Unconventional Propeller−Airframe Integration for Transport Aircraft Configurations

It is envisioned that the future generations of regional and short to medium-range aircraft employ a high level of propeller integration to achieve low-emission flight. The objectives of unconventional propeller installations include the enhancement of the airframe aerodynamic efficiency, increasing the propeller efficiency, improving cabin...

Hybrid-Electric Aircraft with Over-the-Wing Distributed Propulsion: Aerodynamic Performance and Conceptual Design

Recent developments in the field of hybrid-electric propulsion (HEP) have opened the door to a wide range of novel aircraft configurations with improved energy efficiency. These electrically-driven powertrains enable “distributed propulsion” configurations, in which the aerodynamic interaction between the propulsive devices and the airframe is...

Aerodynamics of Propellers in Interaction Dominated Flowfields: An Application to Novel Aerospace Vehicles

This research is on the aerodynamics of propellers in interaction. As a propeller is dependent on the flowfield it encounters, any disturbance in that inflow results in changes in loading on the propeller. This can result in propulsive efficiency changes and affect stability through generation of in-plane forces and out-of-plane moments. The...

Aerodynamic and Aeroacoustic Interaction Effects for Tip-Mounted Propellers: An Experimental Study

Propellers can enable a significant reduction in energy use of future aircraft by offering a higher propulsive efficiency than turbofan engines. This is especially relevant for a new generation of (hybrid-)electric aircraft. However, the integration of propellers with the airframe remains a challenge, and leads to performance and noise penalties...