Towards Computationally Efficient Coupled Propeller-Wing Optimisation

Abstract

Much like the oil crisis in the 1980s, the aviation industry is once again considering more environmentally sustainable propulsion options due to concerns around climate change. More fuel efficient propulsion methods form the pillar on which environmentally sustainable aviation can be built, since it is the propulsion system that emits harmful greenhouse gasses. The propulsion system consists of an energy carrier, currently kerosene, and an energy to thrust converter, often a jet engine. Although efficiency gains are being made, using kerosene and jet engines will prove infeasible in the long run due to global warming concerns. Replacing the jet engine with a propeller offers an attractive solution since propeller shaft power can be supplied by batteries or fuel cells. Furthermore, propellers are relatively efficient due to their infinite bypass ratio. Additionally, a surge in demand for Urban Air Mobility [3] incentives propeller optimisation studies. Aircraft are a combination of complex and interacting systems. For this reason it is important to consider interactions between wings and propellers when designing either. Propeller-wing optimisation is therefore an increasingly important topic. Propeller-wing optimisation literature is scarce, likely due to the complexity of a coupled propeller-wing system. Optimising a propeller-wing system is possible with high-fidelity simulations but often takes a substantial amount of time. The aim of this research is to address the lack of coupled propeller-wing aerostructural optimisation. The knowledge gap is addressed by designing a novel coupled propeller wing framework that is suited for computationally efficient optimisation studies. Furthermore, the optimisation framework will be modular such that it can be easily extended. The ability to expand the framework increases the scope and impact of this research...