NASA LogoNTRSNTRS - NASA Technical Reports ServerSearchmore_vertCollectionsAboutNewsHelpLogin Back to ResultsMid-Fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of the Elytron 4S UAV ConceptThe Elytron 4S Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Concept was developed to combine the advantages of fixed- and rotary-wing technology. The 4S Concept is a box-wing configuration with rotors mounted on a centrally located tiltwing. The UAV is intended to be capable of both conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and is envisioned to excel in UAV performance because of the combined efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft and the hover and VTOL capabilities of regular drones or quadcopters. A mid-fidelity Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) approach using Rotorcraft CFD (RotCFD) is performed to analyze and characterize the performance of the aircraft. The flow field is coupled with a rotor model based on blade-element momentum theory to model the 4S UAV rotors. Turbulence is modeled using a realizable k- turbulence model with special wall function. The code is used to generate aerodynamic forces and moments on the body at cruise conditions, and during VTOL. The results and their uncertainties are characterized, and an angle- of-attack and sideslip sweep are computed, both with and without rotors on. Simulations are compared with the wind tunnel tests in the 7- by 10-Foot U.S. Army Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center, performed in 2017. Results show promising comparison with experimental data, despite a late change in rotor size and rudder size of the physical model that cause the expected deviations from the simulation. A slight change in the net thrust value, when rotors are modeled, is observed because of the rotor diameter increase on the physical model. A noticeable difference in the directional stability was observed because of the increased rudder surface and added strakes. These changes were implemented to improve on the design as simulated, which is observed in the results. The simulation results paved the way to the first successful flight of the UAV Concept.Document ID20180008703Acquisition SourceAmes Research CenterDocument TypeTechnical Memorandum (TM)AuthorsKoning, Witold J. K.*(Science and Technology Corp. Moffett Field, CA, United States)*Russell, Carl R.*(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)*Solis, Eduardo*(Science and Technology Corp. Moffett Field, CA, United States)*Theodore, Colin*(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)*Date AcquiredDecember 20, 2018Publication DateNovember 1, 2018Subject CategoryAeronautics (General)Report/Patent NumberARC-E-DAA-TN53886NASA/TM-2018ý219788Funding Number(s)CONTRACT_GRANT: NNA16BD60CDistribution LimitsPublicCopyrightPublic Use Permitted.Available DownloadsNameType20180008703.pdfSTIcloud_downloadcontent_copyvisibilityRelated RecordsThere are no records associated with this record.visibility_offNo Preview Available
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