Methods and Experiments for Novel Rotorcraft (MENtOR)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Mechanical Aerospace and Civil Eng
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
Publications
Filippone A
(2022)
Historical development of the coaxial contra-rotating propeller
in The Aeronautical Journal
Filippone A
(2019)
Validation of an integrated simulation model for aircraft noise and engine emissions
in Aerospace Science and Technology
Jiang Y
(2019)
Component-based model for Flap Noise Prediction
Smith D
(2019)
A Parametric Study of Counter Rotating Open Rotor Noise
Smith D
(2020)
Acoustic Analysis of Counter-Rotating Open Rotors with a Locked Blade Row
in AIAA Journal
Smith D
(2020)
Acoustic Analysis of Counter-Rotating Open Rotors with a Locked Blade Row
in AIAA Journal
Smith D
(2020)
Noise reduction of a Counter Rotating Open Rotor through a locked blade row
in Aerospace Science and Technology
Usov D
(2022)
Low-Order Aerodynamic Model for Interference in Multirotor Systems
in Journal of Aircraft
| Description | We have addressed gaps in knowledge regarding novel rotorcraft systems. We demonstrated advances in a number of key areas, including the aero-mechanics of tilt-rotor vehicles, multi-rotor configuration, engine design optimisation and aero-acoustics. We developed numerical methods for simulating novel flight platforms. We are using numerical models to simulate complete rotorcraft, and to understand which are the flight limitations and safe areas to fly. The research continues beyond this award with projects that are have hybrid funding, including contributions from industry. |
| Exploitation Route | We develop models that can be used by industry to deal with their new design challenges. We meet regularly with industry and other sponsors to understand where the needs and gaps are, and we can fill these gaps by doing the fundamental research. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
| Title | EngineTool: calculation of turboshaft engine performance and emissions |
| Description | This is a computer model developed to determine rotorcraft engine performance and exhaust emissions. It is integrated with other software from the research community and in the MENTOR project. |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Ability to estimate exhaust emissions, possible integration with ASD-B flight trajectories to estimate helicopters fuel consumptions and emissions over realistic flight trajectories |
| Title | FLIGHT: a flight simulation code for environmental emissions (noise and engine exhausts) |
| Description | This computer model has been further verified to compare measured noise data at high altitude with simulations. Verifications have been carried out for long range noise propagation across atmospheric layers of stratified temperatures, pressures and winds. |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Research generated interest in recent years from members of the professional community, including noise monitoring organisations (ICCAN), local airport authorities (for example, Edinburgh) and academic researchers. |
| Title | EngineTool: software for the simulation of turboshaft (helicopter) engines |
| Description | This computer codes simulates turboshaft engines at all flight conditions, and produces outputs such as fuel flow, mass flow rates, shaft power, temperatures and pressures in critical sections of the engine, and emission data, when possible. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Impact | This software is being integrated with the University of Liverpool Software Federation for Helicopter Flight Simulation |
| Title | FARP: Computer code for the simulation of conventional helicopter aero-mechanics |
| Description | The software uses novel numerical methods to simulate the aero-mechanics of a conventional helicopter, including engine aero-thermodynamics, trim conditions, blade flapping, aerodynamics, flight performance. |
| Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Impact | No impact yet achieved. |
| Title | Multi-Component Free Wake Code for Rotors |
| Description | The premise of the code is a free wake model that can numerically integrate the wake dynamics of an arbitrary number of user-specified components in time and space. The types of components that can currently be modelled are: • Symmetric fixed-wings • Propellers • Articulated rotors For rotor-type components, the blade/rotor dynamics are also integrated in time in parallel with the wake dynamics. Simulations are currently limited to components flying along fixed trajectories. Furthermore, the configuration of the component is fixed throughout the simulation, i.e., there are no time-dependent control inputs. There is currently no facility to trim any of the components to any specified load targets (e.g. a thrust/power/lift target) or to modify the rotational speed of any rotary-wing components (e.g. variable RPM propellers). However, several rotary-wing components, all with different rotational speeds, can be specified. |
| Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The code is part of the novel tools developed under the MENtOR programme. It allows expert engineers and researchers to model multi-rotor configuration, both rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft. |
| Title | ROMA: Rotor aerOMechanics Analysis |
| Description | ROMA is used for performance predictions of isolated rotors and propellers. TARA is used for performance predictions of tiltrotor aircraft, though different aircraft can be simulated due to the object-orientated undertaken within the code. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Impact | Tool used for research |
| Title | Software: TandRot, aeromechanics code for simulation of tandem helicopters |
