"Boxer engine Yamaha" flies in the sky! Yamaha Motor Shows New Drone Concept
From June 14th to 16th, 2021, "Japan Drone 2021 -Expo for Commercial UAS Market-" was held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture. At this event, new technologies and controls for unmanned aerial vehicles, underwater drones, etc. will be exhibited and introduced. Yamaha Motor, which is well known for motorcycles, exhibited unmanned helicopters with a history of more than 30 years, including the hybrid core concept series for drones.
Yamaha Motor "Series Hybrid Core Concept SHEV for Drones"
The "Series Hybrid Core Concept SHEV for Drones", which was unveiled for the first time this time, rotates a generator with a built-in horizontally opposed engine, A power supply unit for driving a motor with electricity. Roughly speaking, it can be said that it is a portable generator that can be mounted on a drone. It might be similar to a four-wheeled "range extender" that uses the engine only to generate electricity, not as a power source.
The advantage of this method using a gasoline engine is that it is easy to refuel and is suitable for continuous flight. You don't have to prepare large batteries or multiple batteries, and you have to consider the performance of the combined aircraft, but it also makes it easier to extend the cruising range and increase the payload. Yamaha is exhibiting this unit as a ``possible proposal at this time,'' and expects to partner with a manufacturer with know-how in airframe design and control systems to operate it. The idea is to utilize Yamaha's strength in engine technology in the world of drones.
The only horizontally opposed engine manufactured by Yamaha
The engine is already used from an unmanned helicopter with a proven track record, and this engine is simply amazing. Yamaha manufactures engines for various uses other than motorcycles and cars, such as outboard motors, marine jets, and snowmobiles. It is a stroke OHV horizontally opposed 2-cylinder, original unit for unmanned aerial vehicles.
It is also the only horizontally opposed engine manufactured by Yamaha. This format was chosen because it is advantageous in terms of vibration, size, and centralization of mass. . Forged aluminum pistons, plated cylinders integrated into the crankcase, titanium exhaust system, and other familiar motorcycle technologies have been generously introduced, making this a very interesting unit for motorcycle enthusiasts.
In principle, aircraft engines are used at a constant rotation speed, and this unit is assumed to operate at around 6000 rotations. The OHV type valve train does not require valve followability at high revs, so it has fewer camshafts and a simpler cylinder head. The emphasis on lightness, the number of revolutions used, and the issue of air-fuel ratios at altitude are the differences between engines used on the ground and those that fly in the air. It is introduced and thinned according to the required strength.
As a motorcycle enthusiast, I think it would be interesting to put this boxer engine on an existing Yamaha body, for example, an SR, and I would like to ride it, but is that too far-fetched?
Main specifications of "series hybrid core concept SHEV for drones"
Engine rated output (generated power): 20.6 kW (17.1 kW) Fuel used: regular gasoline Unit weight: about 70 kg Supply voltage: 300 V Continuous flight time: 4hr Payload (fuel + cargo): Maximum approx. 25kg *Values are current assumptions
Yamaha Motor "FAZER R G2": Multi-Purpose Industrial Unmanned Helicopter
In addition to the hybrid system core system, Yamaha has developed the industrial unmanned helicopter "FAZER R G2" and multi-rotor type "YMR-08AP" was exhibited at the booth. The FAZER, which has the same name as the motorcycle, is Yamaha's latest type of unmanned helicopter equipped with an internal combustion engine that has been under development since 1983.
At the beginning of development in 1983, research began as a pesticide sprayer, and control was left to humans on the ground with wireless transmitters, but the aircraft and systems such as attitude control devices and high-precision GPS were replaced. It evolved each time it was repeated, and automatic flight that can operate even in the non-visible area became possible. At the time of the 2000 eruption of Mt. Usu in Hokkaido, it was used to observe the crater at the request of the Ministry of Construction, demonstrating new possibilities for unmanned helicopters.
In addition, the eruption of the submarine volcano that occurred in Nishinoshima, the Ogasawara Islands, which began in 2013, and the land formation that followed, we performed special modifications upon request, collected samples of volcanic ash, and filmed valuable images. successful. The observation video was broadcast as an NHK special, so many people may remember it. Currently, in addition to spraying agricultural chemicals, which was the impetus for development, it is also active in various fields such as inspection of power lines, transportation of goods, and forest measurement.
FAZER R G2 main specifications
Length x width x height: 3665mx734mm x 1226mm Main rotor diameter: 3115mm Tail rotor diameter: 550m Total weight: 81kg Engine type: Water-cooled 4-stroke horizontally opposed 2-cylinder OHV 2-valve total displacement: 390cc Bore and stroke: 66.0mm x 57.0mm Maximum output: 20.6kW/6000rpm Fuel type/fuel tank capacity: regular gasoline/12L Maximum speed: 20m/s ascending speed, descending speed: 20m/s, 3m/s Operating distance: 30km Cruising distance: 90km Cruising time: 100 minutes
Yamaha Motor "YMR-08AP": A multi-rotor drone that supports farmers
The YMR-08AP is a multi-rotor drone powered by electricity, unlike the FAZER. It is a model that specializes in pesticide spraying performance, aiming for quietness compared to engines, ease of handling due to its light weight, and pesticide spraying quality (uniform spraying) similar to that of unmanned helicopters.
It is built for farmlands close to urban areas where noise must be taken into consideration, and for farmers with small planted areas, and is equipped with an autopilot function based on measurement data to reduce the burden on sprayers. there is The lightweight, high-rigidity carbon monocoque body is stylishly finished, and the double intakes for cooling the internal electrical parts are reminiscent of the eyes of a living being. Received the Good Design Award 2018. It is a product that supports Japan's food self-sufficiency behind the scenes.
Main Specifications of "Industrial Autopilot Multi-Rotor YMR-08 AP"
Maximum overall width during flight: 2161mm Maximum overall length during flight: 1923mm Overall height: 702mm Minimum overall width when retracted: 1799mm Minimum overall length when retracted : 559mm (frame) / 573mm (skid part) Rotor diameter: 26 inches Rotor type: Hybrid rotor Number of rotors: 8 Rotor arrangement: 4 x side counter-rotating Battery rated capacity: 852Wh Battery rated voltage: 44.4V Battery size: L360m /W149mm/H166mm Battery management system: HBMS-SL1 Average power consumption: 2.95kW Maximum takeoff weight: 27.0kg or less Frame type: Monocoque shell arm battery, charger for transmitter, base station module included
Report - Yasuhiro Iida Photographs - Yasuhiro Iida/Yamaha Motor Co. Editing - Shigeki Ueno
CONTACTYamaha Motor "Unmanned Systems" (industrial helicopters, drones, etc.)
