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Radioshack quad copter6/9/2023 ![]() Variable Pitch Quadrotor Mechanics - Very similar to a standard variable pitch tail rotor.Īchieving thrust reversal (at least when it comes to efficiency). To understand the basic principle of how these work, just think of a quadrotor having a conventional variable pitch tail rotor running horizontally on each of the four quad booms/arms. In essence these are collective pitch quadcopters (CPMR - collective pitch multi rotor perhaps)? Quadcopter running on the same voltage & capacity LiPo battery pack.ģD Quadcopter Thrust Reversal By Propeller Pitch Changeįor all you collective pitch RC helicopter pilots out there - this design/method of thrust reversal makes the most sense. Up is just how much power is used up (wasted) when an electric motorįlight times are Easily Reduced by 50% over that of the same size conventional fixed pitch One was already mentioned - the dual direction propellers. Efficiency, or rather lack thereof.Īre two efficiency issues with the the direction change thrust reversal The Blade 200QX was very inexpensive not to mention so many people already had one and all they had to do is download the free firmware, install a set of 3D quad props for it (about $14 bucks), and were in inverted business.Īs a collective pitch inverted practice aid - it simply can't be beat! Unfortunately, not many saw it that way and the proverbial plug was pulled.Īt any rate, as simple as the "directional motor change" method of quadrotor thrust reversal is, there is one fairly big problem with it. Sad, but true.īlade 200QX 3D Quad with 3D Firmware & propeller updates There is simply very little interest in a quad rotor that takes almost as much skill to pilot as a collective pitch helicopter. Why?Įasy - they actually take skill to fly, something that few quad fliers want to learn as quads are all about easy out of the box flying. For the price, this one is was hard to beat and anyone who already has a 200QX, it was definitely a worthwhile (and free) firmware update to perform.Īs popular as I figured these would be, they never caught on. ![]() In fact, Blade was the first to offer this 3D firmware update for their little Blade 200QX quadrotor. To convert his/her quad to a 3D quadcopter are 4 reversing ESC's and One direction is much more efficient than a dual direction prop, perhaps as much as 30%.Īssuming the proper firmware updates were available all one would need Is an efficiency cost however with these "dual direction" props. Will produce negative thrust if you reverse them, but they're extremelyģD Quadcopter Fixed Pitch Dual Direction PropellersĮdges and are 100% symmetrical in design so they can be run in both directions (CW & CCW) with equal amounts of positive and negative thrust produced when spinning in either direction. Specific direction (either clockwise or counter-clockwise). Propellers as you likely know are purpose designed to rotate in a Last important ingredient are the propellers. Stick position" (at least with a linear throttle curve as seen in the video below). Speed control in both directions on either side of the "mid throttle Proportional motor speed control as all ESC's do, it also allows that Reversing ESC does exactly what it says it does. That all brushed motors would fail from in short order if they wereĬonstantly being subjected to direction changes. Reversal with no harmful and accelerated wear & tear on the motor Technology that makes this possible because they allow sudden and fast There are basically three individual items that make the "direction change" method possible: This method was also popular because on some quads, it was as simple as a firmware update to have 3D capability if they one chose. ![]() ![]() Motor direction change was the most popular method because it costs less and is not as mechanically complex as changing the pitch angle of the propeller blades. & less costly repairs along with an inherently more robust and mechanically simple aircraft to practice with.ģD Quadcopter Thrust Reversal By Motor Direction Change They certainly don't look as pretty or sound nearly as good while doing them, but to each their own.Īs an aerobatic single rotor collective pitch practiceĪid however, I can see some fairly important benefits in a 3D quadcopter namely easier In other words, a quadcopter that can do many of the same aerobatic maneuvers a collective pitch RC helicopter can. The 3D quadcopter.īy 3D, I mean a quadrotor that can sustain inverted flight by reversing the thrust of the propellers just as a collective pitch RC helicopter can reverse the thrust of the main rotor blades. You know it they had to try it sooner or later.
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