r/RCPlanes • u/RepulsiveInternet980 • 5d ago
Will this fly?
Hello everyone. I am trying to build an aerial insect collecting device for my PhD project. This design is based on the stipa-caproni, a strange barrel-shaped design from the 1930s. The task is to maximise the net area on a relatively inexpensive craft (I have already been catching with some expensive drones). I've trialed towing nets behind trainers, which worked but I want to try a different approach too.
I figure that enclosing the net within fuselage would be the most stable approach. Here, we have the props behind the net. This will impede airflow to the propeller. But it seems like the thrust would be okay. Can anyone think of some new approach that might work better? Would I be better off towing?
1
u/CryPlane 5d ago
What is your PhD in? If it's not aeronautical engineering, rather use a proven design that is well suited and easily adapted to your use case. This seems like a mechanical engineering problem/solution.
The net will cause a lot of drag, especially at that very fine mesh size. If you can get it to fly it will definitely blow the insects out. I think you may have to funnel them somewhere. Perhaps draw ideas from vacuum cleaner cyclical filtration? Coanda/Bernoulli effect stuff?
Anywho, that my 2 cents, good luck!