Abstract
A numeric optimization is performed for maximizing the cruise performance of a multilift rotorcraft system. The optimization process locates the optimal relative positions of the formation rotorcraft. The optimization problem is formulated as a constrained nonlinear programming problem. Constraints on the distances between the formation rotorcraft are imposed in order to maintain safe separation distances. It is shown that for every airspeed an optimal formation geometry can be found that minimizes the rotorcraft power required. Optimization analysis for subsequent airspeeds yields an optimal recommended airspeed that is close to the “bucket” airspeed of the unloaded rotorcraft. Cable length is shown to have a secondary influence on optimization results. The resulting improvement in the performance of the multi-lift system is demonstrated using nonlinear simulations. It is shown that the operational efficiency of the system can be significantly increased by adopting the optimization results.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference, 2017 |
| Publisher | American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781624104480 |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2017 |
| Event | AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference, 2017 - Denver, United States Duration: Jun 5 2017 → Jun 9 2017 |
Publication series
| Name | AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference, 2017 |
|---|
Other
| Other | AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| City | Denver |
| Period | 6/5/17 → 6/9/17 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Aerospace Engineering
- Computer Science Applications
- Energy Engineering and Power Technology
- Mechanical Engineering
Cite this
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Flight performance optimization of a multi-lift rotorcraft formation. / Enciu, Jacob; Horn, Joseph Francis.
AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference, 2017. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA, 2017. (AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference, 2017).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
TY - GEN
T1 - Flight performance optimization of a multi-lift rotorcraft formation
AU - Enciu, Jacob
AU - Horn, Joseph Francis
PY - 2017/1/1
Y1 - 2017/1/1
N2 - A numeric optimization is performed for maximizing the cruise performance of a multilift rotorcraft system. The optimization process locates the optimal relative positions of the formation rotorcraft. The optimization problem is formulated as a constrained nonlinear programming problem. Constraints on the distances between the formation rotorcraft are imposed in order to maintain safe separation distances. It is shown that for every airspeed an optimal formation geometry can be found that minimizes the rotorcraft power required. Optimization analysis for subsequent airspeeds yields an optimal recommended airspeed that is close to the “bucket” airspeed of the unloaded rotorcraft. Cable length is shown to have a secondary influence on optimization results. The resulting improvement in the performance of the multi-lift system is demonstrated using nonlinear simulations. It is shown that the operational efficiency of the system can be significantly increased by adopting the optimization results.
AB - A numeric optimization is performed for maximizing the cruise performance of a multilift rotorcraft system. The optimization process locates the optimal relative positions of the formation rotorcraft. The optimization problem is formulated as a constrained nonlinear programming problem. Constraints on the distances between the formation rotorcraft are imposed in order to maintain safe separation distances. It is shown that for every airspeed an optimal formation geometry can be found that minimizes the rotorcraft power required. Optimization analysis for subsequent airspeeds yields an optimal recommended airspeed that is close to the “bucket” airspeed of the unloaded rotorcraft. Cable length is shown to have a secondary influence on optimization results. The resulting improvement in the performance of the multi-lift system is demonstrated using nonlinear simulations. It is shown that the operational efficiency of the system can be significantly increased by adopting the optimization results.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85017344578&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85017344578&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85017344578
SN - 9781624104480
T3 - AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference, 2017
BT - AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference, 2017
PB - American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA
ER -