Structural Energy Storage Carbon Fiber Composite Design and Application in Drone
WANG Chaoyang1 , YANG Xiangtao1 , XU Xiangbo1 , ZHANG Jinna1 , ZHU Shijie1 , WU Haihong 1,2, TONG Liyong3
(1. Carbon Fiber Composites International Joint Research Lab in Henan, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China; 2. Zhengzhou Fangstring Advanced Material Science and Technology Company Limited，Zhengzhou 450001, China; 3. School of Aerospace, Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineer, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia)
Abstract：With the rapid development of aerospace field and the continuous opening of low altitude areas in the world, the application of various drones has increased significantly, which results in sky environmental pollution problems, and drives many countries starting clean sky projects. Meanwhile, higher property requirements of drones pose new challenges for composites applications. In this paper, a structural energy storage carbon fiber composite (SESCFC) is fabricated by integrating energy storage core to the ultra-thin carbon fiber composite package, and its electrochemical performance is tested with and without loading. Furthermore, SESCFC is integrated into the wing of self-designed drone, and the improvement on the weight and flight endurance of the drone is evaluated. The results show that the energy density of SESCFC approaches 13.2W·h/kg, and that the power density approaches 119.6 W/kg. Under loading of 1200N, the energy density of SESCFC increased to 14.5 W·h/kg due to space compressed between the electrodes. Compared with drones driven by Li-battery, the flight endurance of the drone with SESCFC increases 20%, and the self-weight decreases 37.5%. Compared with solar panel-driven drones, about 20% lightweight effect has been achieved. The results are helpful for structure-function integrated design of carbon fiber composites and their application in drone design.
2020, 
