Active Flow Control of Helicopter Rotor Based on Coflow Jet

Abstract

When a helicopter rotor undergoes flow separation, the drag of the rotor increases substantially, as does the power demand, which seriously affects the aerodynamic performance and flight safety of the helicopter. Therefore, it is crucial to research how to suppress the flow separation of rotor blades. An active control technique based on a coflow jet (CFJ) at the rotor blade tip was employed in this study to suppress the flow separation over the rotor. The mechanisms and behavior were investigated. The rotor flow field was numerically simulated by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations with the finite volume method. The turbulence model was k − ω SST, and the rotor motion was simulated using the overset mesh technique. After applying CFJ control, the airflow from the injection slot at the leading edge of the rotor increased the energy of the mainstream in the near-wall area, which enhanced its ability to resist the adverse pressure gradient. A flow separation was effectively suppressed, both on the advancing and retreating sides, which improved the aerodynamic performance of the rotor. During the whole rotation period, the thrust coefficient of the rotor increased by up to 5.6%, the moment coefficient decreased by as much as 26.8%, and the equivalent lift-to-drag ratio increased by up to 44.0%. Moreover, the effects of the CFJ parameters on the flow separation suppression of the rotor are researched. These results may provide a foundation for the development of aerodynamic performance improvement for helicopter rotor based on a CFJ.