Horsepower needed to lift 600 lb load, w/8 motors

In summary, the drone will be about 600 lbs and will use eight brushless motors to power it. The wind speed and volume of air it will be moving will be determined by using Newton's 3 laws of motion.
  • #1
mootz
1
0
Good day Geniuses.

im building a drone prototype for an agricultural project.
approx. weight will be 600 lbs, using my own 8 rotor design.

trying to determine rotor size and motor power required to fly such a device at 30 feet.

would also be interested to determine an approximate wind speed and volume of air being moved, under the craft.

motor cost and size changes dramatically at a point, so 8 brush-less motors will be used.

thanks in advance
 
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  • #2
My first thought is that it sounds pretty heavy for an "agricultural project".
Does it HAVE to be 270 kg for a payload capacity?

I'm picturing something similar to a crop duster.
Have you built a smaller drone before?
You'll need to build some smaller RC planes to get your ideas down.

To find the answers to your questions you will have to be more specific about what you want.

Generally, everything you need for this is in Newtons 3 Laws...You might need to work with these laws using some light calculus, but that shouldn't be a problem.

Here is a good link that has lots of information about how Newton's laws apply to flying.
https://howthingsfly.si.edu/flight-dynamics/Newton’s-laws-motion

Start here and work your way out... When you run into a road block, form it into a homework style question and ask in the general physics category, or dare I suggest the homework category. The template is great because it helps you organize your thoughts while you pose a question to the community.

Let me warn you, this isn't the type of place where people are dying to solve your math questions for you, the experts here are even greater than that and they will help you learn how to find the answers yourself if you're motivated to do so.

They really like to go by the old "Teach a man to fish" routine,
 
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  • #3
There are generally two approaches to the problem, both of which require you to assume rotor diameter up-front. The first is to use Bernoulli's equation to find the velocity of the downwash from pressure and area of the rotors. The second is to use the definition of momentum change to find the force from the velocity. Either of which can then be converted to power using the definition of work.
 

1. How much horsepower is needed to lift a 600 lb load with 8 motors?

The amount of horsepower needed to lift a 600 lb load with 8 motors depends on a few factors, including the efficiency of the motors and the design of the lifting mechanism. However, as a general rule of thumb, each motor should have a minimum of 1 horsepower for every 75 lbs of weight being lifted. Therefore, for 8 motors to lift a 600 lb load, at least 8 horsepower would be needed.

2. Is 8 motors the optimal amount for lifting a 600 lb load?

The number of motors needed to lift a 600 lb load depends on the specific application and design of the lifting system. However, using fewer motors may result in a slower lifting speed and potentially put more strain on the remaining motors. Using more motors may increase the overall power and efficiency of the lifting system, but it may also add unnecessary complexity and cost. Therefore, 8 motors may be a suitable amount for lifting a 600 lb load, but it is not necessarily the optimal amount for all situations.

3. Are there any other factors besides horsepower that affect the lifting capacity?

Yes, there are other factors that can affect the lifting capacity of a system, including the weight and design of the lifting mechanism, the efficiency of the motors, and the strength and durability of the materials used. It is important to consider all of these factors when determining the necessary horsepower for a specific lifting task.

4. Can a single motor lift a 600 lb load?

It is possible for a single motor to lift a 600 lb load, depending on the motor's power and the design of the lifting mechanism. However, it is not recommended as it may put too much strain on the motor and potentially cause damage or failure. Using multiple motors to distribute the weight and workload is generally a more efficient and safer approach.

5. Is there a maximum weight limit for using 8 motors to lift a load?

The maximum weight limit for using 8 motors to lift a load depends on the power and efficiency of each motor, as well as the design and strength of the lifting system. In general, it is recommended to not exceed the lifting capacity of the individual motors, as this could result in damage or failure. It is important to carefully consider the weight and other factors before determining the appropriate number of motors for a lifting task.

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