Development of the High-Accuracy Multi-Component Balance for Fluidic Thrust Vectoring Nozzle of UAV

The thrust vector control technique is essential for high maneuverability of unmanned aerial vehicles. In the present study, a multi-component balance was developed to quantitatively evaluate the thrust-vectoring performance of a supersonic rectangular nozzle based on the Coanda coflowing effect. Precise calibration and detailed data analysis were performed during the development. It was found that the cross-talk errors between load cells in the balance were less than 5%, and that the unwanted errors due to high-pressure supply tubes were almost negligible, which contributed to the high accuracy of the present balance design. Some preliminary test results of the thrust-vectoring performance of the present nozzle design were also obtained and analyzed.