Another look at a 1930s' Cyclogyro Flying Robot
October 29, 2007
Researchers are making another attempt at building a flying machine that uses the unique "cyclogyro" mechanism for generating a lifting force. So-called cyclogyro planes are supported in the air by power-driven rotors on wings that rotate about a horizontal axis, similar to the paddle wheels of a steamboat. Although cyclogyros were originally invented in the 1930s and a few companies have built different versions of the machine, there are no records of any successful flights.
Now, a group of researchers has proposed a new wing design for a cyclogyro-based flying robot. Kazuo Tanaka and colleagues have published their proposal in a recent issue of IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics. They carried out several tests to study the effects of different designs, and successfully demonstrated a cyclogyro robot that could overcome its own weight and generate enough lift force for flying.
Cyclogyros have the potential to be highly maneuverable flying robots due to their method of operation, making them potentially more suitable for complex tasks than helicopters and other micro air vehicles (MAVs) with less maneuverability.
The biggest challenge in designing the cyclogyros is varying the angle of attack of the rotating wings. This ability would enable the plan to change altitude, hover, and fly in reverse. To achieve this quick angle variation, the researchers introduced an eccentric (rotational) point in addition to a rotational point connected to a motor. Using a flying robot prototype with this new mechanism for achieving a variable angle of attack, the researchers demonstrated the ability to lift off and hover along a vertical guide.
Because this was an initial feasibility study, the researchers plan to continue making several improvements, including synchronizing the robot's motors so it can stably fly by itself, as well as equipping the robot with an onboard battery.
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