Numerical analysis of aerodynamic characteristics for the design of a small ducted fan aircraft

Abstract

This article presents a study on the flow field and aerodynamic characteristics of the propellers and rudders for the design of a small ducted fan aircraft. In the analysis, an equivalent actuation disk was created as a simplified model of the propellers. A momentum source is determined by equivalent actuation disk numerical simulation using ANSYS CFX software based on vortex theory. In addition, the momentum source distribution function for the equivalent actuation disk model is improved by using experimental data. The computational fluid dynamics method in the ANSYS CFX software is then used to simulate the flow field of the propellers slipstream and determine the key aerodynamic and design parameters for the built-up rudders of the aircraft. The improved equivalent actuation disk method is validated by using the mixing plane method and their results show a good comparison. The simulation and analysis results provide the basis for optimal design of the built-up rudder arrangement and layout for a small ducted fan aircraft.