Hover Performance Assessment of Several Tip Shapes using Overflow

摘要

Several rotor blade tip shapes based on the S-76 model scale rotor are assessed for performance in hover using OVERFLOW and compared against experimental data collected in the Sikorsky Model Hover Test Facility. The calculations use a time-accurate approach and produced solutions across a range of thrust conditions. Comparisons are made among the rotors for thrust-power, Figure of Merit, distributed air loads, and vortex trajectories. The effect of coning is also examined. Best practices are offered for predicting relative hover performance improvements among rotor blades.