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...

Improved modeling of propeller-wing interactions with a lifting-line approach: Investigation of a suitable correction method to account for the finite slipstream height

Propellers have a high propulsive efficiency and can help in the reduction of fuel consumption of aircraft. For propellers which are mounted in front of the wing, the interaction of the slipstream with the lifting surfaces can alter the lift distribution significantly. In the use of modern optimization tools, fast and accurate analysis of the...

Including aeroelastic tailoring in the conceptual design process of a composite strut braced wing

High aspect ratio strut braced aircraft can significantly reduce the induced drag. The inherent anisotropic behaviour of the composite material along with their weight saving potential can improve the performance of the aircraft during the flight. Thus, a composite strut braced aircraft is one of the promising candidates to achieve the targets...

System-level assessment of tail-mounted propellers for regional aircraft

Three regional transport aircraft of different configuration are synthesized for the same design specification using an automated design routine. The first aircraft features wing-mounted propellers, the second aircraft features propellers mounted on the horizontal tail plane, while the last configuration replaces the horizontal and vertical tail...

APIAN-INF: an aerodynamic and aeroacoustic investigation of pylon-interaction effects for pusher propellers

Advanced propellers promise significant fuel-burn savings compared to turbofans. When installed on the fuselage in a pusher configuration, the propeller interacts with the wake of the supporting pylon. This paper presents an experimental analysis of the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic characteristics of this pylon–propeller interaction. An isolated...

Horizontal Tailplane-Tip Mounted Tractor Propeller Interaction Effects

Advanced propeller propulsion systems potentially provide a significant reduction in fuel burn compared to traditional turbofans. An alternative to the conventional aft-fuselage mounted pusher layout is the horizontal tailplane-tip mounted tractor propeller concept. The aim of this thesis is an experimental investigation of the aeroacoustic and...