@article{BergmannMoehrenBraunetal.2023, author = {Bergmann, Ole and M{\"o}hren, Felix and Braun, Carsten and Janser, Frank}, title = {On the influence of elasticity on swept propeller noise}, series = {AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum}, journal = {AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum}, publisher = {AIAA}, doi = {10.2514/6.2023-0210}, year = {2023}, abstract = {High aerodynamic efficiency requires propellers with high aspect ratios, while propeller sweep potentially reduces noise. Propeller sweep and high aspect ratios increase elasticity and coupling of structural mechanics and aerodynamics, affecting the propeller performance and noise. Therefore, this paper analyzes the influence of elasticity on forward-swept, backward-swept, and unswept propellers in hover conditions. A reduced-order blade element momentum approach is coupled with a one-dimensional Timoshenko beam theory and Farassat's formulation 1A. The results of the aeroelastic simulation are used as input for the aeroacoustic calculation. The analysis shows that elasticity influences noise radiation because thickness and loading noise respond differently to deformations. In the case of the backward-swept propeller, the location of the maximum sound pressure level shifts forward by 0.5 °, while in the case of the forward-swept propeller, it shifts backward by 0.5 °. Therefore, aeroacoustic optimization requires the consideration of propeller deformation.}, language = {en} } @article{BoehnischBraunMuscarelloetal.2024, author = {B{\"o}hnisch, Nils and Braun, Carsten and Muscarello, Vincenzo and Marzocca, Pier}, title = {About the wing and whirl flutter of a slender wing-propeller system}, series = {Journal of Aircraft}, journal = {Journal of Aircraft}, publisher = {American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics}, issn = {1533-3868}, doi = {10.2514/1.C037542}, pages = {1 -- 14}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Next-generation aircraft designs often incorporate multiple large propellers attached along the wingspan (distributed electric propulsion), leading to highly flexible dynamic systems that can exhibit aeroelastic instabilities. This paper introduces a validated methodology to investigate the aeroelastic instabilities of wing-propeller systems and to understand the dynamic mechanism leading to wing and whirl flutter and transition from one to the other. Factors such as nacelle positions along the wing span and chord and its propulsion system mounting stiffness are considered. Additionally, preliminary design guidelines are proposed for flutter-free wing-propeller systems applicable to novel aircraft designs. The study demonstrates how the critical speed of the wing-propeller systems is influenced by the mounting stiffness and propeller position. Weak mounting stiffnesses result in whirl flutter, while hard mounting stiffnesses lead to wing flutter. For the latter, the position of the propeller along the wing span may change the wing mode shapes and thus the flutter mechanism. Propeller positions closer to the wing tip enhance stability, but pusher configurations are more critical due to the mass distribution behind the elastic axis.}, language = {en} } @article{BoehnischBraunMuscarelloetal.2023, author = {B{\"o}hnisch, Nils and Braun, Carsten and Muscarello, Vincenzo and Marzocca, Pier}, title = {A sensitivity study on aeroelastic instabilities of slender wings with a large propeller}, series = {AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum}, journal = {AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum}, publisher = {AIAA}, doi = {10.2514/6.2023-1893}, pages = {1 -- 14}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Next-generation aircraft designs often incorporate multiple large propellers attached along the wingspan. These highly flexible dynamic systems can exhibit uncommon aeroelastic instabilities, which should be carefully investigated to ensure safe operation. The interaction between the propeller and the wing is of particular importance. It is known that whirl flutter is stabilized by wing motion and wing aerodynamics. This paper investigates the effect of a propeller onto wing flutter as a function of span position and mounting stiffness between the propeller and wing. The analysis of a comparison between a tractor and pusher configuration has shown that the coupled system is more stable than the standalone wing for propeller positions near the wing tip for both configurations. The wing fluttermechanism is mostly affected by the mass of the propeller and the resulting change in eigenfrequencies of the wing. For very weak mounting stiffnesses, whirl flutter occurs, which was shown to be stabilized compared to a standalone propeller due to wing motion. On the other hand, the pusher configuration is, as to be expected, the more critical configuration due to the attached mass behind the elastic axis.}, language = {de} } @article{DachwaldCarnelliVasile2009, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Carnelli, Ian and Vasile, Massimiliano}, title = {Evolutionary Neurocontrol: A Novel Method for Low-Thrust Gravity-Assist Trajectory Optimization / Carnelli, Ian ; Dachwald, Bernd ; Vasile, Massimiliano}, series = {Journal of guidance control and dynamics. 32 (2009), H. 2}, journal = {Journal of guidance control and dynamics. 32 (2009), H. 2}, publisher = {AIAA}, address = {Reston, Va.}, isbn = {0731-5090}, pages = {616 -- 625}, year = {2009}, 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} } @article{GoettenHavermannBraunetal.2020, author = {G{\"o}tten, Falk and Havermann, Marc and Braun, Carsten and Marino, Matthew and Bil, Cees}, title = {Airfoil drag at low-to-medium reynolds numbers: A novel estimation method}, series = {AIAA Journal}, volume = {58}, journal = {AIAA Journal}, number = {7}, publisher = {AIAA}, address = {Reston, Va.