UTIAS Ornithopter with Brushless Motors?

[socalfusions]

UTIAS Ornithopter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UTIAS_Ornithopter_No.1




This prototype ornithopter used a 18kw jet turbine engine to achieve enough thrust to fly, is it possible that 18kw supplied by brushless outrunner motors would supply an equal amount of power?

[EBJ]

wow.
I was under the impression no one ever made a full-scale ornithopter that successfully flew.
Does this qualify as a flight ?

I think when the first human-powered flight was achieved there were min-height requirements, and a turn requirement to be "official".
Does anyone know if an ornithopter has achieved "official" flight ?

[socalfusions]

wow.
I was under the impression no one ever made a full-scale ornithopter that successfully flew.
Does this qualify as a flight ?

I think when the first human-powered flight was achieved there were min-height requirements, and a turn requirement to be "official".
Does anyone know if an ornithopter has achieved "official" flight ?

The UTIAS ornithopter flew for 14 seconds with jet powered assistance.

The Snowbird ornithopter flew for 19 seconds via leg power.



They were both considered official flights.

[socalfusions]

Someone must know if brushless motors can produce an equal amount of force as this jet turbine engine (only 18k watts)!

[bearing]

Of course there is brushless motors who can. Just look at a neighbor thread:
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewto ... 30&t=24617

It's a matter of power-to-weight ratio. Batteries are heavy compared to liquid fuel. But if you look at the whole vehicle, the difference doesn't necessary have to be that different. With a clever use of the properties of the electric motor, an electric ornithopter might not be that far behind a jet driven one.

[socalfusions]

Of course there is brushless motors who can. Just look at a neighbor thread:
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewto ... 30&t=24617

It's a matter of power-to-weight ratio. Batteries are heavy compared to liquid fuel. But if you look at the whole vehicle, the difference doesn't necessary have to be that different. With a clever use of the properties of the electric motor, an electric ornithopter might not be that far behind a jet driven one.

Mother of god that motor is huge! Thanks for your post, it does seem that brushless motor technology is constantly advancing, the motor you posted is the largest outrunner I've seen so far that is relatively lightweight!