THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL HEAVY FUEL UAV ENGINES

摘要

The small UAV engine sector is developing rapidly. The urgent requirement for small, heavy fuel engines coupled with an expectation of increased levels of performance and reliability are forcing suppliers to apply the design and development techniques that are already established in the automotive sector as well as developing new tools to cope with the unique elements of these small engines. This paper highlights the route Cosworth has taken so far in the design and development of its UAV engine family. The process has made extensive use of analytical techniques such as computational fluid dynamics, one-dimensional performance simulation and finite element analysis as well as engine testing on a custom built dynamometer. In some areas, details of the engine specification remain confidential, but the process and tools are reviewed to give a clear view of the level of technology that is being applied in this sector today and an understanding of how this will drive future engine developments.