The role of the propeller in a distributed propeller/wing configuration were investigated based on the momentum source method which translates the role of the propeller into the role of the blade force distribution. Firstly, the feasibility and efficiency of the momentum source method for solving the aerodynamic force of the configuration were verified by comparing different numerical simulation methods. Then, the key factors of the propeller slipstream affecting the aerodynamic force of the rear wing were investigated by varying the trend of the blade force distribution. Finally, the effect brought by the change of propeller height was analyzed. The results show that a propeller with a more uniform distribution of the blade force enhances the slipstream around the hub and facilitates the expansion of the low-pressure area on the upper surface of the rear wing, which has the beneficial effect of “increasing lift and reducing drag”. The rotation of the slip-stream causes an uneven distribution of the aerodynamic force across the wing span, which has the effect of “increasing lift and reducing drag” on the upper wash side and is the key factor affecting the aerodynamic force of the wing. In addition, an appropriate increase in propeller height can further increase the lift and lift-to-drag ratio of the wing.
GUO Jia-hao, ZHOU Zhou.
Role of Propeller in Distributed Propeller/Wing Configuration[J].
Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(19): 8387-8395 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2505770
EhabA E, ColinP B. Experimental investigation of the effect of propeller slipstream on boundary layer behavior at low Reynolds number data: AIAA-2000-4123[R]. Denve: AIAA, 2000.
LiZhengchu, WangXunnian, ChenHong, et al. Experimental re-search of influence of propeller slipstream on wing flow field[J]. Experiments and Measurements in Fluid Mechanics, 2000, 14(2): 44-48.
[4]
CatalanoF M. On the effects of an installed propeller slipstream on wing aerodynamic characteristics[J]. Acta Polytechnica, 2004, 44(3): 8-14.
WangHongbo, ZhuXiaoping, ZhouZhou, et al. Aerodynamic investigation on propeller slipstream flows for solar powered airplanes[J]. Journal of Northwestern Poly-technical University, 2015, 33(6): 910-920.
GaoFeifei. Numerical simulation of unsteady flow around propeller based on CFD technology[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2011, 11(30): 7564-7569.
[11]
StuermerA W. Unsteady CFD simulations of propeller installation effects data: AIAA-2006-4946[R]. Sacramento: AIAA, 2006.
LiBo, LiangDewang, HuangGuoping. Propeller slipstream effects on aerodynamic performance of turbo-prop airplane based on equivalent actuator disk model[J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, 2008, 29(4): 845-852.
[14]
MoensF, GardareinP. Numerical simulation of the propeller/wing interactions for transport air-craft data: AIAA-2001-2404[R]. Anaheim: AIAA, 2001.
WangWei, YangYong, XiaZhenfeng. Study on comparison of different numerical simulation methods concerning propeller slipstream[J]. Aeronautical Computing Technique, 2012, 42(5): 80-83.
[17]
RajagopalanR G, LimC K. Laminar flow analysis of a rotor in hover[J]. Journal of the American Helicopter Society, 1991, 36(1): 12-23.
SongChanghong, LinYongfeng, ChenWenxuan, et al. CFD analysis for the ducted tail rotor based on momentum source method[J]. Helicopter Technique, 2009(1): 6-11.
ChenGuangqiang, BaiPeng, ZhanHuiling, et al. Numerical simulation study on propeller slipstream effect on high altitude long endurance unmanned air vehicle[J]. Air-craft Design, 2014, 34(4): 1-9.
[24]
BorerN K, PattersonM D, GibsonA R, et al. Design and performance of the NASA SCEPTOR distributed electric propulsion flight demonstrator data: AIAA 2016-3920[R]. Washington: AIAA, 2016.
[25]
StollA M. Comparison of CFD and experimental results of the LEAPTech distributed electric propulsion blown wing data: AIAA 2015-3188[R]. Dallas: AIAA, 2015.
XuJiakuan, BaiJunqiang, HuangJiangtao, et al. Aerodynamic optimization design of wing under the interaction of propeller slipsteam[J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, 2014, 35(11): 2910-2920.
WangKelei, ZhouZhou, ZhuXiaoping, et al. Reconstruction design of propeller induced flow-field based on aerodynamic loading distributions[J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, 2020, 41(1): 63-74.
[30]
ChenX, ZhouZ. Inverse aerodynamic design for DEP propeller based on desired propeller slip-stream[J]. Aerospace Science and Technology, 2020, 102: 105820.
GuoJiahao, ZhouZhou, FanZhongyun. A method of propeller design with given thrust distribution and it’s application[J]. Journal of Aerospace Power, 2020, 35(6): 1238-1246.
[33]
O’BrienD, SmithM. Analysis of rotor-fuselage interactions using various rotor models data: AIAA 2005-468[R]. Reno: AIAA, 2005.