Aerodynamic Design of Coanda Effect UAV

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are versatile aircraft operated without an onboard human pilot, with applications ranging from surveillance to cargo delivery. Traditional UAVs, such as quadcopters, offer advantages including flexibility, cost efficiency, and diverse uses in both civilian and military operations. However, these UAVs face limitations in flight efficiency, power consumption, and safety. In contrast, UAV designs incorporating the Coanda effect offer promising safety improvements. The Coanda effect, describes the behavior of a fluid jet, such as air, to adhere to a nearby curved surface rather than following its original trajectory. This phenomenon has significant applications in aerospace vehicles. This study focused on performing an aerodynamic analysis of a UAV utilizing the Coanda effect to examine the effect of surface curvature on aerodynamic performance using CFD techniques. Specifically, the research examined how different geometrical configurations impacted airflow, pressure distribution, and lift generation. By refining these parameters, the design improves lift and maneuverability, thereby enhancing flight performance for Coanda-effect UAVs. This research demonstrates the potential to improve UAV efficiency. Key findings revealed that a curvature parameter of b =-0.1 provided an optimal balance between thrust and structural weight, while a logarithmic profile for the inner curvature yielded better aerodynamic performance.