Numerical modelling of the aerodynamic and acoustic properties of a small air vehicle propeller

• Published in: AIP conference proceedings Vol. 3064; no. 1
• Main Authors: Kulak, Michal, Lipian, Michal
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Melville American Institute of Physics 10.04.2024
• Subjects: Acoustic noise; Acoustic properties; Acoustics; Aerodynamics; Blades; Boundary conditions; Broadband; Critical flow; Drone vehicles; Electric motors; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Mathematical models; Numerical models; Optimization; Propellers; Rotors; Simulation; Unmanned aerial vehicles
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0199518

Constant increase of popularity of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) along with trend of withdrawal from use of combustion engines in favour of electric motors leads to emergence of new research fields in terms of human/goods transportation. In last years electric-powered drone-like small air vehicles became the subject of thorough research. Presented article focuses on numerical simulation of drone propeller, aiming at determination of CFD task setup. Subsequently, the model would be combined with Blade Element Theory approach into a hybrid simulation, allowing cost-efficient rotor optimization. The identification of critical flow structures (e.g. tip vortices, rotor wake helix) is essential for proper estimation of propeller performance in terms of thrust and generated power. Therefore, a proper choice of geometrical constraints, as well as boundary conditions, is subjected to study. Eventually, an important aspect is also the identification and minimization of noise sources – a simulation includes acoustics modelling. Two approaches for aerodynamically generated noise estimation are tested: Integral Method by Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings and Broadband Noise Source model. The study aims at defining a set of guidelines for propeller simulations, enabling the pre-assessment of rotor performance, flow structures and noise. In further steps, it would contribute to universal computational model for small aerial vehicles propellers optimization.