Team 34 Power Available vs. Power Required: Low Cost Flight Display Sponsored by: Sikorsky Sponsor Advisor: Paul Inguanti
Justin Dubrosky, Brandon Naples, Faculty Advisor Prof. Chengyu Cao The objective of the Sikorsky Power Available vs. Power Required project was to develop an aftermarket avionics instrument to determine the power available for lower cost helicopters versus the power required for a flight to be safely carried out based on pilot input parameters and ambient conditions. Currently, the pilot of a small helicopter has to make numerous approximations when preparing to perform a given task. Variables such as final altitude, temperature, pressure, and wind velocity are all approximated by the pilot, but the actual values of these environmental conditions are often difficult to know for certain, creating a safety risk for everyone on board. Therefore, a system that constantly measures environmental conditions and compares power available to power required in real time would reduce the risk of helicopter crashes. Based on principles of fluid mechanics and simulations using Solidworks Fluid Flow, a cylindrical housing geometry was determined to be the most effective at creating a repeatable pressure distribution. Within the housing, four pressure and temperature sensors are used to measure ambient conditions, even with an incoming wind velocity. This data is processed by a microcontroller, in conjunction with pilot input parameters and engine performance data, to compare the power available versus the power required. The system then outputs these results to an LCD screen and a series of LED indicators to alert the pilot of flight feasibility. The system was tested within the specified operating conditions in cases of pressure changes due to altitude and incoming wind velocities in order to validate that the system accurately measured pressure, temperature, and wind velocity.
Senior Design Project Program 2013-2014 Brochure 2014.indd 38
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