@inproceedings{ThomaFisherBraun2020,
  author    = {Thoma, Andreas and Fisher, Alex and Braun, Carsten},
  title     = {Improving the px4 avoid algorithm by bio-inspired flight strategies},
  series = {DLRK2020 - „Luft- und Raumfahrt - Verantwortung in allen Dimensionen"},
  booktitle = {DLRK2020 - „Luft- und Raumfahrt - Verantwortung in allen Dimensionen"},
  doi       = {10.25967/530183},
  pages     = {10 Seiten},
  year      = {2020},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ThomessenThomaBraun2023,
  author    = {Thomessen, Karolin and Thoma, Andreas and Braun, Carsten},
  title     = {Bio-inspired altitude changing extension to the 3DVFH* local obstacle avoidance algorithm},
  series = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  journal   = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {Wien},
  issn      = {1869-5590 (Online)},
  doi       = {10.1007/s13272-023-00691-w},
  pages     = {11 Seiten},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Obstacle avoidance is critical for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating autonomously. Obstacle avoidance algorithms either rely on global environment data or local sensor data. Local path planners react to unforeseen objects and plan purely on local sensor information. Similarly, animals need to find feasible paths based on local information about their surroundings. Therefore, their behavior is a valuable source of inspiration for path planning. Bumblebees tend to fly vertically over far-away obstacles and horizontally around close ones, implying two zones for different flight strategies depending on the distance to obstacles. This work enhances the local path planner 3DVFH* with this bio-inspired strategy. The algorithm alters the goal-driven function of the 3DVFH* to climb-preferring if obstacles are far away. Prior experiments with bumblebees led to two definitions of flight zone limits depending on the distance to obstacles, leading to two algorithm variants. Both variants reduce the probability of not reaching the goal of a 3DVFH* implementation in Matlab/Simulink. The best variant, 3DVFH*b-b, reduces this probability from 70.7 to 18.6\% in city-like worlds using a strong vertical evasion strategy. Energy consumption is higher, and flight paths are longer compared to the algorithm version with pronounced horizontal evasion tendency. A parameter study analyzes the effect of different weighting factors in the cost function. The best parameter combination shows a failure probability of 6.9\% in city-like worlds and reduces energy consumption by 28\%. Our findings demonstrate the potential of bio-inspired approaches for improving the performance of local path planning algorithms for UAV.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MoehrenBergmannJanseretal.2023,
  author    = {M{\"o}hren, Felix and Bergmann, Ole and Janser, Frank and Braun, Carsten},
  title     = {On the influence of elasticity on propeller performance: a parametric study},
  series = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  volume    = {14},
  journal   = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  publisher = {Springer Nature},
  address   = {Berlin},
  issn      = {1869-5590 (Online)},
  doi       = {10.1007/s13272-023-00649-y},
  pages     = {311 -- 323},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {The aerodynamic performance of propellers strongly depends on their geometry and, consequently, on aeroelastic deformations. Knowledge of the extent of the impact is crucial for overall aircraft performance. An integrated simulation environment for steady aeroelastic propeller simulations is presented. The simulation environment is applied to determine the impact of elastic deformations on the aerodynamic propeller performance. The aerodynamic module includes a blade element momentum approach to calculate aerodynamic loads. The structural module is based on finite beam elements, according to Timoshenko theory, including moderate deflections. Several fixed-pitch propellers with thin-walled cross sections made of both isotropic and non-isotropic materials are investigated. The essential parameters are varied: diameter, disc loading, sweep, material, rotational, and flight velocity. The relative change of thrust between rigid and elastic blades quantifies the impact of propeller elasticity. Swept propellers of large diameters or low disc loadings can decrease the thrust significantly. High flight velocities and low material stiffness amplify this tendency. Performance calculations without consideration of propeller elasticity can lead to decreased efficiency. To avoid cost- and time-intense redesigns, propeller elasticity should be considered for swept planforms and low disc loadings.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GoettenHavermannBraunetal.2020,
  author    = {G{\"o}tten, Falk and Havermann, Marc and Braun, Carsten and Marino, Matthew and Bil, Cees},
  title     = {Wind-tunnel and CFD investigations of UAV landing gears and turrets - Improvements in empirical drag estimation},
