Paris Air Show - D-Dalus

[ouroboros]

D-Dalus is a cycloidal propeller propulsion based quadcopter VTOL UAV concept/prototype. Sadly the maker website is very sparse.

http://www.d-dalus.com/

http://www.gizmag.com/d-dalus-uav-design/18972/

 

[sublight]

Did they fly this thing at the air show?

 

[Machdiamond]

They did not fly it.
I was reading this thread yesterday morning so when I saw their booth I took those two shots just because. Sorry no more info, this was a drive-by shooting.
--Luc

 

[yasotay]

I try not to be a skeptic. I will be enthused when I see video. IF it does work it will be a great urban facilitator.

 

[shedofdread]

Doubtless it can be made to work with enough effort however, such things are quite complex with that complexity can come fragility / reliability issues. UAVs [especially when small] need to be robust, simple and efficient.

A clear advantage is however, the lack of exposed rotors - having been around many UAVs (VTOL and otherwise) over the years, I'd rather not be too close to the rotors of a helicopter...

S

 

[Machdiamond]

It that is a design consideration, there are shrouded fans.
I fail to see how a cycloidal propeller can be more efficient. It's been tried for ages without success.
--Luc

 

[ouroboros]

That's what bugs me a little about this. Bosch Aerospace did Navy SBIR contracts for a cycloidal propeller propulsion UAV a while back (not a quadrotor but a twin with a rear rotor turned 90 degrees for for steering so might be classified a trirotor/tricopter), under the cyclogyro genre. Were the results just not that good?

 

[Sundog]

Thanks for the pics MD. When I first saw this, I thought it was similar to that plane that had the propeller in the TE of the wing. I hadn't realized it was just a cycloidal prop.

 

[Grey Havoc]

That's what bugs me a little about this. Bosch Aerospace did Navy SBIR contracts for a cycloidal propeller propulsion UAV a while back (not a quadrotor but a twin with a rear rotor turned 90 degrees for for steering so might be classified a trirotor/tricopter), under the cyclogyro genre. Were the results just not that good?

The Raspet Flight Research Laboratory (part of the Bagley College of Engineering at Mississippi State University) was also involved with Bosch Aerospace in the project. Trying to track down more info.

 

[Nik]

With the equivalent of a swash-plate per 'paddle', and a ruddy big cartwheel for a hub, the cyclic loads on that Bosch concept are real-scary. At least the D'Dalus has its paddles supported at both ends, constraining off-axis motion...


Uh, IIRC, legend holds that Daedalus flew within his safety envelope and escaped-- Icarus lost a wing and...

 

[Grey Havoc]

Quick note: Bosch Aerospace is now the Aeronautical & Space Systems division of ISL (Information Systems Laboratories).