A Reformulated-Vortex-Particle-Method-Based Aerodynamic Multi-Objective Design Optimization Strategy for Proprotor in Hover and High-Altitude Cruise

An improved multi-objective design optimization framework is proposed for the efficient design of proprotor blades tailored to specific high-altitude mission requirements. This framework builds upon existing methods by leveraging a reformulated Vortex Particle Method (rVPM) and incorporates three ke...

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Main Authors: Zhiwei Ding, Chaoqun Zhang, Minghua Peng, Jianbo Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Aerospace
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/11/906
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author Zhiwei Ding
Chaoqun Zhang
Minghua Peng
Jianbo Li
author_facet Zhiwei Ding
Chaoqun Zhang
Minghua Peng
Jianbo Li
author_sort Zhiwei Ding
collection DOAJ
description An improved multi-objective design optimization framework is proposed for the efficient design of proprotor blades tailored to specific high-altitude mission requirements. This framework builds upon existing methods by leveraging a reformulated Vortex Particle Method (rVPM) and incorporates three key stages: (1) rapid determination of overall proprotor parameters using a semi-empirical model, (2) optimized blade chord and twist distribution bounds based on minimum energy loss theory, and (3) global optimization with a high-fidelity rVPM-based aerodynamic solver coupled with a multi-objective hybrid optimization algorithm. Applied to a small high-altitude tiltrotor, the framework produced Pareto-optimal proprotor designs with a figure of merit of 0.814 and cruise efficiency of 0.896, exceeding mission targets by over 15%. Key findings indicate that large taper ratios and low twist improve hover performance, while elliptical blade planforms with high twist enhance cruise efficiency, and a tip anhedral further boosts overall performance. This framework streamlines the industrial customization of proprotor blades, significantly reducing the design space for advanced optimization while improving performance in demanding high-altitude environments.
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issn 2226-4310
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publishDate 2024-11-01
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spelling doaj-art-4ea5647ade814378b42b4dab9a2d74962024-11-26T17:42:53ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102024-11-01111190610.3390/aerospace11110906A Reformulated-Vortex-Particle-Method-Based Aerodynamic Multi-Objective Design Optimization Strategy for Proprotor in Hover and High-Altitude CruiseZhiwei Ding0Chaoqun Zhang1Minghua Peng2Jianbo Li3National Key Laboratory of Helicopter Aeromechanics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaNational Key Laboratory of Helicopter Aeromechanics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaNational Key Laboratory of Helicopter Aeromechanics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaNational Key Laboratory of Helicopter Aeromechanics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaAn improved multi-objective design optimization framework is proposed for the efficient design of proprotor blades tailored to specific high-altitude mission requirements. This framework builds upon existing methods by leveraging a reformulated Vortex Particle Method (rVPM) and incorporates three key stages: (1) rapid determination of overall proprotor parameters using a semi-empirical model, (2) optimized blade chord and twist distribution bounds based on minimum energy loss theory, and (3) global optimization with a high-fidelity rVPM-based aerodynamic solver coupled with a multi-objective hybrid optimization algorithm. Applied to a small high-altitude tiltrotor, the framework produced Pareto-optimal proprotor designs with a figure of merit of 0.814 and cruise efficiency of 0.896, exceeding mission targets by over 15%. Key findings indicate that large taper ratios and low twist improve hover performance, while elliptical blade planforms with high twist enhance cruise efficiency, and a tip anhedral further boosts overall performance. This framework streamlines the industrial customization of proprotor blades, significantly reducing the design space for advanced optimization while improving performance in demanding high-altitude environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/11/906aerodynamic designproprotorrotor blade designdesign optimizationvortex particle method
spellingShingle Zhiwei Ding
Chaoqun Zhang
Minghua Peng
Jianbo Li
A Reformulated-Vortex-Particle-Method-Based Aerodynamic Multi-Objective Design Optimization Strategy for Proprotor in Hover and High-Altitude Cruise
Aerospace
aerodynamic design
proprotor
rotor blade design
design optimization
vortex particle method
title A Reformulated-Vortex-Particle-Method-Based Aerodynamic Multi-Objective Design Optimization Strategy for Proprotor in Hover and High-Altitude Cruise
title_full A Reformulated-Vortex-Particle-Method-Based Aerodynamic Multi-Objective Design Optimization Strategy for Proprotor in Hover and High-Altitude Cruise
title_fullStr A Reformulated-Vortex-Particle-Method-Based Aerodynamic Multi-Objective Design Optimization Strategy for Proprotor in Hover and High-Altitude Cruise
title_full_unstemmed A Reformulated-Vortex-Particle-Method-Based Aerodynamic Multi-Objective Design Optimization Strategy for Proprotor in Hover and High-Altitude Cruise
title_short A Reformulated-Vortex-Particle-Method-Based Aerodynamic Multi-Objective Design Optimization Strategy for Proprotor in Hover and High-Altitude Cruise
title_sort reformulated vortex particle method based aerodynamic multi objective design optimization strategy for proprotor in hover and high altitude cruise
topic aerodynamic design
proprotor
rotor blade design
design optimization
vortex particle method
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/11/906
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