Aerodynamic Optimization of a Flying V Aircraft using a Vortex Lattice Method

To address the environmental impact of air travel, the industry has introduced various solutions, including sustainable fuels and new aircraft configurations. The Flying V is one such concept that promises a 20% reduction in fuel consumption compared to its most advanced competitor. Unlike traditional commercial airplanes, the Flying V is a...

Propeller Slipstream Effects on Longitudinal Static Stability: Effect of the Rethorst Correction at the Horizontal Stabilizer

The potential for a correction by Rethorst for Vortex Lattice Methods (VLMs) exists to improve Longitudinal Static Stability predictions when applying the Rethorst correction to a slipstream engulfed horizontal stabilizer. The Rethorst correction has already proven to result in accurate lift predictions in VLMs for an isolated wing in a...

An evaluation of methods and assumptions used in potential flow modelling of swirl recovery vanes

Various potential flow methods with different assumptions are available to quantify the efficiency increase and thrust provided by a swirl recovery vane (SRV). In this paper, thrust coefficients and efficiency results obtained by different potential flow methods for the same SRV geometry at different advance ratios are presented. The methods...

Development of a Computational Framework for Aeroelasticity of Geometrically Nonlinear Structures: A Partitioned Coupling Approach

High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) configurations have gained much popularity in the recent past. Although, HALE aircraft enable efficient and environmental-friendly flying, they necessitate a large Aspect-Ratio wing. These slender structures are prone to large, non-linear deformations which further increase the unsteady nature of aerodynamic...

A sensitivity study on the aerodynamic performance of a wingtip-mounted tractor propeller-wing system

Wingtip-mounted propellers have the ability to enhance the propeller-wing system performance. For inboard-up rotating tractor propellers, the swirl in the propeller slipstream can be used on the wing to reduce the influence of the wingtip vortex, decreasing drag. Furthermore, lift is enhanced by increasing dynamic pressure and angle of attack...

Wing Optimisation for Tractor Propeller Configurations: Validation and Application of Low-Order Numerical Models Adapted to Include Propeller-Induced Velocities

Even though propellers are the oldest form of propulsion, they are still a popular choice for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and passenger aircraft in certain market segments. If the propellers are mounted on the wing, strong propeller-wing interactions alter the aerodynamic efficiency of the aircraft. Using low-order numerical models, it is...

Aeroelastic analysis of a 3D wing structure with a flexible trailing edge

Aeroelastic analyses traditionally consider the airfoil of a wing to remain rigid, only allowing deformation in the span-wise direction of the wing. Recent investigations have shown the benefits of adding chord-wise flexibility in the trailing edge of a wing, however so far only two-dimensional studies have been carried out. Therefore, the...

Unsteady Aerodynamics in the Gust and Manoeuvre Response of Flexible Aircraft

Aircraft wings are becoming more flexible, making it important to take this flexibility into account from the start of the design process. With flexible wings, unsteady (time-varying) aerodynamics becomes important. For this reason, an unsteady aerodynamics model was constructed and coupled to an aeroelastic flight mechanics tool. This allows...

Multiple-Wake Vortex Lattice Method for Membrane Wing Kites

The leading edge inflated (LEI) surf-kite is a suitable wing design for airborne wind energy (AWE) power generation because the bridling and leading edge design allow the wing to be de-powered while retaining good steer-ability. Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) modelling is required to capture the flight behavior of an LEI kite, due to it's...

Development of an aeroelastic analysis tool for structural sizing of high-lift devices during preliminary design

The design of complex aircraft elements such as high-lift devices has large influence on the performance of modern transport airplanes. At the cost of increased wing weight, these devices are included in the wing to ensure safe takeoff and landing. In order to meet sustainability challenges on future air transportation systems, high-lift devices...