  series = {Aerospace Science and Technology},
  volume    = {107},
  journal   = {Aerospace Science and Technology},
  number    = {Art. 106306},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Amsterdam},
  issn      = {1270-9638},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.ast.2020.106306},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {This paper analyzes the drag characteristics of several landing gear and turret configurations that are representative of unmanned aircraft tricycle landing gears and sensor turrets. A variety of these components were constructed via 3D-printing and analyzed in a wind-tunnel measurement campaign. Both turrets and landing gears were attached to a modular fuselage that supported both isolated components and multiple components at a time. Selected cases were numerically investigated with a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes approach that showed good accuracy when compared to wind-tunnel data. The drag of main gear struts could be significantly reduced via streamlining their cross-sectional shape and keeping load carrying capabilities similar. The attachment of wheels introduced interference effects that increased strut drag moderately but significantly increased wheel drag compared to isolated cases. Very similar behavior was identified for front landing gears. The drag of an electro-optical and infrared sensor turret was found to be much higher than compared to available data of a clean hemisphere-cylinder combination. This turret drag was merely influenced by geometrical features like sensor surfaces and the rotational mechanism. The new data of this study is used to develop simple drag estimation recommendations for main and front landing gear struts and wheels as well as sensor turrets. These recommendations take geometrical considerations and interference effects into account.},
  language  = {en}
}
@inproceedings{KapoorBraunBoller2010,
  author    = {Kapoor, Hrshi and Braun, Carsten and Boller, Christian},
  title     = {Modelling and optimisation of maintenance intervals to realize structural health monitoring applications on aircraft},
  series = {Structural health monitoring 2010 : proceedings of the Fifth European Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring held at Sorrento, Naples, Italy, June 28 - July 4, 2010 ; [EWSHM]},
  booktitle = {Structural health monitoring 2010 : proceedings of the Fifth European Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring held at Sorrento, Naples, Italy, June 28 - July 4, 2010 ; [EWSHM]},
  editor    = {Casciati, Fabio},
  publisher = {DEStech Publ.},
  address   = {Lancaster, Pa.},
  isbn      = {978-1-60595-024-2},
  pages     = {55 -- 63},
  year      = {2010},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ThomaGardiFisheretal.2024,
  author    = {Thoma, Andreas and Gardi, Alessandro and Fisher, Alex and Braun, Carsten},
  title     = {Improving local path planning for UAV flight in challenging environments by refining cost function weights},
  series = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  journal   = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {Wien},
  issn      = {1869-5590 (eISSN)},
  doi       = {10.1007/s13272-024-00741-x},
  pages     = {12 Seiten},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) constantly gain in versatility. However, more reliable path planning algorithms are required until full autonomous UAV operation is possible. This work investigates the algorithm 3DVFH* and analyses its dependency on its cost function weights in 2400 environments. The analysis shows that the 3DVFH* can find a suitable path in every environment. However, a particular type of environment requires a specific choice of cost function weights. For minimal failure, probability interdependencies between the weights of the cost function have to be considered. This dependency reduces the number of control parameters and simplifies the usage of the 3DVFH*. Weights for costs associated with vertical evasion (pitch cost) and vicinity to obstacles (obstacle cost) have the highest influence on the failure probability of the local path planner. Environments with mainly very tall buildings (like large American city centres) require a preference for horizontal avoidance manoeuvres (achieved with high pitch cost weights). In contrast, environments with medium-to-low buildings (like European city centres) benefit from vertical avoidance manoeuvres (achieved with low pitch cost weights). The cost of the vicinity to obstacles also plays an essential role and must be chosen adequately for the environment. Choosing these two weights ideal is sufficient to reduce the failure probability below 10\%.},
  language  = {en}
}
@inproceedings{MoehrenBergmannJanseretal.2023,
  author    = {M{\"o}hren, Felix and Bergmann, Ole and Janser, Frank and Braun, Carsten},
  title     = {On the determination of harmonic propeller loads},
  series = {AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum},
