Automated generation of aerofoil characteristics for rotorcraft application

Abstract

PurposeRotor performance analysis and design are complex due to the wide variation in flow characteristics. Design tools that can rapidly and accurately compute aerofoil data are needed for rotorcraft design and analysis purposes. The purpose of this paper is to describe a process which has been developed that effectively automates the generation of two‐dimensional (2D) aerofoil characteristics tables.Design/methodology/approachThe process associates a number of commercial software packages and in‐house codes that employ diverse methodologies, including the Navier‐Stokes equation‐solving method, the high‐order panel method and Euler equations solved with the fully coupled viscous‐inviscid interaction (VII) method. The paper describes the development of a general automated generation method that extends from aerofoil shape generation to aerofoil characteristic analysis. The generated data are stored in C81 aerofoil characteristics tables for use in comprehensive rotorcraft analysis codes and rotor blade design. In addition, the methodology could be easily applied for fixed‐wing analysis and design, especially for transonic aircraft.FindingsThe method is demonstrated to achieve aerofoil characteristics quickly and accurately in automated process. Calculations for the SC1095 aerofoil section are presented and compared with existing experimental C81 data and previous studies.Practical implicationsThe development of C81 tables is of interest to industry as they seek to update their airfoil tables as new designs. Automated processes to achieve this are helpful and applicable.Originality/valueThe paper presents an effective automated process to generate aerofoil characteristics tables quickly, and accurately.