Francesca Fusi, Giuseppe Quaranta, Pietro M. Congedo

DOI Number: N/A

Conference number: IFASD-2017-070

An aerodynamic optimization method is developed to define robust shapes for morphing airfoils for helicopter blades. The morphing strategy consists of a conformable camber airfoil which changes over the period of rotation of the blade to cope with the variable flow conditions encountered in forward flight. The paper is then focused on an aerodynamic optimization to set the optimal shape with respect to performance, where technological aspects are inserted through geometrical constraints. In fact, this paper presents an exploratory work on morphing geometries which aims at understanding the relationship between shape degree of freedom and actual aerodynamic gain. A robust or uncertainty-based approach is used to compute a reliable morphing airfoil, providing a low variance with respect to uncertainty affecting the operating conditions. In order to assess the effectiveness of the robust method, several optimization problems are performed, from a classical two-point drag minimization with lift coefficient constraint to a robust morphing camber optimization. The results of the optimization problems are compared and discussed to highlight the features of the robust approach. Exploring and demonstrating the gain of the aerodynamic shape may drive the development of new mechanism for the realization of morphing structures.

Read the full paper here

In Categories: 1. IFASD 2017, 1.Events, Active Control and Adaptive Structures
Email
Print
LinkedIn
The paper above was part of  proceedings of a CEAS event and as such the author has signed a publication agreement to have their paper published in the repository. In the case this paper is found somewhere else CEAS always links to the other source.  CEAS takes great care in making the correct content available to the reader. If any mistakes are found  in the listings please contact us directly at papers@aerospacerepository.org and we will correct the listing promptly.  CEAS cannot be held liable either for mistakes in editorial or technical aspects, nor for omissions, nor for the correctness of the content. In particular, CEAS does not guarantee completeness or correctness of information contained in external websites which can be accessed via links from CEAS’s websites. Despite accurate research on the content of such linked external websites, CEAS cannot be held liable for their content. Only the content providers of such external sites are liable for their content. Should you notice any mistake in technical or editorial aspects of the CEAS site, please do not hesitate to inform us.