Reciprocating Chemical Muscle

The Reciprocating chemical muscle (RCM) is a mechanism that takes advantage of the superior energy density of chemical reactions. It is a regenerative device that converts chemical energy into motion through a direct noncombustive chemical reaction.

Function

RCM is capable of generating autonomic wing beating from a chemical energy source. It can also be used to provide a small amount of electricity to the onboard control systems. It further helps in differential lift enhancement on the wings to achieve roll, pitch, and hence, steered flight. The RCM technique is particularly useful in the manufacturing of insect-like MAVs. The first generation of RCM was large and had a reciprocating frequency of approximately 10 Hz. The later generations[1] developed were very much smaller and lighter. Also the reciprocating frequency of this generation RCM was as high as 60 Hz. The reciprocating chemical muscle was invented by Prof. Robert C. Michelson of the Georgia Tech Research Institute and implemented up through its fourth generation by Nino Amarena of ETS Laboratories.

Benefits

Particular benefits of the RCM are that it:

Mechanism

The reciprocating chemical muscle uses various monopropellants in the presence of specific catalysts to create gas from a liquid without combustion.[3] This gas is used to drive reciprocating opposing cylinders (in the 4th generation device) to produce sufficient motion (throw) with sufficient force and frequency to allow flapping wing flight. As of 2004, the RCM had been demonstrated in the Georgia Tech Research Institute laboratory to achieve sufficient throw, force, and frequency for operation of a 50 gram Entomopter while using high concentration (> 90%) hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a proprietary catalyst developed by ETS Laboratories.[4]

Specific Uses

The reciprocating chemical muscle was developed as a drive mechanism for the flapping wings of the Entomopter. The RCM reuses energy many times before releasing it into its surroundings.[5] First of all, it converts mainly heat energy into flapping wing motion in the Entomopter. Then heat is scavenged for thermoelectric generation in support of ancillary systems. Waste gas from the chemical decomposition of the fuel is then used to create an FMCW (frequency modulated continuous wave) acoustic ranging signal that is Doppler insensitive (used for obstacle avoidance). Waste gas is then passed through an ejector to entrain external atmospheric gases in order to increase mass flow and decrease waste gas temperature so that lower temperature components can be used down stream. Some waste gas is diverted into gas bearings for rotational and linear moving components. Finally remaining waste gas is vectored into the wings where it is used for circulation-controlled lift augmentation (Coanda Effect). Any remaining gas can be used for vectored thrust, however if the gas budgets are correctly designed, there should be no extra gas beyond the circulation control points. The features of the RCM are tailored to the Entomopter in order to conserve energy.[2]

References

  1. ↑ http://angel-strike.com/wiki/index.php?title=File:RCM-Generations.jpg
  2. 1 2 Michelson, R.C., Novel Approaches to Miniature Flight Platforms, Proceedings of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Vol. 218 Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering, Special Issue Paper 2004, pp. 363–373
  3. ↑ Colozza, A., Michelson, R.C., et al., Planetary Exploration Using Biomimetics – An Entomopter for Flight on Mars, Phase II Final Report (see chapter on fuels), NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts Project NAS5-98051, October 2002. abstract
  4. ↑ Michelson, R.C., Naqvi, M.A., Extraterrestrial Flight (Entomopter-based Mars Surveyor), von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics RTO/AVT Lecture Series on Low Reynolds Number Aerodynamics on Aircraft Including Applications in Emerging UAV Technology, Brussels Belgium, 24–28 November 2003
  5. ↑ Michelson, R.C., 'Neurotechnology for Biomimetic Robots, ISBN 0-262-01193-X, The MIT Press, September 2002, pp. 481 – 509, (chapter author)

External links

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