Investigation on the unsteady aerodynamics of cycloidal propeller in hovering flight

The aerodynamics of a cycloidal propeller operating in hovering flight is systematically studied using numerical method. By solving the time-dependent incompressible Navier–Stokes equations and using a dynamic mesh technique, the complex unsteady flow field around the cycloidal propeller and the time-varying aerodynamic forces are investigated. The wake flow deflection can be observed in the flow field of the cycloidal propeller, which results in a deflection of the thrust. Strong downwash around cycloidal propeller and unsteady interference between blades are induced by the rotation and pitch motion of the blade. The instantaneous vertical, horizontal and resultant thrusts fluctuate cyclically with the azimuths in a pattern similar to sinusoid, and although the direction of instantaneous resultant thrust varies in a comparatively large region during rotating, the direction of averaged resultant thrust produced in each revolution is almost constant at different rotation speeds. This is beneficial to the flight stability and maneuverability of a cyclogyro. When one blade moves upward, the aerodynamic forces of the blade are much higher than that produced when moving downward. With the increase of the blade number, the unsteady interference between blades and the wakes of other blades tend to be stronger, producing great effects on aerodynamic forces of the blades as well as the aerodynamic performance of cycloidal propeller.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1177/0954410015580652
• Record URL:
  • http://pig.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/229/13/2519
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/19966973
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications, Ltd.
• Authors:
  • Tang, Jiwei
  • Hu, Yu
  • Song, Bifeng
• Publication Date: 2015-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 2519-2536
• Serial:
  • Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
  • Volume: 229
  • Issue Number: 13
  • Publisher: Sage Publications, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0954-4100
  • EISSN: 2041-3025
  • Serial URL: http://pig.sagepub.com/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamics; Cycloidal propellers; Flight dynamics; Flow fields; Ground effect; Thrust
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01602093
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 20 2016 10:27AM