Performance Optimization of Forward-Flight and Lift-Up Phases in a Cycloidal Rotor Using an Active Control Mechanism
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 34, Issue 4
Abstract
Cycloidal rotors have revealed a noticeable potential to be further enhanced when running at different operating conditions. The present work demonstrates the active control methodology in order to achieve improved performances in cycloidal rotors operating in forward-flight and lift-up phases. The proposed optimization analysis comprises computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for the numerical database and an artificial neural network (ANN) to propose optimum operating states in each of the mentioned flying phases instead of the hover state under ground effects. CFD predictions were conducted for various operating conditions of pitching oscillations and rotating speeds at each forward or lift-up speed. By training the ANN algorithm using the database attained from CFD simulations, the optimization process was further surveyed for each corresponding flying mode. The targeting concept is to operate with an active mode of employing pitching angles rather than using constant oscillations at all rotation speeds. The ANN approach effectively proposed an optimized pitching schedule for both forward and lift-up phases after analyzing a wide range of parameters in order to reach an optimum aerodynamic efficiency. Because the blade and flow properties are all considered at each specific point on the continuous azimuth of the circular (360°) trajectory, the mutual collaboration of CFD and ANN analysis showed to be advantageous for enhanced operations.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
This paper is mainly supported by the project Centro-01-0145-FEDER-000017—EMaDeS—Energy, Materials and Sustainable Developement, cofinanced by the Portugal 2020 Program (PT2020), within the Regional Operational Program of the Center (CENTRO2020) and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The authors also wish to thank the support from European Union project of Cycloidal Rotor for Optimized and Propulsion (CROP) within the 7th Framework Programme under Grant No. 323047. This work was carried out in C-MAST–Center for Mechanical and Aerospace Sciences and Technologies, Research Unit No. 151.
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Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 34 • Issue 4 • July 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 21, 2020
Accepted: Jan 4, 2021
Published online: Apr 28, 2021
Published in print: Jul 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Sep 28, 2021
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