19 May 2022. Written by Dineshkumar E

Drones are evolving day by day as more investment and innovative ideas bring advanced drones to the market. Drones are used for various applications like surveillance, delivering packages, inspecting crops, firefighting and so on. In this project, you will learn about a drone that is controlled by compressed air. Generally, drones are powered by electric motors to produce thrust and to control the direction. Using electric motors will increase the drone weight and it consumes more power. So, large-sized batteries are required to power the drone for a longer period.

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In space satellites and rockets are controlled using gas thrusters. By, replacing motors with gas-powered thrusters to control the direction of the drone reduces the weight and increases the flight time as well.

Project Description:

First, design the frame for the drone based on the requirement. A motor with a propeller is attached to the frame at the center. It is used to produce a vertical lift. For moving forward and backward compressed air is used. The compressed air is expelled through the nozzle to move the drone forward and backward. The following are the components used to build the compressed-air controlled drone: 

• Plastic Bottles: These bottles are used as a pressure container to store the compressed air, which is less in weight and can store more air.
• Solenoid Valve: Solenoid valves are electrically powered and used to control the flow of fluid or air. It is used to release compressed air from the container as per the requirement.
• Nozzle: It is a device used to control the direction of the fluid flow. Nozzles are connected to the pressure container through the tube.
• Brushless motor: Brushless motors are electrically powered motors that are used to produce thrust. It converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
• Propeller: It converts the rotational motion into thrust. Propeller is attached to the Brushless motor to produce thrust.
• Battery: Lithium polymer batteries are used to power the motor and valves. This type of battery can store more energy with less in size and weight.
• Flight Controller Board: It acts as the brain that controls the motor speed and the valve opening and closing based on the input given by the user. The flight controller board can be programmed by the user based on the requirement.
• Electronic Speed Controller: It is used to control the motor speed based on the input.
• Transmitter and Receiver: 4 GHz radio transmitter and receiver is used to control the drone remotely.

Advantages of Compressed-air powered drone:

1. Weight of the drone is reduced as compressed air is used to control the drone.
2. Increased efficiency as a lesser number of moving parts which reduces friction.
3. More flight time as only one motor is used to produce thrust.

Kit required to develop Compressed Air Powered Drone:

• bldc motor
• Propeller

Technologies you will learn by working on Compressed Air Powered Drone:

• Aerodynamics
• Drone

Any Questions?