Parameter Selection and Optimization Algorithm for Low-overload Compressed Air Launch of Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Based on Particle Swarm Optimization

doi:10.12382/bgxb.2024.0014

Abstract

Abstract:

To further improve the internal ballistic characteristics during the compressed air launch process of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),an internal ballistic model of the launch process is established by utilizing the thermodynamics and gas dynamics theories based on the structure and working mechanism of the compressed air launch system.The validity of the model is verified through simulation calculations and launch tests.The variation patterns of internal ballistic performance parameters with respect to the area and full-open time of pulse valve and the initial volumes of high- and low-pressure chambers are studied.An improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm based on the submunition principle is used to optimize the launch parameters,and the effectiveness of the optimized results is analyzed and verified.The results show that the pulse valve area has a positive correlation with the peak overload of UAV and significantly affects the mass flow rate of gas.The peak overload of UAV can be effectively reduced by increasing the full-open time of pulse valve.The volume of high-pressure chamber mainly influences the internal ballistic performance by altering the gas mass flow rate,and a larger volume of high-pressure chamber results in more noticeable changes in the pressure difference between the high-and low-pressure chambers.Reasonably increasing the low-pressure chamber volume can effectively reduce the peak acceleration while having a minor effect on the exit velocity of UAV,thereby enhancing the stability of UAV during launch process.The improved PSO algorithm effectively optimizes the parameter selection for low-overload compressed air launch of small UAVs.The research outcomes provide theoretical guidance for the selection,design,testing,and engineering application of compressed air launch parameters of UAVs.

Key words: unmanned aerial vehicle, compressed air launch system, internal ballistic characteristics, particle swarm optimization algorithm

CLC Number:

TJ768.2⁺1

ZHANG Fenglin, DONG Yihao, XIN Jianshe, GUO Liping, GU Xuechen, QU Jiaqi. Parameter Selection and Optimization Algorithm for Low-overload Compressed Air Launch of Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Based on Particle Swarm Optimization[J]. Acta Armamentarii, 2025, 46(2): 240014-.

Figures/Tables 39

Fig.1 Schematic diagram and parameters definition of compressed air launch model

Fig.2 Force analysis of UAV launching process

Table1 Simulation parameter

参数	数值
绝热指数r	1.4
气体常数R/(J·kg^-1·K^-1)	287.05
空气定容比热c_v/(J·kg^-1·K^-1)	717.6
发射筒长L/m	1.03
发射角度L/(°)	30
低压室横截面积S_l/m²	0.020 1
弹托面积A_T/m²	0.016 7
脉冲阀流通面积S_P/m²	0.001 3
脉冲阀全开时间t_P/ms	30
高压室初始温度T_h0/K	298
低压室初始容积V₀/m²	0.003 3
低压室初始温度T₀/K	298
低压室初始压强p₀/Pa	101 325

Fig.3 Changing curves of acceleration over time under different pressures

Fig.4 Changing curves of velocity over time under different pressures

Fig.5 Changing curves of gas mass flow over time under different pressures

Fig.6 Temperature variation curves of the high-pressure chamber over time under different pressures

Fig.7 Variation curves of temperature difference between high and low pressure chambers over time under different pressures

Fig.8 Schematic diagram of the structure of compressed air launch device

Fig.9 Compressed air launch device assembly

Fig.10 Compressed air launch test diagram

Table 2 Parameters of compressed air launch test

参数	数值
模拟无人机质量/kg	7
弹托质量/kg	1
储气罐容积/L	25
发射筒直径/mm	160
发射筒长/mm	1030

Fig.11 Comparison of experimental and simulated accelerations

Fig.12 Comparison of experimental and simulated results

Table 3 Comparson of experimental and simulated ejecting velocities

参数	高压室压强/MPa
参数	0.6	0.7	0.8
高速摄像机拍摄速度/(m·s^-1)	30.89	32.07	33.99
仿真出筒速度/(m·s^-1)	32.16	33.42	35.68
误差/%	4.11	4.04	4.97

Table 4 Comparson of experimental and simulated peak accelerations

参数	高压室压强/MPa
参数	0.6	0.7	0.8
试验峰值加速度/(m·s^-2)	756.34	820.49	931.08
仿真峰值加速度/(m·s^-2)	745.49	809.30	920.56
误差/%	1.43	1.36	1.13

Fig.13 Pulse valve area-time curve

Fig.14 Changing curves of acceleration over time in the case of different valve areas

Fig.15 Changing curves of mass flow over time in the case of different valve diameters

Fig.16 Changing curves of temperature of high pressure chamber over time in the case of different valve diameters

Fig.17 Pressure curves of high pressure chamber over time undein the caser different valve diameters

Fig.18 Changing curves of valve area over time at different valve opening times

Fig.19 Changing curves of acceleration over time at different valve opening times

Fig.20 Changing curves of speed over time at different valve opening times

Fig.21 Changing curves of gas mass flow over time at different valve opening times

Fig.22 Pressure changes of high and low pressure chambers at the opening time of valve 30ms

Fig.23 Pressure changes of high and low pressure chambers at the opening time of 30ms

Fig.24 Changing curves of velocity over time under different volumes

Fig.25 Changing curves of gas mass flow over time under different volumes

Fig.26 Changing curves of temperature of high pressure chamber over time under different volumes

Fig.27 Changing curves of temperature differences of high and low pressure chamber over time under different high pressure chamber volumes

Fig.28 Changing curves of UAV acceleration over time under different low pressure chamber volumes

Fig.29 Changing curves of UAV velocity over time under different low pressure chamber volumes

Fig.30 Changing curves of gas mass flow over time under different low pressure chamber volumes

Fig.31 Changing curves of temperature difference of high/low pressure chambers over time under different low pressure chamber volumes

Fig.32 CBPSO computational flowchart[22]

Fig.33 The change of acceleration fitness value in each iteration

Table 5 Comparison of launch parameter optimization results

发射参数	PSO算法	CBPSO算法
高压室压强/MPa	0.673	0.792
高压室容积/L	21	35
低压室容积/L	8.5	13.0
脉冲阀全开时间/ms	80.3	86.9
阀门直径/mm	64.8	35.2
速度/(m·s^-1)	31.05	30.02
加速度/(m·s^-2)	605.78	495.47

Fig.34 Accelerations before and after optimization

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