Optimization Framework for Early Conceptual Design of Helicopters

Abstract

This work illustrates how a proposed method can be used to create optimization frameworks for early conceptual design studies and to increase overall knowledge at an early design stage. The method is intended to facilitate concept selection in challenging domains that typically involve multidisciplinary design problems with contradictory requirements. The main focus of the work presented here is on the conceptual design of helicopters; however, the method is intended to be applicable to early design studies in other domains as well. In short, statistics about existing helicopters are collected and compiled to provide a basis for various regression analyses. The purpose of this is to unravel relationships in the data and to obtain simple estimation models from statistical regressions that can be used in conjunction with existing formulas and equations to generate an initial helicopter design estimate. Models for each discipline, such as aerodynamics, are then created using the outcomes of the regression analyses and existing equations. Lastly, the method is used to define a multidisciplinary design optimization framework incorporating all the models obtained from the different disciplines. A case study based on search and rescue operations is used to test the proposed framework in order to obtain possible first suggestions for the baseline design of a new general-purpose search and rescue helicopter.

Autonomous flight performance maximization for slung load carrying rotary wing mini unmanned aerial vehicle

“…Finally, the effects of the flexibility of the sling are examined by the evaluation of the flexible sling model and rigid sling model. It was reached in this research article that the rigid sling model is inexact as the flexible sling will degrade the system's performance in dynamic stability and flight quality (please visit also Cicolani and Kanning, 1992;Fusato et al, 2001;Stuckey, 2001;Sibilski, 2003;Bisgaard et al, 2010;Sultan, 2013a and2013b; Prosser and Smith, 2014;Cao and Wang, 2016;Cao et al, 2017;Babenko et al, 2022;Franz en et al, 2022 for applications of modeling and control for different rotary mini UAVs carrying slung loads to advance some different performance criteria).…”