Parametric Analysis of a Large-scale Cycloidal Rotor in Hovering Conditions
Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 2017

In this work, four key design parameters of cycloidal rotors, namely the airfoil section; the number of blades; the chord-to-radius ratio; and the pitching axis location, are addressed. The four parameters, which have a strong effect on the rotor aerodynamic efficiency are analyzed with an analytical model and a numerical approach. The numerical method is based on a finite-volume discretization of two-dimensional Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations on a multiple sliding mesh, are proposed and validated against experimental data. A parametric analysis is then carried out considering a large-scale cyclogyro, suitable for payloads above 100 kg, in hovering conditions. Results demonstrate that the airfoil thickness significantly affects the rotor performance; such a result is partly in contrast with previous findings for small- and micro-scale configurations. Moreover, it will be shown that increasing the number of blades could result in a decrease of the rotor efficiency. The effect of chord-to-radius will demonstrate that values of around 0.5 result in higher efficiency. Finally it is found out that for these large systems, in contrast with micro-scale cyclogyros, the generated thrust increases as the pitching axis is located away from the leading edge, up to 35% of chord length. Further the shortcomings of using simplified analytical tools in the prediction of thrust and power in non-ideal flow conditions will be highlighted and discussed.

Författare

Carlos Xisto

Chalmers, Tillämpad mekanik, Strömningslära

J. Leger

Universidade da Beira Interior

José Páscoa

Universidade da Beira Interior

L. Gagnon

Politecnico di Milano

P. Masarati

Politecnico di Milano

D. Angeli

Universita Degli Studi Di Modena E Reggio Emilia

A. Dumas

Universita Degli Studi Di Modena E Reggio Emilia

Journal of Aerospace Engineering

0893-1321 (ISSN) 19435525 (eISSN)

Vol. 30 1 04016066-04016066-14- 04016066

Styrkeområden

Transport

Ämneskategorier

Rymd- och flygteknik

Strömningsmekanik och akustik

DOI

10.1061/(ASCE)AS.1943-5525.0000658

Mer information

Senast uppdaterat

2018-09-06