Seaspider is the latest FPVFlow drone build, specially crafted to meet the demands of our aquatic filming adventures. As avid enthusiasts of capturing footage in water environments, we recognized the need for a drone that could autonomously emerge from water bodies.
One of the key design considerations for our new build was maximizing flight endurance without compromising maneuverability. To achieve this, we opted for 6-inch propellers, harnessing their superior efficiency with respect to 5-inch to prolong flight durations and enhance overall performance. The larger propeller size also offers ample space for additional payload and accessories, ensuring versatility in diverse filming scenarios.
The configuration is unconventional – a pusher setup mounted on the Apex 6-inch frame. This configuration places the propellers underneath the drone, exploiting the space underneath the plate.
To address the inherent buoyancy challenges of water landings, we incorporated AirFloats on the upper sides of the arms. These strategically positioned floats serve a dual purpose: preventing the drone from sinking and maintaining proper orientation upon water impact. This feature ensures that our drone remains buoyant, allowing it to resurface effortlessly and resume flight operations with minimal downtime. Antenna are placed in order to stay over water due to the water shielding capabilities.
Tested with foldable props and it was still able to take off from water
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I'm missing something. Are the floats you mentioned shown in the pictures? What's the blue and yellow bracket on the bottom for?
Hello! floaters are not show in the pictures uploaded but I hope to have time to make them and upload them soon. You can find floaters in the hardware parts (AirFloat). The skid under the drone is due to the pusher configuration, in order to reduce risk of LiPo puncturing (bottom mounted) during landings and to make a clearance between props and ground
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Nice design, i like the pusher config idea to help it take off from the water.
Do you intend to make it resistant to salt water or that's not feasible yet ?
thanks!! this config is also useful for the COG balance. This way the drone is always in the right direction for taking off.
All the electronics are already ready for saltwater but the problem remains for the magnets of the motors that will rust very soon. Washing with tap water promptly after a seawater dive can considerably help but does not solve the problem
Thanks for replying.... it's leading to more questions :)
Is it easier to take off from underwater if the prop stay as long as possible under water (pusher config)
or if the props are above water as soon as possible (normal config)
Did you try both ?
My pleasure! :)
Yes we have both drone configurations on multiple builds and actually the real advantage here is the balance when diving into water. We've also used foldable props underwater and they are working fine. Just take into account that props rotating in water are exposed to a greater resistance with respect to the air, so that the current required in water to take off is greatly increased. Since you need only few seconds to take off this is acceptable ;)