Analysis of Rotor/Propeller/Fuselage Interaction Characteristics of High-speed Helicopter

Abstract

The study on aerodynamic characteristics of high-speed helicopter with double-thrust-propeller can provide the reference for the design and aerodynamic optimization of high-speed helicopter. Based on the momentum source method, a numerical calculation and analysis method for the rotor/propeller/fuselage interaction characteristics of a high-speed helicopter with double-thrust-propeller is constructed. The isolated rotor and rotor/fuselage interaction is verified with examples. The disturbing flow field in the hovering and forward flight state of the double-thrust-propeller high-speed composite helicopter is numerically simulated by using the constructed method. The disturbance of the fuselage to the hovering flow field and the rotor/propeller/fuselage interaction characteristics at different forward flight velocities are analyzed. The results show that the blocking effect of the fuselage on the airflow reduces the lift of the rotor while the propeller is under the rotor, The acceleration of the wash air increases the lift of the rotor; the rotor/propeller/fuselage interaction is greater at low-speed forward flight, which is mainly reflected in the deflection of the propeller slipstream caused by the downwash of the rotor and the increase of the pressure distribution on the upper surface of the wing, while the interaction is smaller at high-speed forward flight.

Keywords

• momentum source
• composite high-speed helicopter
• interaction flowfield
• rotor
• propeller
• fuselage