Experimental Investigation of Aerodynamic Interaction in Non-Parallel Tandem Dual-Rotor Systems for Tiltrotor UAV
The distributed electric tilt-rotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) combines the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability of helicopters with the high-speed cruise performance of fixed-wing aircraft, offering a transformative solution for Urban Air Mobility (UAM). However, aerodynamic interfere...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Drones |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/5/374 |
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| author | He Zhu Yuhao Du Hong Nie Zhiyang Xin Xi Geng |
| author_facet | He Zhu Yuhao Du Hong Nie Zhiyang Xin Xi Geng |
| author_sort | He Zhu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The distributed electric tilt-rotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) combines the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability of helicopters with the high-speed cruise performance of fixed-wing aircraft, offering a transformative solution for Urban Air Mobility (UAM). However, aerodynamic interference between rotors is a new challenge to improving their flight efficiency, especially the dynamic interactions during the transition phase of non-parallel tandem dual-rotor systems, which require in-depth investigation. This study focuses on the aerodynamic performance evolution of the tilt-rotor system during asynchronous transition processes, with an emphasis on quantifying the influence of rotor tilt angles. A customized experimental platform was developed to investigate a counter-rotating dual-rotor model with fixed axial separation. Key performance metrics, including thrust, torque, and power, were systematically measured at various tilt angles (0–90°) and rotational speeds (1500–3500 RPM). The aerodynamic coupling mechanisms between the front and rear rotor disks were analyzed. The experimental results indicate that the relative tilt angle of the dual rotors significantly affects aerodynamic interference between the rotors. In the forward tilt mode, the thrust of the aft rotor recovers when the tilt angle reaches 45°, while in the aft tilt mode, it requires a tilt angle of 75°. By optimizing the tilt configuration, the aerodynamic performance loss of the aft rotor due to rotor-to-rotor aerodynamic interference can be effectively mitigated. This study provides important insights for the aerodynamic performance optimization and transition control strategies of the distributed electric tilt-rotor UAV. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ecd528850c96428b8f95b511fc36ec41 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2504-446X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Drones |
| spelling | doaj-art-ecd528850c96428b8f95b511fc36ec412025-08-20T03:47:49ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2025-05-019537410.3390/drones9050374Experimental Investigation of Aerodynamic Interaction in Non-Parallel Tandem Dual-Rotor Systems for Tiltrotor UAVHe Zhu0Yuhao Du1Hong Nie2Zhiyang Xin3Xi Geng4National Key Laboratory of Helicopter Aeromechanics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaCollege of Aerospace Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaNational Key Laboratory of Helicopter Aeromechanics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaCollege of Aerospace Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaCollege of Aerospace Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaThe distributed electric tilt-rotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) combines the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability of helicopters with the high-speed cruise performance of fixed-wing aircraft, offering a transformative solution for Urban Air Mobility (UAM). However, aerodynamic interference between rotors is a new challenge to improving their flight efficiency, especially the dynamic interactions during the transition phase of non-parallel tandem dual-rotor systems, which require in-depth investigation. This study focuses on the aerodynamic performance evolution of the tilt-rotor system during asynchronous transition processes, with an emphasis on quantifying the influence of rotor tilt angles. A customized experimental platform was developed to investigate a counter-rotating dual-rotor model with fixed axial separation. Key performance metrics, including thrust, torque, and power, were systematically measured at various tilt angles (0–90°) and rotational speeds (1500–3500 RPM). The aerodynamic coupling mechanisms between the front and rear rotor disks were analyzed. The experimental results indicate that the relative tilt angle of the dual rotors significantly affects aerodynamic interference between the rotors. In the forward tilt mode, the thrust of the aft rotor recovers when the tilt angle reaches 45°, while in the aft tilt mode, it requires a tilt angle of 75°. By optimizing the tilt configuration, the aerodynamic performance loss of the aft rotor due to rotor-to-rotor aerodynamic interference can be effectively mitigated. This study provides important insights for the aerodynamic performance optimization and transition control strategies of the distributed electric tilt-rotor UAV.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/5/374UAVnon-parallel rotor systemaerodynamic interactionVTOL |
| spellingShingle | He Zhu Yuhao Du Hong Nie Zhiyang Xin Xi Geng Experimental Investigation of Aerodynamic Interaction in Non-Parallel Tandem Dual-Rotor Systems for Tiltrotor UAV Drones UAV non-parallel rotor system aerodynamic interaction VTOL |
| title | Experimental Investigation of Aerodynamic Interaction in Non-Parallel Tandem Dual-Rotor Systems for Tiltrotor UAV |
| title_full | Experimental Investigation of Aerodynamic Interaction in Non-Parallel Tandem Dual-Rotor Systems for Tiltrotor UAV |
| title_fullStr | Experimental Investigation of Aerodynamic Interaction in Non-Parallel Tandem Dual-Rotor Systems for Tiltrotor UAV |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experimental Investigation of Aerodynamic Interaction in Non-Parallel Tandem Dual-Rotor Systems for Tiltrotor UAV |
| title_short | Experimental Investigation of Aerodynamic Interaction in Non-Parallel Tandem Dual-Rotor Systems for Tiltrotor UAV |
| title_sort | experimental investigation of aerodynamic interaction in non parallel tandem dual rotor systems for tiltrotor uav |
| topic | UAV non-parallel rotor system aerodynamic interaction VTOL |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/5/374 |
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