Contra-Rotating Propeller Modelling for Open Rotor Engine Performance Simulations

Abstract

This paper presents a method for modelling contra-rotating propellers (CRP) for engine performance simulations. An in-house free-wake lifting surface tool (GENUVP) is used to generate suitable performance maps for each propeller that express power and thrust coefficient in terms of advance ratio, flight Mach number, speed ratio and blade pitch angle of each propeller. Appropriate component models that utilize these maps are then developed in a commercial engine performance simulation environment (PROOSIS). Next, the propeller components are integrated in a direct-drive open rotor engine model. Finally, design point and off-design simulations are carried out that demonstrate the use of the model through studies of different propeller blade angle control strategies.