Fish-like propulsion of an airship based on electro-active polymers

Christa Jordi1,2 , Erich Fink3, Silvain Michel1, Prof. Dr. Paolo Ermanni2
1Empa, 2ETH

Mechanical Systems Engineering, CH-8600 Dubendorf, Switzerland Zurich, Centre of Structure Technologies, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland 3TU Berlin, Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Germany

Goal
Electro-active polymers (EAP) are highly flexible actuators and allow for deformation of large areas when voltage is applied (Fig. 1). The goal of this PhD thesis is to include shell-like actuators based on dielectric EAP in an airship hull. The airship will be propelled in a fish-like manner by sinusoidal bending of the body and a tail fin (Fig. 2).
compliant electrode

dielectric film

voltage off compliant electrode

Specifications Length 6 m Velocity 1 m/s Deflection angle up to 30 Strain up to 15 % Frequency 0.2 Hz

voltage on

Propulsion

Figure 1: Working principle of a dielectric EAP.

Figure 2: Nature inspired propulsion of an airship.

Approach
The final system will be approached with the following steps: Characterization of planar EAP mounted on envelope material on a biaxial loading device (Fig. 3a) Characterization of one bending segment of the airship hull (Fig. 3b) Development of an active of a tail fin (Fig. 3c) Composition of the final system Figure 3: Three steps to approach the final solution of an airships with fish-like propulsion.

Results
Active envelope segment A planar EAP actuator attached to gastight envelope material was characterized on a biaxial loading device. Activation voltage 3.5 kV: Max. strain: 32 % Strain at a frequency of 0.2 Hz: 10 % (Fig. 4) Efficiency at a load of 3 N: 14 % Bending body segment A qualitative feasibility study was made with different types of inflated bending body segments. The design of an internal rigid structure and the shape of the airship were practically evaluated in a workshop (Fig. 5). Maximum deflection angle actuated hull segment: 4 of an EAP Crescent fin (Tuna) 0.77 0.99 m/s Tail fin Tail fins made of light foam material or carbon reinforced foil were designed and characterized in flight tests.

Fin shape

Max. velocity

strain x [%]

voltage [kV]

Triangular fin (Trout) L = 0.63 m

B20

0.7 1.41 m/s

time [s]

Triangular fin (Trout) L=1m Figure 5: Qualitative studies on bending body segments.

B30

1.55 m/s

Figure 4: Biaxial strain test (Fx = Fy = 3N).

References
[1] [2] [3] Swiss Patent No. 6602005, S. Michel, G. Kovacs, and P. Lochmatter, Antrieb fr einen Leichter-als-Luft-Flugapparat. S. Michel, M. Bernasconi, A. Bormann, M. Zobel, E. Fink, Feasibility studies for a bionic blimp with a fish-like propulsion system. S. Michel, C. Drager, M. Zobel, E.Fink, Electro Active Polymers as a Novel Actuator Technology for Lighter-than-Air Vehicles.

Contact:

Christa Jordi

christa.jordi@empa.ch

+41 (0)44 823 47 72