Multicopter Engineering Project Survey

[multicopteruser]

Hi! We are a group of students part of the Industrial Engineering Department at Clemson University looking to design a product that would allow a multicopter to have a successful water landing. Please help us by filling out the survey linked below. We would also like to add other features as well. We would greatly appreciate any comments, questions, or ideas to produce a product that would be used by the public. We are still in the early design phases so we need your input! Please feel free to send this survey to other multicopter users so we can have a large input. Thanks again for all the help!


https://docs.google.com/a/g.clemson...t3qB6eNyjW5ZsUHjlKNvQ20/viewform#start=invite

 

[Hughie]

Hi! We are a group of students part of the Industrial Engineering Department at Clemson University looking to design a product that would allow a drone to have a successful water landing. Please help us by filling out the survey linked below. We would also like to add other features as well. We would greatly appreciate any comments, questions, or ideas to produce a product that would be used by the public. We are still in the early design phases so we need your input! Please feel free to send this survey to other drone users so we can have a large input. Thanks again for all the help!


https://docs.google.com/a/g.clemson...t3qB6eNyjW5ZsUHjlKNvQ20/viewform#start=invite

My first suggestion is to stop calling them drones.

 

[N017RW]

Hi! We are a group of students part of the Industrial Engineering Department at Clemson University looking to design a product that would allow a drone to have a successful water landing. Please help us by filling out the survey linked below. We would also like to add other features as well. We would greatly appreciate any comments, questions, or ideas to produce a product that would be used by the public. We are still in the early design phases so we need your input! Please feel free to send this survey to other drone users so we can have a large input. Thanks again for all the help!


https://docs.google.com/a/g.clemson...t3qB6eNyjW5ZsUHjlKNvQ20/viewform#start=invite

My first suggestion is to stop calling them drones.

Too late.

 

[syotr]

There is definitely a market for a waterproof, floating multicopter. I read nearly every day about another one that was lost in the ocean or lake.
Several are already available:
http://www.quadh2o.com/
http://www.stealth2o.com/
http://www.aquacopters.com/
http://dexmodels.com/
http://www.fpvfactory.com/

I have built my own in a Dex shell:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2219510
You will discover that there are many challenges.
Making the craft light enough to float and fly efficiently
Making the craft handle well in the wind
Keeping the ESC's (Electronic Speed Controls) cool
Venting to atmosphere for the barometer in the flight controller
Preventing the motor bearings from rusting in salt water
Waterproofing the camera and gimbal if used
Waterproofing the FPV system
Getting a long enough flight time

Good luck with your project and let me know if I can be of help.
Bob

 

[PhantomFanatic]

Don't we already have that? At least if your (non-drone) has floating devices attached to the landing gears and it lands gear down. How do you waterproof a drone, when vents are a good idea for ESCs and you will have cables coming out to gimbals, etc.? I can see how an O-ring could be put between upper and lower shells. But, how will you address the other issues?

 

[PhantomFanatic]

Hi! We are a group of students part of the Industrial Engineering Department at Clemson University looking to design a product that would allow a drone to have a successful water landing. Please help us by filling out the survey linked below. We would also like to add other features as well. We would greatly appreciate any comments, questions, or ideas to produce a product that would be used by the public. We are still in the early design phases so we need your input! Please feel free to send this survey to other drone users so we can have a large input. Thanks again for all the help!


https://docs.google.com/a/g.clemson...t3qB6eNyjW5ZsUHjlKNvQ20/viewform#start=invite

My first suggestion is to stop calling them drones.

Too late.

I'm guilty of using that term here. But, since the media has attached negativity to the word "drones," it might be best to use quad copters. But, that only only applies to four rotors. So, what about "Multi-Rotor?" But that begs for another word after it. So, gang, what do you suggest?

 

[syotr]

Don't we already have that? At least if your (non-drone) has floating devices attached to the landing gears and it lands gear down. How do you waterproof a drone, when vents are a good idea for ESCs and you will have cables coming out to gimbals, etc.? I can see how an O-ring could be put between upper and lower shells. But, how will you address the other issues?

For my build, I used a Dex shell which is watertight. I used heat sinks which penetrated the shell and were attached to the ESC's.
For pressure equalization, I used patches of Gortex. Wires that came through the shell were sealed with liquid electrical tape.
Gimbal boards can be installed inside the shell or sealed with CorrosionX. The GoPro can be sealed in a plastic bag with a window and still be light enough to work in the gimbal.

 

[syotr]

Waterproofing the GoPro without the underwater housing.

 

[CDStuff]

Is the issue landing on the water or just flying over it? I fly my Phantom 60% over the water to film surfers and from my experience it is the safest way to fly without crashing. There are no trees, telephone poles, unseen wires, buildings, and no obstructions to block your line of sight sight or reduce your wifi reception. The only issue is to allow sufficient battery charge to return the Phantom to the shore in order to land.

 

[kitari]

Here's another one that can take off and land on water. Even has a waterproof camera case.

I seen another quadcopter project on youtube that could takeoff, land, and even dive into the water. I can't find the link, but if I see it again, I'll be sure to post it. Personally, I don't think it would be a problem at all to do something like a quad that can takeoff and land in water, and then have a 5th prop with rudder control to make it cruise on the water.