}, issn = {1533-385X}, doi = {10.2514/1.J058983}, pages = {2791 -- 2805}, year = {2020}, abstract = {This paper presents a novel method for airfoil drag estimation at Reynolds numbers between 4×10⁵ and 4×10⁶. The novel method is based on a systematic study of 40 airfoils applying over 600 numerical simulations and considering natural transition. The influence of the airfoil thickness-to-chord ratio, camber, and freestream Reynolds number on both friction and pressure drag is analyzed in detail. Natural transition significantly affects drag characteristics and leads to distinct drag minima for different Reynolds numbers and thickness-to-chord ratios. The results of the systematic study are used to develop empirical correlations that can accurately predict an airfoil drag at low-lift conditions. The new approach estimates a transition location based on airfoil thickness-to-chord ratio, camber, and Reynolds number. It uses the transition location in a mixed laminar-turbulent skin-friction calculation, and corrects the skin-friction coefficient for separation effects. Pressure drag is estimated separately based on correlations of thickness-to-chord ratio, camber, and Reynolds number. The novel method shows excellent accuracy when compared with wind-tunnel measurements of multiple airfoils. It is easily integrable into existing aircraft design environments and is highly beneficial in the conceptual design stage.}, language = {en} } @article{GoettenHavermannBraunetal.2020, author = {G{\"o}tten, Falk and Havermann, Marc and Braun, Carsten and Marino, Matthew and Bil, Cees}, title = {Improved Form Factor for Drag Estimation of Fuselages with Various Cross Sections}, series = {Journal of Aircraft}, journal = {Journal of Aircraft}, publisher = {AIAA}, address = {Reston, Va.}, issn = {1533-3868}, doi = {10.2514/1.C036032}, pages = {1 -- 13}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The paper presents an aerodynamic investigation of 70 different streamlined bodies with fineness ratios ranging from 2 to 10. The bodies are chosen to idealize both unmanned and small manned aircraft fuselages and feature cross-sectional shapes that vary from circular to quadratic. The study focuses on friction and pressure drag in dependency of the individual body's fineness ratio and cross section. The drag forces are normalized with the respective body's wetted area to comply with an empirical drag estimation procedure. Although the friction drag coefficient then stays rather constant for all bodies, their pressure drag coefficients decrease with an increase in fineness ratio. Referring the pressure drag coefficient to the bodies' cross-sectional areas shows a distinct pressure drag minimum at a fineness ratio of about three. The pressure drag of bodies with a quadratic cross section is generally higher than for bodies of revolution. The results are used to derive an improved form factor that can be employed in a classic empirical drag estimation method. The improved formulation takes both the fineness ratio and cross-sectional shape into account. It shows superior accuracy in estimating streamlined body drag when compared with experimental data and other form factor formulations of the literature.}, language = {en} } @article{GoettenHavermannBraunetal.2021, author = {G{\"o}tten, Falk and Havermann, Marc and Braun, Carsten and Marino, Matthew and Bil, Cees}, title = {Aerodynamic Investigations of UAV Sensor Turrets - A Combined Wind-tunnel and CFD Approach}, series = {SciTech 2021, AIAA SciTech Forum, online, WW, Jan 11-15, 2021}, journal = {SciTech 2021, AIAA SciTech Forum, online, WW, Jan 11-15, 2021}, publisher = {AIAA}, address = {Reston, Va.}, doi = {10.2514/6.2021-1535}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{HilleStumpfMayntzetal.2023, author = {Hille, Sebastian and Stumpf, Eike and Mayntz, Joscha and Dahmann, Peter}, title = {Prediction of sound exposure caused by a landing motor glider with recuperating propellers}, series = {AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum}, booktitle = {AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum}, publisher = {AIAA}, doi = {10.2514/6.2023-0211}, year = {2023}, abstract = {This paper presents an approach to predicting the sound exposure on the ground caused by a landing aircraft with recuperating propellers. The noise source along the trajectory of a flight specified for a steeper approach is simulated based on measurements of sound power levels and additional parameters of a single propeller placed in a wind tunnel. To validate the measured data/measurement results, these simulations are also supported by overflight measurements of a test aircraft. It is shown that the simple source models of propellers do not provide fully satisfactory results since the sound levels are estimated too low. Nevertheless, with a further reference comparison, margins for an acceptable increase in the sound power level of the aircraft on its now steeper approach path could be estimated. Thus, in this case, a +7 dB increase in SWL would not increase the SEL compared to the conventional approach within only 2 km ahead of the airfield.}, language = {en} } @article{HoevelerBauknechtWolfetal.2020, author = {Hoeveler, B. and Bauknecht, Andr{\´e} and Wolf, C. Christian and Janser, Frank}, title = {Wind-Tunnel Study of a Wing-Embedded Lifting Fan Remaining Open in Cruise Flight}, series = {Journal of Aircraft}, volume = {57}, journal = {Journal of Aircraft}, number = {4}, publisher = {AIAA}, address = {Reston, Va.}, issn = {1533-3868}, doi = {10.2514/1.C035422}, year = {2020}, abstract = {It is investigated whether a nonrotating lifting fan remaining uncovered during cruise flight, as opposed to being covered by a shutter system, can be realized with limited additional drag and loss of lift during cruise flight. A wind-tunnel study of a wing-embedded lifting fan has been conducted at the Side Wind Test Facility G{\"o}ttingen of DLR, German Aerospace Center in G{\"o}ttingen using force, pressure, and stereoscopic particle image velocimetry techniques. The study showed that a step on the lower side of the wing in front of the lifting fan duct increases the lift-to-drag ratio of the whole model by up to 25\% for all positive angles of attack. Different sizes and inclinations of the step had limited influence on the surface pressure distribution. The data indicate that these parameters can be optimized to maximize the lift-to-drag ratio. A doubling of the curvature radius of the lifting fan duct inlet lip on the upper side of the wing affected the lift-to-drag ratio by less than 1\%. The lifting fan duct inlet curvature can therefore be optimized to maximize the vertical fan thrust of the rotating lifting fan during hovering without affecting the cruise flight performance with a nonrotating fan.}, language = {en} }