High-fidelity numerical investigations of rotor-propeller aerodynamic interactions

Zhang, T. and Barakos, G. N. (2022) High-fidelity numerical investigations of rotor-propeller aerodynamic interactions. Aerospace Science and Technology, 124, 107517. (doi: 10.1016/j.ast.2022.107517)

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Abstract

This paper presents high-fidelity numerical investigations of rotor/propeller aerodynamic interactions related to thrust-augmented compound rotorcraft. High-fidelity CFD simulations of a generalised rotor/propeller integration, as studied both numerically and experimentally by ONERA, were performed using the HMB3 solver within the GARTEUR AG25. Simulations of the baseline isolated propulsors were first carried out and validated against experimental measurements. Simulations of the rotor/propeller integration were then performed and compared with ONERA numerical results. Evaluations of the spatial/temporal resolutions were first carried out at low-speed forward. The actuator disk modelling of the main rotor was shown to be an effective and efficient simulation method compared to blade-resolved results. Simulations of the installed propeller were also performed in hover, and the aerodynamic interference was found to be considerably exacerbated. A ducted propeller configuration was also proposed to study how ducting the propeller would change the aerodynamic interference. The duct offloaded the propeller and produced extra thrust, and the blades suffered less from the main rotor downwash. However, the duct generated a strong downwards force and a nose-down pitching moment because of its flow blockage. The loading variations induced by the aerodynamic interactions were found to be strong at low advance ratios but ducting provided significant alleviation.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work is jointly funded by the University of Glasgow and the China Scholarship Council.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Barakos, Professor George and Zhang, Mr Tao
Authors: Zhang, T., and Barakos, G. N.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
Journal Name:Aerospace Science and Technology
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1270-9638
ISSN (Online):1626-3219
Published Online:29 March 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Authors
First Published:First published in Aerospace Science and Technology 124: 107517
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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