Abstract
The wingtip-mounted pusher propeller, which experiences a performance benefit from the interaction with the wingtip flowfield, is an interesting concept for distributed propulsion. This paper examines a propeller design framework and provides verification with RANS CFD simulations by analysing the wing of a 9-passenger commuter airplane with a wingtip-mounted propeller in pusher configuration. In the taken approach, a wingtip flowfield is extracted from a CFD simulation, circumferentially averaged and provided to a lower order propeller analysis and optimisation routine. Possible propulsive efficiency gains for the propeller due to installation are significant, up to 16% increase at low thrust levels, decreasing to approximately 7.5% at the highest thrust level, for a range of thrust from 5% up to 100% of the wing drag. These gains are found to be independent of propeller radius for thrust levels larger than 30% of the wing drag. Effectively, the propeller geometry is optimized for the required thrust and to a lesser degree for the non-uniformity in the flowfield. Propeller blade optimization and installation result in higher profile efficiency in the blade root sections and a more inboard thrust distribution.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | AIAA Aviation 2019 Forum |
Publisher | American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc. (AIAA) |
Pages | 1-16 |
Number of pages | 16 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 978-1-62410-589-0 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781624105890 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2019 |
Event | AIAA Aviation 2019 Forum - Dallas, United States Duration: 17 Jun 2019 → 21 Jun 2019 https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/book/10.2514/MAVIAT19 |
Publication series
Name | AIAA Aviation 2019 Forum |
---|
Conference
Conference | AIAA Aviation 2019 Forum |
---|---|
Country/Territory | United States |
City | Dallas |
Period | 17/06/19 → 21/06/19 |
Internet address |