Abstract
Miniature personal aerial vehicles (PAVs) with vertical take-off and
landing (VTOL) capabilities offer numerous advantages over existing
vehicles, particularly in terms of high maneuverability, manned flight
capability, and load-carrying capacity required during rescue missions.
However, the detailed research work was reported infrequently. In this
paper, a miniature PAV capable of piloted operation in both standing and
sitting postures is introduced. This PAV, weighing 45kg and measuring
45cm*87cm*154cm, is designed for easy transport and minimal spatial
footprint. It incorporates five vertically arranged micro turbojet
engines that enable VTOL capabilities and can carry loads exceeding
100kg while maintaining high maneuverability. Notably, a
two-degree-of-freedom nozzle mechanism attached to the engines allows
for precise thrust direction adjustments. Building upon this propulsion
system and the physical model of the PAV, a cascade
proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller is specifically
designed for the PAV to regulate its position and attitude.
Additionally, a feed-forward-based proportional-derivative (PD)
controller is implemented to enhance the engine’s thrust response. The
PAV prototype underwent rigorous testing in various outdoor conditions,
ranging from temperatures of -7℃ to 42℃ and wind speeds of 0 to 7.2m/s.
The test results substantiate the feasibility of the proposed PAV’s
working principles, demonstrating its adaptability to environmental
fluctuations. While the focus of this paper lies on the miniature PAV
system, its implications extend to broader applications within advanced
air mobility research.