@article{KochBoehnischVerdoncketal.2024,
  author    = {Koch, Christopher and B{\"o}hnisch, Nils and Verdonck, Hendrik and Hach, Oliver and Braun, Carsten},
  title     = {Comparison of unsteady low- and mid-fidelity propeller aerodynamic methods for whirl flutter applications},
  series = {Applied Sciences},
  volume    = {14},
  journal   = {Applied Sciences},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {MDPI},
  address   = {Basel},
  issn      = {2076-3417},
  doi       = {10.3390/app14020850},
  pages     = {1 -- 28},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {Aircraft configurations with propellers have been drawing more attention in recent times, partly due to new propulsion concepts based on hydrogen fuel cells and electric motors. These configurations are prone to whirl flutter, which is an aeroelastic instability affecting airframes with elastically supported propellers. It commonly needs to be mitigated already during the design phase of such configurations, requiring, among other things, unsteady aerodynamic transfer functions for the propeller. However, no comprehensive assessment of unsteady propeller aerodynamics for aeroelastic analysis is available in the literature. This paper provides a detailed comparison of nine different low- to mid-fidelity aerodynamic methods, demonstrating their impact on linear, unsteady aerodynamics, as well as whirl flutter stability prediction. Quasi-steady and unsteady methods for blade lift with or without coupling to blade element momentum theory are evaluated and compared to mid-fidelity potential flow solvers (UPM and DUST) and classical, derivative-based methods. Time-domain identification of frequency-domain transfer functions for the unsteady propeller hub loads is used to compare the different methods. Predictions of the minimum required pylon stiffness for stability show good agreement among the mid-fidelity methods. The differences in the stability predictions for the low-fidelity methods are higher. Most methods studied yield a more unstable system than classical, derivative-based whirl flutter analysis, indicating that the use of more sophisticated aerodynamic modeling techniques might be required for accurate whirl flutter prediction.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BergmannGoettenBraunetal.2022,
  author    = {Bergmann, Ole and G{\"o}tten, Falk and Braun, Carsten and Janser, Frank},
  title     = {Comparison and evaluation of blade element methods against RANS simulations and test data},
  series = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {Wien},
  issn      = {1869-5590 (Online)},
  doi       = {10.1007/s13272-022-00579-1},
  pages     = {535 -- 557},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {This paper compares several blade element theory (BET) method-based propeller simulation tools, including an evaluation against static propeller ground tests and high-fidelity Reynolds-Average Navier Stokes (RANS) simulations. Two proprietary propeller geometries for paraglider applications are analysed in static and flight conditions. The RANS simulations are validated with the static test data and used as a reference for comparing the BET in flight conditions. The comparison includes the analysis of varying 2D aerodynamic airfoil parameters and different induced velocity calculation methods. The evaluation of the BET propeller simulation tools shows the strength of the BET tools compared to RANS simulations. The RANS simulations underpredict static experimental data within 10\% relative error, while appropriate BET tools overpredict the RANS results by 15-20\% relative error. A variation in 2D aerodynamic data depicts the need for highly accurate 2D data for accurate BET results. The nonlinear BET coupled with XFOIL for the 2D aerodynamic data matches best with RANS in static operation and flight conditions. The novel BET tool PropCODE combines both approaches and offers further correction models for highly accurate static and flight condition results.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{FingerBraunBil2020,
  author    = {Finger, Felix and Braun, Carsten and Bil, Cees},
  title     = {Comparative assessment of parallel-hybrid-electric propulsion systems for four different aircraft},
  series = {Journal of Aircraft},
  volume    = {57},
  journal   = {Journal of Aircraft},
  number    = {5},
  publisher = {AIAA},
  address   = {Reston, Va.},
  issn      = {1533-3868},
  doi       = {10.2514/1.C035897},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Until electric energy storage systems are ready to allow fully electric aircraft, the combination of combustion engine and electric motor as a hybrid-electric propulsion system seems to be a promising intermediate solution. Consequently, the design space for future aircraft is expanded considerably, as serial hybrid-electric, parallel hybrid-electric, fully electric, and conventional propulsion systems must all be considered. While the best propulsion system depends on a multitude of requirements and considerations, trends can be observed for certain types of aircraft and certain types of missions. This Paper provides insight into some factors that drive a new design toward either conventional or hybrid propulsion systems. General aviation aircraft, regional transport aircraft vertical takeoff and landing air taxis, and unmanned aerial vehicles are chosen as case studies. Typical missions for each class are considered, and the aircraft are analyzed regarding their takeoff mass and primary energy consumption. For these case studies, a high-level approach is chosen, using an initial sizing methodology. Only parallel-hybrid-electric powertrains are taken into account. Aeropropulsive interaction effects are neglected. Results indicate that hybrid-electric propulsion systems should be considered if the propulsion system is sized by short-duration power constraints. However, if the propulsion system is sized by a continuous power requirement, hybrid-electric systems offer hardly any benefit.},
