Computational characterization of unsteady rotor hub wakes

Forrest Mobley, Tristan Wall, James G. Coder

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Reynolds stresses and turbulent kinetic energy are studied in the wakes for several helicopter rotor hub geometries in forward flight. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are performed using NASA's OVERFLOW 2.2n Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes solver. The simulations impose flow conditions based on previous and current experimental and numerical studies. Discrete Fourier Transforms (DFT) are used to examine velocity harmonics for several frequencies and compared against experimental data. Components of the Reynolds stress tensor are computed and examined. Production, transport, and flux of the turbulent kinetic energy are examined through the rotor hub wakes at six streamwise coordinates. Proper orthogonal decomposition is also used to examine a dominant component of the Reynolds stress tensor. It was found that the scissor arms, previously found to have a significant effect on rotor hub force harmonics, also had a significant effect on the magnitudes of Reynolds stresses and turbulent kinetic energy. Integrated values of turbulent kinetic energy flux and transport indicate that a relation between geometry and turbulent kinetic energy levels exists.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication77th Annual Vertical Flight Society Forum and Technology Display, FORUM 2021
Subtitle of host publicationThe Future of Vertical Flight
PublisherVertical Flight Society
ISBN (Electronic)9781713830016
StatePublished - 2021
Event77th Annual Vertical Flight Society Forum and Technology Display: The Future of Vertical Flight, FORUM 2021 - Virtual, Online
Duration: May 10 2021May 14 2021

Publication series

Name77th Annual Vertical Flight Society Forum and Technology Display, FORUM 2021: The Future of Vertical Flight

Conference

Conference77th Annual Vertical Flight Society Forum and Technology Display: The Future of Vertical Flight, FORUM 2021
CityVirtual, Online
Period5/10/215/14/21

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Control and Systems Engineering

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