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Experimental investigation of the rotor-wing aerodynamic interaction in a tiltwing aircraft in hover

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2016

G. Droandi ,
A. Zanotti ,
G. Gibertini ,
D. Grassi  and
G. Campanardi
A. Zanotti
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Aerospaziali, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
G. Gibertini
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Aerospaziali, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
D. Grassi
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Aerospaziali, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
G. Campanardi
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Aerospaziali, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Abstract

The hovering performance and the lifting capability of tiltrotor aircraft are strongly affected by the aerodynamic interaction between wing and rotors. The tiltwing concept represents a promising technology to increase the hover performance by reducing the wing-rotor interference. The present work describes an experimental activity carried out on a ¼ scaled tiltwing aircraft half-model to achieve a detailed insight about the main issues characterising the aerodynamic interaction between wing and rotor in hover. The results of the experimental campaign, including both force measurements and Particle Image Velocimetry surveys, enabled to evaluate both the aircraft performance for different configurations of the tilting wing and to achieve a detailed insight about the flow physics of the rotor wake in the interaction with the wing. The test activity provided a comprehensive experimental database that was obtained over a not confidential aircraft configuration.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 119 , Issue 1215 , May 2015 , pp. 591 - 612
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2015

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