Optimisation of the aerodynamic performance of a cycloidal rotor
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: School of Engineering
Abstract
The proposed project examines a novel and ingenious rotor configuration, a cycloidal rotor system. The application of this rotor configuration for MAVs is less than 3 years old, and recent work has indicated that there are still many parameters that need to be studied and optimised through an investigation of the underlying flow physics. This exciting configuration has the potential to achieve higher aerodynamic efficiency, increased manoeuvrability and high-speed forward flight as well as higher aerodynamic power loading (thrust/power). The project entails the design, manufacture, and wind tunnel testing of a cycloidal rotor with two and three blades. Parameters such as different free stream velocities, asymmetric pitching kinematics, and using geometrically cambered aerofoils will be analysed. CFD tools such as Star-CCM+, will be utilised to complement and focus the experimental campaign.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509668/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1640423 | Studentship | EP/N509668/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2019 | Liam Ferrier |
| Description | It is demonstrated through the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling techniques that applying active leading-edge morphing to the blades of a cycloidal rotor improves the rotor performance due to modification of the blade-wake structure. An initial two-dimensional, unsteady CFD study on a single, sinusoidal pitch oscillating NACA0015 blade with active leading-edge morphing was performed and was shown to mitigate the adverse effects of dynamic stall which is a well known phenomena in rotor-craft operation. Current work focuses on the design, manufacture, and experimental testing of a leading-edge flap model at the University of Glasgow's wind tunnel test facility. The experimental test campaign will involve dynamic stall testing for a NACA0015 blade with an active rigid leading-edge flap to validate the results obtained from the leading-edge morphing CFD parametric study. The final part of the project will focus on a fluid structure interaction study of a cycloidal rotor blade with active compliant leading-edge morphing applied. This will be achieved through use of commercial engineering software tools such as STAR CCM+ and ABAQUS (FEA). |
| Exploitation Route | The CFD results for the leading-edge morphing applied to a cycloidal rotor with two, three, and four blades could be used as a benchmark for validation in experimental testing. The results still to be obtained from the fluid structure interaction study of the cycloidal rotor blade should be able to determine the required shape of the internal blade structure as well as the actuator forces required for applying deformation (morphing). |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
| URL | https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/aeronautical-journal/article/improving-the-aerodynamic-performance-of-a-cycloidal-rotor-through-active-compliant-morphing/041E1C7A652FB2525A03A7250CCC742B#fndtn-information |