University of Maryland graduate student Austin Prete designed a quadcopter based on drawings by Leonardo da Vinci.
Among other merits in the field of art and not only da Vinci became famous for his engineering inventions, which were ahead of their time. All drawings of Leonardo were published only a few centuries after his death, since they were encrypted. Now, based on the developments of the scientist, many create their own projects.
So, in 2020, the already mentioned Austin Prete won the student design competition, in which he was helped by sketches of a helicopter, or rather, da Vinci's “propeller”. The student created the concept of a passenger drone called Elico. The model of this manned quadrocopter was fully autonomous, and four conical propellers were used to provide thrust, lift and control. The Elico's design was modular, using composite materials, and would be powered by an electric motor. It was necessary to control the drone using a push-button control unit. More details about the prototype can be found here.
Two years later, Prete won the graduate category with a new drone with improved propellers. The device was called Crimson Spin, it has small dimensions and four plastic wings. The rotation of the wings is carried out by means of batteries and an electric motor. Tilts of the device in different directions are carried out by a slight change in the speed of rotation of the screws.
The upward thrust in a drone is provided by creating a swirling air vortex at the edge of each propeller as it descends. This makes it possible to carry out vertical takeoff and landing. It is also noted that the screws of the device rotate quieter than conventional propellers.
According to the creator of the quadrocopter, in the future a similar device, but with more impressive dimensions, will be able to transport a person.
Among other merits in the field of art and not only da Vinci became famous for his engineering inventions, which were ahead of their time. All drawings of Leonardo were published only a few centuries after his death, since they were encrypted. Now, based on the developments of the scientist, many create their own projects.
So, in 2020, the already mentioned Austin Prete won the student design competition, in which he was helped by sketches of a helicopter, or rather, da Vinci's “propeller”. The student created the concept of a passenger drone called Elico. The model of this manned quadrocopter was fully autonomous, and four conical propellers were used to provide thrust, lift and control. The Elico's design was modular, using composite materials, and would be powered by an electric motor. It was necessary to control the drone using a push-button control unit. More details about the prototype can be found here.
Two years later, Prete won the graduate category with a new drone with improved propellers. The device was called Crimson Spin, it has small dimensions and four plastic wings. The rotation of the wings is carried out by means of batteries and an electric motor. Tilts of the device in different directions are carried out by a slight change in the speed of rotation of the screws.
The upward thrust in a drone is provided by creating a swirling air vortex at the edge of each propeller as it descends. This makes it possible to carry out vertical takeoff and landing. It is also noted that the screws of the device rotate quieter than conventional propellers.
According to the creator of the quadrocopter, in the future a similar device, but with more impressive dimensions, will be able to transport a person.
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