Project Details

The cyclocopter is an innovative hovering vehicle that uses cycloidal rotor propulsion to stay airborne. Unlike traditional quadcopters, it achieves forward flight while remaining parallel to the ground. This unique functionality is powered by four cyclorotors, each featuring carbon fiber blades mounted on endplates with bearings that allow blade rotation and pitch adjustment.

Lift is generated through the cyclorotors' blades, which change their pitch as they rotate. By adjusting the blade pitch to have a positive angle of attack at the top and bottom of the rotation and a neutral angle at the sides, the cyclorotor creates a net upward thrust. The offset linkage at the base of the mechanism enables asymmetric blade pitching, allowing control of thrust direction by altering the maximum pitch angle position.

The system's key components include a brushless motor, servo mechanisms, and a flight controller. The brushless motor drives the cyclorotors via a belt-pulley system, while the servos adjust blade pitch to control thrust direction. Power is supplied by two 2200mAh 11.1V batteries, distributed through a flight controller and four electronic speed controllers (ESCs).

This design enables precise control of rolling, pitching, and yawing motions by varying rotor speeds and thrust vectors, making the cyclocopter highly maneuverable and setting it apart from traditional drones.