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Computational Study of Flow Over Elliptic Airfoils For Scholars' Mine Masters Theses Student Theses and Dissertations Fall 2007 Computational study of flow vo er elliptic airfoils for rotor/wing unmanned aerial vehicle applications Timothy William Assel Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses Part of the Aerospace Engineering Commons Department: Recommended Citation Assel, Timothy William, "Computational study of flow vo er elliptic airfoils for rotor/wing unmanned aerial vehicle applications" (2007). Masters Theses. 4598. https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/4598 This thesis is brought to you by Scholars' Mine, a service of the Missouri S&T Library and Learning Resources. This work is protected by U. S. Copyright Law. Unauthorized use including reproduction for redistribution requires the permission of the copyright holder. For more information, please contact [email protected]. COMPUTATIONAL STUDY OF FLOW OVER ELLIPTIC AIRFOILS FOR ROTOR/WING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE APPLICATIONS BY TIMOTHY WILLIAM ASSEL A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ROLLA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AEROSPACE ENGINEERING 2007 APPROVED BY _______________________________ _______________________________ DR. FATHI FINAISH, ADVISOR DR. D.W. RIGGINS _______________________________ DR. K.M. ISAAC 2007 Timothy William Assel All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Elliptic airfoil geometries have been used extensively in the development of Rotor/Wing aircraft. Most recently elliptic airfoils have been employed in the development of Rotor/Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). UAVs play an expanding role in military and civil applications. Much research has been conducted recently in the area of Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) UAVs, and a significant amount of research has gone into the development of a Rotor/Wing UAV for VTOL applications. However, a lack of research has been published regarding the aerodynamic performance and flow characteristics of elliptic airfoils in parameter ranges which would be applicable in the design and development of Rotor/Wing UAVs. This data is of significant importance to Rotor/Wing UAV design and development due to the complexity of flow developments about elliptic airfoils including: flow separation over the leading edge, flow reattachment over suction surface of the airfoil, and vortex shedding downstream of the airfoil. The purpose of this study will be to conduct a parametric investigation on the performance of elliptic airfoils for Rotor/Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The objective of this study is to conduct a two-dimensional, aerodynamic analysis on a various elliptic airfoil parameters, compare the results of the analysis with theoretical predictions and experimental results, and evaluate handling and performance characteristics of Rotor/Wing UAVs during hover, transition, and forward flight. It is hoped that the results of this study would provide a better understanding of the aerodynamic performance and flow characteristics of elliptic airfoils, and that the results of this study would be employed in the research and development of future Rotor/Wing technology and VTOL UAV designs. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would first like to thank my advisor, Dr. Fathi Finaish, who has devoted time and patience to guide me throughout my research, has spent years working with me to develop a basis of knowledge and skills for investigation into ideas and presentation of results, and has provided the wisdom, the insight and the opportunity for intellectual independence and creativity which has made this thesis a possibility. I am also very grateful to the members of my committee: Dr. Issac and Dr. Riggins, who have been mentors during my college career and have provided the encouragement and inspiration that has brought me through the completion of this study. I would also like to thank the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla for providing the education, facilities and funding necessary for me to complete my academic studies. I would like to express a deep appreciation for my fellow researchers and friends in the UMR Flight Simulation Laboratory who assisted and educated me in the most random, diverse, and unexpected ways; including: Keith Norton, Peter Cross, Josiah Elliot, Tyler Winter and Ben Bettis. Lastly, I would like to express my greatest thankfulness for my family, who have always been there for me with support, encouragement and wisdom; especially my Father, who from my very beginning has taught me the value of hard work and determination, the importance of learning and common sense and, most importantly, to have faith in God and to trust always in His wisdom and grace. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. iv LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS............................................................................................ vii LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................. xi NOMENCLATURE ......................................................................................................... xii 1. INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 1 1.1. RECENT ADVANCEMENTS IN UAV TECHNOLOGY................................ 1 1.1.1. Expanding Interest in UAVs. ................................................................... 1 1.1.2. Brief Survey of VTOL UAVs Currently in Development. ...................... 1 1.2. LITERATURE SURVEY................................................................................... 6 1.2.1. Brief History of Rotor/Wing Research..................................................... 7 1.2.2. Recent Developments in Canard Rotor/Wing Technology...................... 8 1.2.3. Studies in Flow over Elliptic Airfoils and Cylinders ............................. 10 1.3. SCOPE OF THIS STUDY................................................................................ 13 1.3.1. The Flow Problem and Selected Parameter Range ................................ 14 1.3.2. Validation of Methodology .................................................................. 155 2. COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH ......................................................................... 17 2.1. FLOWFIELD SIMULATION ABOUT AN AIRFOIL.................................... 17 2.1.1. Flowfield Grid Generation Technique .... Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.1.1.1 Surface Geometry Definition Technique....................................17 2.1.1.2 Surface Grid Generation Technique. ..........................................18 2.1.1.3 Volume Grid Generation Technique...........................................21 2.1.2. Flowfield Solution Methodology ............ Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.1.2.1 Description of Flow Solver.........................................................26 2.1.2.2 Flow Input Parameters ................................................................26 2.1.2.3 Boundary Conditions ..................................................................26 2.1.2.4 Turbulence Models .....................................................................27 2.1.2.5 Post-Processing...........................................................................27 vi 2.1.2.5.1 Numerical Analysis..................................................... 27 2.1.2.5.2 Visual Analysis ........................................................... 28 3. VALIDATION OF METHODOLOGY................................................................... 29 3.1. VALIDATION TEST CASE PROCEDURES................................................. 29 3.1.1. Validation Test Case Grid Generation ................................................... 29 3.1.2. Flow Solver Input Parameters ................................................................ 30 3.2. RESULTS OF CFD ANALYSIS FOR A 16% ELLIPTIC AIRFOIL ............. 31 3.2.1. Note on Laminar Separation Bubble...................................................... 43 3.3. EXPERIMENTAL DATA FOR A 16% THICK ELLIPTIC AIRFOIL .......... 43 3.4. COMPARISON OF CFD RESULTS WITH EXPERIMENTAL DATA........ 47 3.4.1. Note on Pitching Moment Coefficient ................................................... 53 3.5. CONCLUDING REMARKS............................................................................ 54 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION .............................................................................. 55 4.1. PARAMETRIC STUDY OF ELLIPTIC AIRFOIL PERFORMANCE........... 55 4.1.1. Influence Reynolds Number on Airfoil Lift Characteristics.................. 55 4.1.2. Influence of Reynolds Number on Airfoil Drag Characteristics............ 61 4.1.3. Influence of Reynolds Number on Lift to Drag Performance................ 63 4.1.4. Influence of Reynolds Number on Pitching Moment ............................ 64 4.1.5. Influence of Reynolds Number on Flow Developments........................ 65 4.1.6. Influence of Thickness Ratio on Airfoil Lift Characteristics................. 73 4.1.7. Influence of Thickness Ratio on Airfoil Drag Characteristics............... 77 4.1.8. Influence of Thickness Ratio on Lift to Drag Performance ................... 79 4.1.9. Influence of Thickness Ratio on Pitching Moment...............................
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