| Description | This code simulates the aerodynamics, flight dynamics, engine performance, mission analysis, direct operating costs, and other performance metrics of tandem helicopters such as the CH-47. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Impact | Code now used routinely for teaching at the post-graduate level and for CPD courses to professional engineers |
| Title | TARA: Tiltrotor AeRomechanics Analysis |
| Description | TARA, like ROMA, is run from a series of input files that characterise the configuration, geometry, aerodynamics and interactions between several airframe components: 1. Fuselage (point loads) 2. Rotors (blade element theory) 3. Wing (strip theory) 4. Empennage (strip theory) These components are integrated together to form a single flight vehicle. Spreadsheet templates are available to create the input files for the different components. TARA implements an inverse simulation to trim the aircraft to a desired operating condition. Currently, the code only facilitates longitudinal flight but upgrades will extend this to lateral and directional flight. Improvements to the aerodynamic solvers and interaction models/data are also planned upgrades. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Impact | Tool used for research |
| Description | Annual Post-graduate student workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | This was our annual post-graduate/PDRA workshop, where we showcase the latest research over two days, in the presence of industry (Leonardo, BAe Systems, Hybrid Air Vehicles, others), government departments (MoD, DSTL). This is followed by both formal and informal discussions on all matters of rotorcraft and vertical lift systems. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Annual Rotorcraft Workshop and Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Annual workshop with presentations by post-graduate students and discussions around state-of-the-art rotorcraft research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Post graduate training/workshop: Introduction to rotor control systems (Event #6) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Research output was presented to post-graduate students, researchers, colleagues from industry and government, overseas researchers. Sixth in a series of lectures and talks (held online due to COVID restrictions). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Post-graduate training/workshop: Introduction to rotor aeroelasticity (Event #8) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Research output was presented to post-graduate students, researchers, colleagues from industry and government, overseas researchers. Eights in a series of lectures and talks (held online due to COVID restrictions). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Post-graduate training; Introduction to Rotorcraft Aerodynamics |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Research output was presented to post-graduate students, researchers, colleagues from industry and government, overseas researchers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Post-graduate workshop and training (Event #3): Intoduction to rotorcraft engines performance |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Research output was presented to post-graduate students, researchers, colleagues from industry and government, overseas researchers and professional organisations such as the Vertical Flight Society. Third in a series of lectures and talks (held online due to COVID restrictions). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Post-graduate workshop and training: Introduction to rotorcraft performance stability and control (Event #2) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Research output was presented to post-graduate students, researchers, colleagues from industry and government, overseas researchers. Second in a series of lectures and talks (held online due to COVID restrictions). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Post-graduate workshop/training: Introduction to experimental aerodynamics of rotors (Event #4) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Research output was presented to post-graduate students, researchers, colleagues from industry and government, overseas researchers and professional societies. Fourth in a series of lectures and talks (held online due to COVID restrictions). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Post-graduate workshop/training: Introduction to rotor acoustics (Event #5) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Research output was presented to post-graduate students, researchers, colleagues from industry and government, overseas researchers. Fifth in a series of lectures and talks (held online due to COVID restrictions). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Postgraduate workshop/training: Introduction to Flight Simulation (Event #7) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Research output was presented to post-graduate students, researchers, colleagues from industry and government, overseas researchers. Seventh in a series of lectures and talks (held online due to COVID restrictions). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | VLN Periodic Meeting, Leonardo Company, Yeovil March 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Periodic research meeting to assess strategy and forthcoming research proposals. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Webinar: Acoustic Liners |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Webinar hosted by NASA scientist on the development and state-of-the-art acoustic liners for aero engines. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Webinar: Bio-inspired noise control |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Webinar on bio-inspired acoustics hosted by scientists at the University of Bristol. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |