Could a combustion engine powered auxiliary power unit (APU) be installed on a quad rotor aircraft that is light and powerful enough to maintain a charge of the main battery that is used to power the motors and avionics? In other words, could a small engine powering a generator keep up with the electrical demands of the aircraft that would have to carry it and the fuel?
Here is a link to a company that produces generators for conventional RC aircraft:
Food for thought at least.
Replies
Most of the demand is steady state. There is no coasting. You would have to build a generator that would supply primary power AND additional to charge the batteries. The battery would provide additional power when climbing.
Someone here is working on a variable pitch quad rotor driven by a single gas engine. That is a better solution than the extreme complexity of a engine and generator and batteries and motor and electronics to make it all work. Even that is a complex scheme.
It just proves there is no such thing as a free lunch.
I remember that on a picture in Model Helicopter World, it pointed out that a Jet powered helicopter had a generator mounted.
Well just go and search, I have no clue to the power needed and if it is efficient with regards to the added weight.
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