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Eclipse

Eclipse

Introduction

Aircraft Name

Eclipse

Aircraft Name

Eclipse

High level specs.

  • 1.5 meter wing span

  • Maximum take off weight = 5 kg

  • 6S battery voltage

  • x1 6S battery

  • Tail dragger configuration

  • 1 nose motor

  • Conventional T-tail

Goals and Purpose

Primary Purpose:

  • Learn how to design fixed wings → mechanical design skills

  • Learn how to operate fixed wings → ardupilot & pilot skills

Secondary Purpose:

  • Flight test bench for EE and EFS new CAN architecture.

  • Testing EFS milestones M2 and M3

  • Testing EE ZP3 hardware designs

Budget and Quantity

Budget:

  • Less expensive than fancy composites but more expensive than a small foam fixed wing plane

  • Aluminum frame + foam panels

Related Resources

BOM

This lists all the components necessary to make Eclipse take-off. Some parts may be listed as “optional”.

Flight Control System and Electrical Components

Part Function

Part Name & Link

Qty

Notes

Flight controller

Pixhawk 6X

1

  • Mounted level in central location

  • Vibration dampened but robust mounting

  • Mounting holes are M2, but the dimensions are not in their diagram. You will have to look at the existing mount and/or measure the Pixhawk

  • All ports accessible

Power Module

PM02D

1

  • Power leads and white JST port accessible

 

ESC

APD 120 F3 or Flycolor 80A

1

  • Case design already exists for APD ESC

    • This ESC is kinda overkill

    • This ESC is expensive.

    • Can be subbed in with a cheaper one in the future.

  • Expose this to air for cooling if possible

Battery

6S Battery: 4500 mAh LiHV batteries

1

  • We have 60 batteries in the Bay

  • Dimensions: 140 mm x 43 mm x 48 mm

ELRS Receiver

https://rotorvillage.ca/happymodel-expresslrs-tcxo-ep1-dual-rx/

1

  • Antennas exposed, solder pads accessible

 

Analog Camera

https://rotorvillage.ca/caddx-baby-ratel-2-fpv-camera/

1

  • Facing forward and mounted on the nose with the motor

  • Max V_in = 40 V

VTX

XILO STAX 5.8GHz FPV Video Transmitter (25-600mW) w/ Smart Audio

1

  • Intended for use during take-off and landing so heating is not a major concern

  • How exposed depends on what Tx power and on time we wanna use on the VTX

  • Max Vin = 36V

Airspeed Sensor

Pitot tube

1

  • Mounted below the wing, and half way across the span of the left wing

  • Has CAN passthrough capability

Magnetometer

Holybro DroneCAN RM3100 Professional Grade Compass (42cm)

1

  • Must be mounted level. Can be upside down

  • Away from metal and radios, and high current wires

    • DO NOT mount near motors and batteries

GPS

https://holybro.com/collections/dronecan-gps-module/products/dronecan-m9n-gps

2

  • Mounted on the wing tips to maximize accuracy

  • Must be mounted level and away from high current wires and metals

  • Safety switch must be accessible

Rangefinder

Benewake TF02-Pro LIDAR LED Rangefinder IP65 (40m) - RobotShop

1

  • Downwards facing lidar to measure altitude

    • Must have unobstructed view of ground

Servo module

https://uwarg-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/EL/pages/2596929559/6S+Servo+Module?search_id=c3260b70-5085-4a1c-b8da-0c2765872da3

 

Single Servo Driver

https://warg.365.altium.com/designs/DFA92F42-21FC-4CDF-83E5-0DB94E84ABC7#design

 

https://uwarg-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/EL/pages/2690416653

CAN Splitter

https://warg.365.altium.com/designs/A3BFF15E-6855-48FA-B8A6-B31C2041AA33

 

https://uwarg-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ARCHS22/pages/2555904119

RPI Adapter

https://uwarg-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/EL/pages/2561605642/RPi+Interface?search_id=5a3d4759-3838-4ee3-8202-4a807234f790

 

  • Not flown initially. Potentially in the future if RPI is mounted on Eclipse

Isolated HD Camera

Runcam Thumb

 

 

Connectors

https://uwarg-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/EL/pages/2875654161

  • XT30&XT60

  • JST GH

  • XT60 2+4

 

 

Manufacturing Materials

Part Function

Part Name and Function

Qty

Notes

Wing spar and tail boom

  • 0.75” x 0.065” wall thickness aluminum square tube (x3)

3

  • Wing spar tubes are the same length, tail boom is different

  • Procured from E3 EMS

Electronics mounting plate

  • 1/8” thick aluminum sheet

2

  • Waterjet aluminum plates to mount electronics, wing spars, and tail boom on

Standoffs

  • 3/8” solid aluminum rounds

9

  • Machined to size on the lathe

  • Spaces the battery plate and the electronics plate

  • Spaces the electronics plate and the wing spar and tail boom

Balsa ribs

1

  • 1x pack of 20

  • Balsa sheet is laser cut to make ribs for wings, horizontal stabilizer, and vertical stabilizer

Shrink wrap

UltraCote lite transparent white

1

  • Wraps around the wing ribs, and empennage ribs

Fuselage

  • White foam board

 

 

Mechanical

All mechanical design documents can be found in https://uwarg-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/MEC/pages/2551185409

Electronics System Diagram

Electronics Placement Diagram

 

FF51EF34-AA44-44C4-B9F2-8F84B4C6C337-20240824-181836.jpeg

 

Maiden Flight Electronics System Diagram

 

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