  language  = {en}
}
@inproceedings{FingerBraunBil2020,
  author    = {Finger, Felix and Braun, Carsten and Bil, Cees},
  title     = {Comparative assessment of parallel-hybrid-electric propulsion systems for four different aircraft},
  series = {AIAA Scitech 2020 Forum},
  booktitle = {AIAA Scitech 2020 Forum},
  doi       = {10.2514/6.2020-1502},
  pages     = {15 Seiten},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {As battery technologies advance, electric propulsion concepts are on the edge of disrupting aviation markets. However, until electric energy storage systems are ready to allow fully electric aircraft, the combination of combustion engine and electric motor as a hybrid-electric propulsion system seems to be a promising intermediate solution. Consequently, the design space for future aircraft is expanded considerably, as serial-hybrid-, parallel-hybrid-, fully-electric, and conventional propulsion systems must all be considered. While the best propulsion system depends on a multitude of requirements and considerations, trends can be observed for certain types of aircraft and certain types of missions. This paper provides insight into some factors that drive a new design towards either conventional or hybrid propulsion systems. General aviation aircraft, VTOL air taxis, transport aircraft, and UAVs are chosen as case studies. Typical missions for each class are considered, and the aircraft are analyzed regarding their take-off mass and primary energy consumption. For these case studies, a high-level approach is chosen, using an initial sizing methodology. Results indicate that hybrid-electric propulsion systems should be considered if the propulsion system is sized by short-duration power constraints (e.g. take-off, climb). However, if the propulsion system is sized by a continuous power requirement (e.g. cruise), hybrid-electric systems offer hardly any benefit.},
  language  = {en}
}
@inproceedings{FingerBraunBil2018,
  author    = {Finger, Felix and Braun, Carsten and Bil, Cees},
  title     = {Case studies in initial sizing for hybrid-electric general aviation aircraft},
  series = {2018 AIAA/IEEE Electric Aircraft Technologies Symposium, Cincinnati, Ohio},
  booktitle = {2018 AIAA/IEEE Electric Aircraft Technologies Symposium, Cincinnati, Ohio},
  doi       = {10.2514/6.2018-5005},
  year      = {2018},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ThomessenThomaBraun2023,
  author    = {Thomessen, Karolin and Thoma, Andreas and Braun, Carsten},
  title     = {Bio-inspired altitude changing extension to the 3DVFH* local obstacle avoidance algorithm},
  series = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  journal   = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {Wien},
  issn      = {1869-5590 (Online)},
  doi       = {10.1007/s13272-023-00691-w},
  pages     = {11 Seiten},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Obstacle avoidance is critical for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating autonomously. Obstacle avoidance algorithms either rely on global environment data or local sensor data. Local path planners react to unforeseen objects and plan purely on local sensor information. Similarly, animals need to find feasible paths based on local information about their surroundings. Therefore, their behavior is a valuable source of inspiration for path planning. Bumblebees tend to fly vertically over far-away obstacles and horizontally around close ones, implying two zones for different flight strategies depending on the distance to obstacles. This work enhances the local path planner 3DVFH* with this bio-inspired strategy. The algorithm alters the goal-driven function of the 3DVFH* to climb-preferring if obstacles are far away. Prior experiments with bumblebees led to two definitions of flight zone limits depending on the distance to obstacles, leading to two algorithm variants. Both variants reduce the probability of not reaching the goal of a 3DVFH* implementation in Matlab/Simulink. The best variant, 3DVFH*b-b, reduces this probability from 70.7 to 18.6\% in city-like worlds using a strong vertical evasion strategy. Energy consumption is higher, and flight paths are longer compared to the algorithm version with pronounced horizontal evasion tendency. A parameter study analyzes the effect of different weighting factors in the cost function. The best parameter combination shows a failure probability of 6.9\% in city-like worlds and reduces energy consumption by 28\%. Our findings demonstrate the potential of bio-inspired approaches for improving the performance of local path planning algorithms for UAV.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LaarmannThomaMischetal.2023,
