Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Low Aspect Ratio Wing and Propeller Interaction for a Tilt-Body MAV

Abstract

An experimental investigation of the interaction of a propeller-wing configuration for a tilt body MAV VTOL was performed in the low speed wind tunnel. This study's primary objective is to present the effect of the interactions between a low aspect ratio wing and propeller for a range of incidence in transition between horizontal and vertical flight. During the transition from horizontal flight to vertical flight or vice versa, the flow patterns seen by the wing are the result of the combination between the free-stream and the propeller flow. This was reflected in the change of the aerodynamic forces and moments of the wing. The model is a tractor configuration propeller and with a wing of aspect ratio equal to one, the airfoil of the wing is a NACA 0012. All tests were conducted at low speeds in a range from 2 to 8 m/s. In order to simulate the transition flight of a tilt-body MAV VTOL a range of incidence from −10 to 90 degrees was used. The results show that the flow of the propeller certainly improves the aerodynamic characteristics of the wing, increasing the lift and delaying stall with respect to the flight path of the MAV.