  booktitle = {AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum},
  publisher = {AIAA},
  doi       = {10.2514/6.2023-2404},
  pages     = {12 Seiten},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Dynamic loads significantly impact the structural design of propeller blades due to fatigue and static strength. Since propellers are elastic structures, deformations and aerodynamic loads are coupled. In the past, propeller manufacturers established procedures to determine unsteady aerodynamic loads and the structural response with analytical steady-state calculations. According to the approach, aeroelastic coupling primarily consists of torsional deformations. They neglect bending deformations, deformation velocities, and inertia terms. This paper validates the assumptions above for a General Aviation propeller and a lift propeller for urban air mobility or large cargo drones. Fully coupled reduced-order simulations determine the dynamic loads in the time domain. A quasi-steady blade element momentum approach transfers loads to one-dimensional finite beam elements. The simulation results are in relatively good agreement with the analytical method for the General Aviation propeller but show increasing errors for the slender lift propeller. The analytical approach is modified to consider the induced velocities. Still, inertia and velocity proportional terms play a significant role for the lift propeller due to increased elasticity. The assumption that only torsional deformations significantly impact the dynamic loads of propellers is not valid. Adequate determination of dynamic loads of such designs requires coupled aeroelastic simulations or advanced analytical procedures.},
  language  = {en}
}
@inproceedings{GoettenHavermannBraunetal.2018,
  author    = {G{\"o}tten, Falk and Havermann, Marc and Braun, Carsten and Gomez, Francisco and Bil, Cees},
  title     = {On the Applicability of Empirical Drag Estimation Methods for Unmanned Air Vehicle Design Read More: https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.2018-3192},
  series = {2018 Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, AIAA AVIATION Forum},
  booktitle = {2018 Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, AIAA AVIATION Forum},
  issn      = {1533-385X},
  doi       = {10.2514/6.2018-3192},
  pages     = {Article 3192},
  year      = {2018},
  language  = {en}
}
@inproceedings{BraunBouckeBallmann2005,
  author    = {Braun, Carsten and Boucke, Alexander and Ballmann, Josef},
  title     = {Numerical prediction of the wing deformation of a high speed transport aircraft type wind tunnel model by direct aeroelastic simulation},
  series = {Conference proceedings : CEAS/AIAA/DGLR International Forum on Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics IFASD 2005 : M{\"u}nchen, June 28 - July 1, 2005. DGLR-Bericht. 2005,04},
  booktitle = {Conference proceedings : CEAS/AIAA/DGLR International Forum on Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics IFASD 2005 : M{\"u}nchen, June 28 - July 1, 2005. DGLR-Bericht. 2005,04},
  publisher = {DGLR},
  address   = {Bonn},
  isbn      = {3-932182-43-X},
  pages     = {1 CD-ROM},
  year      = {2005},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GoettenHavermannBraunetal.2019,
  author    = {G{\"o}tten, Falk and Havermann, Marc and Braun, Carsten and Gomez, Francisco and Bil, Cees},
  title     = {RANS Simulation Validation of a Small Sensor Turret for UAVs},
  series = {Journal of Aerospace Engineering},
  volume    = {32},
  journal   = {Journal of Aerospace Engineering},
  number    = {5},
  publisher = {ASCE},
  address   = {New York},
  issn      = {1943-5525},
  doi       = {10.1061/(ASCE)AS.1943-5525.0001055},
  pages     = {Article number 04019060},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Recent Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) design procedures rely on full aircraft steady-state Reynolds-Averaged-Navier-Stokes (RANS) analyses in early design stages. Small sensor turrets are included in such simulations, even though their aerodynamic properties show highly unsteady behavior. Very little is known about the effects of this approach on the simulation outcomes of small turrets. Therefore, the flow around a model turret at a Reynolds number of 47,400 is simulated with a steady-state RANS approach and compared to experimental data. Lift, drag, and surface pressure show good agreement with the experiment. The RANS model predicts the separation location too far downstream and shows a larger recirculation region aft of the body. Both characteristic arch and horseshoe vortex structures are visualized and qualitatively match the ones found by the experiment. The Reynolds number dependence of the drag coefficient follows the trend of a sphere within a distinct range. The outcomes indicate that a steady-state RANS model of a small sensor turret is able to give results that are useful for UAV engineering purposes but might not be suited for detailed insight into flow properties.},
  language  = {en}
}