Abstract:This paper presents the results of a rotorcraft preliminary design problem, solved as a multiobjective design optimization problem. A lift-and thrust-augmented coaxial compound configuration is used to demonstrate the approach. The basic optimization problem is converted into a sequence of approximate optimization problems, in which approximate Pareto frontiers are calculated based on response surfaces, obtained from radial basis function interpolation of all the designs analyzed at every step of the sequence.… Show more
“…C X is a coefficient accounting for additional drag forces parallel to the rotor disk. Following the simplified modeling approach proposed by Hersey et al [32], simplified models of the fuselage, tail, and propeller were integrated with the rotor aerodynamic model developed in this study. The fuselage was treated as a rigid body, with its aerodynamic characteristics derived from wind tunnel test data.…”
To enhance the performance of rigid coaxial rotors across both hovering and high-speed cruising conditions, this study develops a novel aerodynamic optimization method that differentiates between the upper and lower rotors. Utilizing the lifting line and reformulated viscous vortex particle method (rVPM), this approach models the complex wake fields of coaxial rotors and accurately assesses the aerodynamic loads on the blades. The optimization of geometric properties such as planform configuration and nonlinear twist is conducted through an innovative solver that integrates simulated annealing with the Nelder–Mead algorithm, ensuring both rapid and comprehensive optimization results. Comparative analyses demonstrate that these tailored geometric adjustments significantly enhance efficiency in both operational states, surpassing traditional methods. This research provides a strategic framework for addressing the varied aerodynamic challenges presented by different flight states in coaxial rotor design.
“…C X is a coefficient accounting for additional drag forces parallel to the rotor disk. Following the simplified modeling approach proposed by Hersey et al [32], simplified models of the fuselage, tail, and propeller were integrated with the rotor aerodynamic model developed in this study. The fuselage was treated as a rigid body, with its aerodynamic characteristics derived from wind tunnel test data.…”
To enhance the performance of rigid coaxial rotors across both hovering and high-speed cruising conditions, this study develops a novel aerodynamic optimization method that differentiates between the upper and lower rotors. Utilizing the lifting line and reformulated viscous vortex particle method (rVPM), this approach models the complex wake fields of coaxial rotors and accurately assesses the aerodynamic loads on the blades. The optimization of geometric properties such as planform configuration and nonlinear twist is conducted through an innovative solver that integrates simulated annealing with the Nelder–Mead algorithm, ensuring both rapid and comprehensive optimization results. Comparative analyses demonstrate that these tailored geometric adjustments significantly enhance efficiency in both operational states, surpassing traditional methods. This research provides a strategic framework for addressing the varied aerodynamic challenges presented by different flight states in coaxial rotor design.
“…However, the design methodology for the propeller has not been openly published. Other research on the coaxial compound helicopter [18][19][20][21] usually focused on the design and characteristics of the coaxial rotor and assumed the aerodynamic efficiency of the propeller to be constant. However, Ferguson [22] pointed out that the flight dynamics features and performance are significantly different with various propeller parameters.…”
“…Blade section airfoil AFOIL is a qualitative or categorical type and it consists of NACA 0012, VR-12, HH-02, and SC1095R8 airfoils ranging from traditional to advanced rotor blades. The use of categorical variables enable us to have a much more refined design space over that of previous work (Hersey et al, 2017). The geometry of blade airfoil section is shown in Figure 4.…”
Section: Rotor Blade Design Variablesmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…More recent evidence presents a formal performance optimization for a compound coaxial rotorcraft configuration (Hersey et al, 2017). In this procedure, the basic optimization problem was converted into a sequence of approximate optimization problems, in which approximate Pareto frontiers were calculated based on response surfaces, obtained from radial function interpolation of all the designs analyzed at every step of the sequence.…”
Purpose
The effects of rotor blade design variables and their mutual interactions on aerodynamic efficiency of helicopters are investigated. The aerodynamic efficiency is defined based on figure of merit (FM) and lift-to-drag responses developed for hover and forward flight, respectively.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach is to couple a general flight dynamic simulation code, previously validated in the time domain, with design of experiment (DOE) required for the response surface development. DOE includes I-optimality criteria to preselect the data and improve data acquisition process. Desirability approach is also implemented for a better understanding of the optimum rotor blade planform in both hover and forward flight.
Findings
The resulting system provides a systematic manner to examine the rotor blade design variables and their interactions, thus reducing the time and cost of designing rotor blades. The obtained results show that the blade taper ratio of 0.3, the point of taper initiation of about 0.64 R within a SC1095R8 airfoil satisfy the maximum FM of 0.73 and the maximum lift-to-drag ratio of about 5.5 in hover and forward flight.
Practical implications
The work shows the practical possibility to implement the proposed optimization process that can be used for the advanced rotor blade design.
Originality/value
The work presents the rapid and reliable optimization process efficiently used for designing advanced rotor blades in hover and forward flight.
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