Blade Tip Propellor-Driven Autogiro Basic Aeromechanics Characterization
Abstract
The Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center (AGRC) at the University of Maryland proposes to develop a scalable methodology for a blade tippropeller-driven autogiro for naval resupply logistics. This novel configuration would be capable of vertical takeoff and nearly vertical landing, while also using wings to achieve fixed wing cruise efficiency. An autogiro configuration eliminates the mechanical gearboxes, transmission shafts, and the tail rotor of a traditional single main rotor helicopter, and replaces them with a simple hub design and traditional fixed wing control surfaces in forward flight. The goal of this research is to conduct systematic experiments to characterize both hover and forward flight performance of a dynamically-scaled 6-ft diameter rotors using in house experimental facilities. In parallel, the objective is to develop prediction methodology, starting from legacy methodology of conventional rotors to a detailed finite-element based comprehensive analysis using in house code UMARC (University of Maryland Advanced Rotorcraft Code) as a baseline platform and validate it systematically for different flight conditions. The goal is to determine critical scaling relationships for larger blade tip propellor autogiro configurations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 29, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312534
Entities
People
- Inderjit Chopra
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Maryland