Ductlings
Are
a product from the "DREAM" in
development.
The Ductlings are a family of small sport leisure aircrafts using "DUCT-VANE" technology with ducted fan (turbine) propulsion system
The concept is derived from the duck, an amphibious creature by nature who has migration process of using wetlands as there retreat for regenerating to move on to the next destination.
Some of the traits the Ductlings will have are
Canards
A low aspect ration lifting body
DUCT-VANE" technology
The D-WAV (Ductling Winged "A" frame Vehicle). my trade mark in the aircraft design.
Docile and forgiving flight controls, along with steady glide characteristics
An affordable amphibious hydroplane aircraft with the ability to takeoff and land just about anywhere.
To add a twist, the French, word for duck is "canard" in English "Canard" is a type of aircraft where one of the control surfaces is at the front, to control the rate of climb or decent. A classic example is the "Kitty Hawk" by the Wright brothers. Canard aircrafts are known to be not prone to stalling, A term where the plane is at a too steep angle of attack, and therefore loses it's lift capability. The canard system add a measure of control at lower speed.
A low aspect ration lifting bodies introduces another interesting feature typically wingless. This design provides less drag due to no fuselage, thereby increasing the lift capacity with a smaller mass because the body is the wing.
Blended Wing Body are a more recent study of lifting body blended with wing and possibly the way of the future.
The propulsion system is the introduction of the "DUCT-TAIL" now dubbed the "DUCT-VANE", these have the ability to direct the thrust and increasing the efficiency of controlled flight under power.
There are several influences that conclude the outcome of these concepts.
The simplicity of a hand glider started the idea of an ultra light aircraft in 1985.
Wing configuration, from Popular Science Dec. 1977 article, Ram-Wing X-114 1973 Leppisch design.
The FACETMOBILE Introducing the concept of Burnelli's Lifting Bodies and Blended Wing Body (BWB)
Canard system as a stabilizing measure for stable low speed flight.
Now, all Ductlings are based on these criterion.
My first duct fan plane using the lifting body technology borrowed from the FACETMOBILE with an interesting twist. The power train is borrowed from vector thrusting technology, I incorporated it by using a duct fan unit and a shroud shaped like a tail fin rudder coined "DUCT-TAIL" as the controlling vector for the vertical axis. The theory in the Duct-tail should provide a grater yaw control and possibly tighter turn.
A prototype was built and tested. The maiden flight was not successful due to the lack of mechanism for launching the plane. A problem with the CG was corrected by relocating the battery pack forward. Some modifications are scheduled to provide a proper grip for hand launching and relocating the controls for the rudder.
-
Balsa built-up
-
25" wingspan
-
21"
long -
22oz. complete
-
brushless motors 400W
-
40 amp ESC
-
Vasafan 65/1 Duct fan unit 480 g thrust
-
2000 mAh S4 LiPo
The
D-II
With new design to the Duct-Tail, introduces in a "V" tail configuration provided greater directional control under power. Hence, achieving vector trusting technology. This was inspired with a vision, see the development
A static model was built for feasibility. In the construction, new materials where discovered to increase strength and reduce weight.
DEPRON the material of choice is used with
surprising results.
-
Depron
construction -
30" wingspan
-
21" long
-
32oz. complete
The VeeBee is the third generation of the Ductlings, a Blended Wing Body (BWB) with the Duct-Tail now dubbed the "DUCT-VANE" a directional duct vane (fin like tail) with control surfaces. In a "V Tail", the configuration provides complete directional control under power, the control surfaces are still operational for a controlled glide without thrust through the vane.
-
Depron construction
-
30" wingspan
-
21" long
-
32oz.
complete -
2-brushless motors 400W
-
40 amp ESC
-
2-Vasafan 65/1 Duct fan unit 480 g thrust
-
2400 mAh S4 LiPo
The
D-WAV I
WAV (Winged "A" frame Vehicle) is the fourth generation of the Ductlings. In the attempt to improve the VeeBee's construction method and glide characteristics. A desire to investigate the structural frame was conducted. In building a 1/40 full scale or 1/4 model scale, discoveries concluded to a newer design. The WAV design is recalling the facet technology as the primary mode to build with. View the archive and you will find that there is a wedge in the designs, hence the "A" frame.
-
Depron
construction -
29" wingspan
-
23" long
-
30oz. complete
The
D-WAV II
WAV2 is the next step up with
the revised foil configuration. Improvements in the construction of the
"Duct-Vane"
With the D-WAV-II the foils where corrected to address the conflicting
flying characteristics at different speeds. This is explained in my
concept notes.
-
Depron construction
-
30"
wingspan -
29" long
-
30oz. complete
-
2-brushless motors 400W
-
40 amp ESC
-
2-Vasafan 65/1 Duct fan unit 480 g thrust
-
2400 mAh S4 LiPo
The X-DLB-0
(eXperimental Ducting Lifting Body)
The X series is about investigating lifting body configurations. This particular concept did evolve from several generation beginning with the Locus a short stubby canard type aircraft. Over time this had many innovations to improve the characteristics in being the canard in water. One particular concept holds true to the existing development, and that is the FireFly was exploited though the DragonSleigh and became this new concept. Until January 2007 a unique modification to simplify construction using facet design a wedge principles of a paper airplane was introduced inverting the tail fin in a downward positions has become the driving signature of the X-DLB series
Project Details
The X-DLB-1
The X series is about investigating lifting body configurations. A true lifting body by definition, The X-DLD-1 was the first to be built in the X series as a wide body for load baring and stability. The tail fin configuration was developed with this model extensively and proved to be the stabling factor with testing, since lifting bodies have a history of unstable roll. With the new tail fin configuration many new possibilities will evolve.
<
HOME
|
Concepts
| Design
| Design
tools |
Sport /
Combat |
Gliders
|
My Hangar |
Back >
< Projects
|
CAD Drawings
|
FREE
drawing viewer
>