Skip to main content

The Influence of the Variable Diameter Rotor on the Aerodynamic Helicopter Rotor Performance

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Automatic Control and Emerging Technologies (ACET 2023)

Abstract

The helicopter ran with a fixed value of the rotation velocity, which posed a limitation in forward flight, in order that the rotor blade tip stayed at the subsonic regime. This limitation caused high energy consumption. In our research, we tried to solve that problem to optimize energy consumption and improve the helicopter’s aerodynamic performance in hover and forward flight. To reach our objective, we acted on the rotor structure, in order to have a rotor with a variable diameter. Several simulation tests were done at different values of the rotor diameter in order to have an idea of the optimal value of the rotor diameter in both forward and hover flight. To achieve that work, we proceeded with the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach. From the CFD analysis, we extracted the evolution of the thrust force and Mach number in both hover and forward flight and compared them to get the final result vision.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 299.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Pandey, K.M., Kumar, U., et al.: CFD analysis of an isolated main helicopter rotor for a hovering flight at varying rpm. In: Proceedings of the ASME 2012 International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition IMECE (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Han, D., Pastrikakis, V., Barakos, G.N.: Helicopter performance improvement by variable rotor speed and variable blade twist. Aerosp. Sci. Technol. 54, 164–173 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Brender, S., Mark, H., Aguilera, F.: the attributes of a variable-diameter rotor system applied to civil tiltrotor aircraft. NASA University Consortium Grant NCC2–5174

    Google Scholar 

  4. Gao, Y., Yang, X.: The overall design of variable diameter ducted fan in the aircraft. Aerospace 9(7), 387 (2022)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Fradenburgh, E.:Development of the TRAC variable diameter rotor concept, Sikorsky Aircraft, Division of United Aircraft Corporation, USA (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Arthur, W., Linden, et al.: Variable diameter rotor study, air force flight dynamics laboratory air force systems cowmd wright-pattrsmon air force base, Ohio (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Sicard, J., Sirohi, J.: Experimental study of an extremely flexible rotor for microhelicopters. J. Aircr. 49(5), 1306–1314 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Kumar, M.R., Venkatesan, C.: Effects of rotor blade-tip geometry on helicopter trim and control response. Aeronaut. J. 121(1239), 637-659A (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Wang, B., Yuan, X., Zhao, Q.J., Zhu, Z.: Geometry design of coaxial rigid rotor in high-speed forward flight. International Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 2020, 1–18 (2020). Article ID 6650375

    Google Scholar 

  10. Perera, G., Jagathsinghe, H., Dilshan, S., Sudaraka, M., Rangajeeva, S.: Helicopter Main Rotor aerodynamic simulation with CFD. Engineering, Build Environment and Spatial Sciences. In: 9th International Research Conference-KDU, p. 144. Sri Lanka (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Prandtl L. Application of modern hydrodynamics to aeronautics. Technical Report, NACA Report 116 (NACA Translation, not dated)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Maier, T.H., Sharpe, D.L., Abrego, A.I.: Aeroelastic stability for straight and swept-tip rotor blades in hover and forward flight. In: American Helicopter Society 55th Annual Forum

    Google Scholar 

  13. Tu, J., Yeoh, G., Liu, C.: Computational fluid dynamics a practical approach (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Choi, Y.J., Wie, S.Y., Chae, S.: A study on hover performance of ducted fans for an unmanned VTOL aircraft. Int. J. Aerosp. Eng. 2022, 10 (2022)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Venkatesan, C.: Fundamentals Helicopter Dynamics. CRC Press, Boca Raton (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Padfield, G. D.: Helicopter Flight Dynamics, The Theory and Application of Flying Qualities and Simulation Modelling. Blackwell Publishing, Hoboken (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Leishman, J.G.: Principle of Helicopter Aerodynamics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2006)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Soufiane Stouti .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Stouti, S., Lahlou, A.T., Lagrat, I., Mounir, H., Bouazaoui, O. (2024). The Influence of the Variable Diameter Rotor on the Aerodynamic Helicopter Rotor Performance. In: El Fadil, H., Zhang, W. (eds) Automatic Control and Emerging Technologies. ACET 2023. Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, vol 1141. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0126-1_66

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics