Performance improvement of helicopter rotors through blade redesigning

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine dependencies between a rotor-blade shape and a rotor performance as well as to search for optimal shapes of blades dedicated for helicopter main and tail rotors. Design/methodology/approach The research is conducted based on computational methodology, using the parametric-design approach. The developed parametric model takes into account several typical blade-shape parameters. The rotor aerodynamic characteristics are evaluated using the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes solver. Flow effects caused by rotating blades are modelled based on both simplified approach and truly 3D simulations. Findings The computational studies have shown that the helicopter-rotor performance may be significantly improved even through relatively simple aerodynamic redesigning of its blades. The research results confirm high potential of the developed methodology of rotor-blade optimisation. Developed families of helicopter-rotor-blade airfoils are competitive compared to the best airfoils cited in literature. The finally designed rotors, compared to the baselines, for the same driving power, are characterised by 5 and 32% higher thrust, in case of main and tail rotor, respectively. Practical implications The developed and implemented methodology of parametric design and optimisation of helicopter-rotor blades may be used in future studies on performance improvement of rotorcraft rotors. Some of presented results concern the redesigning of main and tail rotors of existing helicopters. These results may be used directly in modernisation processes of these helicopters. Originality/value The presented study is original in relation to the developed methodology of optimisation of helicopter-rotor blades, families of modern helicopter airfoils and innovative solutions in rotor-blade-design area.

Pasif ve Aktif Olarak Ok Açılı ve Anhedralli Pal Ucu Şekli Başkalaşan Helikopterin Kontrol Sistemi ile Beraber Eş Zamanlı ve Rassal Yeniden Tasarımı

“…Bu yaklaşımda yatay kuyruk helikopter uzunlamasına eksenine göre kolektif ve diferansiyel sapmalar yapmakla beraber, helikopter uzunlamasına ekseninde ileri/geri hareketlerde gerçekleştirebilmektedir (bknz. Sherry, 1953;Stuart, 1961;Howlett, 1981;Bluman ve Gandhi, 2011;Oktay ve Şal, 2015;Oktay ve Sultan, 2013a). Bir diğer tasarım yaklaşımı helikopter ana rotor palelerinin bazı özelliklerini yeniden tasarlamaktır.…”

Parametrization of the main rotor and working environment for different flight conditions – Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis as an application for multidisciplinary optimization

“…As an output, a geometry generator is prepared with initial optimization functions. Other main rotor optimization studies with focusing on aerodynamic optimization were presented in (Stalewski, 2017a,b;Xie et al, 2017;Stalewski and Zalewski, 2019;Okumuş et al, 2022) while optimization procedure for best flight performance was shown in (Slavik et al, 2029).…”

Simultaneous swept anhedral helicopter blade tip shape and control-system design

“…In addition, in the study by Oktay and Sultan (2014) active morphing was very useful, and the active morphing parameters were blade radius, chord length, angular speed and twist. Using this novel approach approximately 85% of the control effort throughout 80 kts SLF condition (visit also other articles such as Ganguli, 2002; Fusato and Celi, 2006; Hodges et al , 2008; Kang et al , 2010; Barbarino, 2011; Vu et al , 2013; Kambampati and Ganguli, 2016; Stalewski and Zalewski, 2019; Shahmiri et al , 2019; and Sal, 2020 for different redesign applications) was saved.…”