The NederDrone

The NederDrone: A hybrid lift, hybrid energy hydrogen UAV

de Wagter, C. (TU Delft Control & Simulation)
Remes, B.D.W. (TU Delft Control & Simulation)
Smeur, E.J.J. (TU Delft Control & Simulation)
van Tienen, F. (TU Delft Control & Simulation)
Ruisink, Rick (TU Delft Control & Simulation)
van Hecke, K.G. (TU Delft Control & Simulation)
van der Horst, E. (TU Delft Control & Simulation)

2021

Many Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) applications require vertical take-off and landing and very long-range capabilities. Fixed-wing aircraft need long runways to land, and electric energy is still a bottleneck for helicopters, which are not range efficient. In this paper, we introduce the NederDrone, a hybrid lift, hybrid energy hydrogen-powered UAV that can perform vertical take-off and landings using its 12 propellers while flying efficiently in forward flight thanks to its fixed wings. The energy is supplied from a combination of hydrogen-driven Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel-cells for endurance and lithium batteries for high-power situations. The hydrogen is stored in a pressurized cylinder around which the UAV is optimized. This work analyses the selection of the concept, the implemented safety elements, the electronics and flight control and shows flight data including a 3h38 flight at sea while starting and landing from a small moving ship.

Hybrid unmanned air vehicle
Hydrogen
Maritime unmanned air vehicles
Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel-cell
Pressure cylinder
Tail-sitter

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:0bbd9df5-9c48-42f2-b3a6-284876642d15

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.02.053

0360-3199

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46 (29), 16003-16018

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2021 C. de Wagter, B.D.W. Remes, E.J.J. Smeur, F. van Tienen, Rick Ruisink, K.G. van Hecke, E. van der Horst