  author    = {Laarmann, Lukas and Thoma, Andreas and Misch, Philipp and R{\"o}th, Thilo and Braun, Carsten and Watkins, Simon and Fard, Mohammad},
  title     = {Automotive safety approach for future eVTOL vehicles},
  series = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  journal   = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  publisher = {Springer Nature},
  issn      = {1869-5590 (Online)},
  doi       = {10.1007/s13272-023-00655-0},
  pages     = {11 Seiten},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {The eVTOL industry is a rapidly growing mass market expected to start in 2024. eVTOL compete, caused by their predicted missions, with ground-based transportation modes, including mainly passenger cars. Therefore, the automotive and classical aircraft design process is reviewed and compared to highlight advantages for eVTOL development. A special focus is on ergonomic comfort and safety. The need for further investigation of eVTOL's crashworthiness is outlined by, first, specifying the relevance of passive safety via accident statistics and customer perception analysis; second, comparing the current state of regulation and certification; and third, discussing the advantages of integral safety and applying the automotive safety approach for eVTOL development. Integral safety links active and passive safety, while the automotive safety approach means implementing standardized mandatory full-vehicle crash tests for future eVTOL. Subsequently, possible crash impact conditions are analyzed, and three full-vehicle crash load cases are presented.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MoehrenBergmannJanseretal.2024,
  author    = {M{\"o}hren, Felix and Bergmann, Ole and Janser, Frank and Braun, Carsten},
  title     = {Assessment of structural mechanical effects related to torsional deformations of propellers},
  series = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  journal   = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {Wien},
  issn      = {1869-5590 (eISSN)},
  doi       = {10.1007/s13272-024-00737-7},
  pages     = {22 Seiten},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {Lifting propellers are of increasing interest for Advanced Air Mobility. All propellers and rotors are initially twisted beams, showing significant extension-twist coupling and centrifugal twisting. Torsional deformations severely impact aerodynamic performance. This paper presents a novel approach to assess different reasons for torsional deformations. A reduced-order model runs large parameter sweeps with algebraic formulations and numerical solution procedures. Generic beams represent three different propeller types for General Aviation, Commercial Aviation, and Advanced Air Mobility. Simulations include solid and hollow cross-sections made of aluminum, steel, and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. The investigation shows that centrifugal twisting moments depend on both the elastic and initial twist. The determination of the centrifugal twisting moment solely based on the initial twist suffers from errors exceeding 5\% in some cases. The nonlinear parts of the torsional rigidity do not significantly impact the overall torsional rigidity for the investigated propeller types. The extension-twist coupling related to the initial and elastic twist in combination with tension forces significantly impacts the net cross-sectional torsional loads. While the increase in torsional stiffness due to initial twist contributes to the overall stiffness for General and Commercial Aviation propellers, its contribution to the lift propeller's stiffness is limited. The paper closes with the presentation of approximations for each effect identified as significant. Numerical evaluations are necessary to determine each effect for inhomogeneous cross-sections made of anisotropic material.},
  language  = {en}
}
@inproceedings{ReimerBraunBallmann2006,
  author    = {Reimer, Lars and Braun, Carsten and Ballmann, Josef},
  title     = {Analysis of the static and dynamic aero-structural response of an elastic swept wing model by direct aeroelastic simulation},
  series = {ICAS 2006 proceedings : 25th Congress of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences ; Hamburg, Germany, 3 - 8 September, 2006 : 25th International Congress of Aeronautical Sciences},
  booktitle = {ICAS 2006 proceedings : 25th Congress of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences ; Hamburg, Germany, 3 - 8 September, 2006 : 25th International Congress of Aeronautical Sciences},
  publisher = {Optimage},
  address   = {Edinburgh},
  organization    = {International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS)},
  isbn      = {0-9533991-7-6},
  pages     = {Paper No. 2006-10.3.3},
  year      = {2006},
  language  = {en}
}
@inproceedings{FingerBraunBil2018,
  author    = {Finger, Felix and Braun, Carsten and Bil, Cees},
  title     = {An Initial Sizing Methodology for Hybrid-Electric Light Aircraft},
  series = {AIAA AVIATION Forum 2018 Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, June 25 - 29, 2018},
  booktitle = {AIAA AVIATION Forum 2018 Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, June 25 - 29, 2018},
  doi       = {10.2514/6.2018-4229},
  year      = {2018},
  language  = {en}
}