Parameterization investigation on distributed electric propulsion aircraft aerodynamic characteristics

Abstract

Revealing the principle of distributed electric propulsion (DEP) plane aerodynamic design under the effect of strong aerodynamic coupling of distributed power-wing and the change law of total gain is the key to carrying out the design of distributed electric propulsion plane. For the distributed electric propulsion plane aerodynamic layout, the aerodynamic performance of the DEP configuration is studied based on the VLM-ADT aerodynamic characteristics fast solver method. This paper gives a set of fast parametric methods to research the aerodynamic performance of DEP layout, which mainly includes three comprehensive indexes such as lift-to-drag ratio L/D, power loading T/P, and lift loading L/P—focused on; the factor of propeller number, which affects the aerodynamic performance of DEP aerodynamic layout. As the propeller number increases, the lift-to-drag ratio decreases, but the wing’s lift efficiency increases.