Development of Mathematical Framework and Simulation for UAV Landing Dynamics through Bi-Cylindrical Airbags Available to Purchase

Recently, airbags coupled with parachute mechanisms have been deployed in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) crash landing recovery systems to attenuate and bring down the imparted shock within allowable structural limits. Platform is decelerated by bag deflation through orifices which itself is under compression by platform. Dynamics of this process depend on the shape and volume of the airbags. A number of airbag shape designs have been analytically modeled to predict critical parameters like platform deceleration, gauge pressure, platform descent speed and bag height; however, no such mathematical formulations are available for the bi-cylindrical airbags. This work entails the development of analytical model for the dynamics involved in UAV landing through bi-cylindrical airbags and its implementation in numerical simulation. Results for a number of airbag sizes and orifice sizes are shown and discussed. Future roadmap for experimental testing is also outlined in the end.