Aerodynamic Interference Optimization of the Fuselage-Pushing Propeller Configuration

摘要

Research on fuselage rational shapes and optimal volume to increase passenger capacity and to integrate the engine and airframe is an actual problem of air transport efficiency [1–3]. In order to experimentally study the operating conditions of the propeller in the aerodynamic wake, as well as to evaluate its effect on the total and distributed aerodynamic characteristics, a model fuselage was made, in the rear of which an electric motor was installed with a drive to the pusher propeller (Fig. 1) [4]. When choosing propeller parameters and designing, the six-bladed propeller models of different diameters were selected. As a result, the positive effect on the interaction with the pusher propeller was seen. The influence of the shape of rear fuselage on the thrust of propeller ring was investigated. Numerical calculation of the initial and modified shapes of fuselages with the propeller ring were performed with Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations on a structured mesh. The results showed that the change in the rear fuselage affected the local angle of attack at which the flow moves along the ring, and because of which the propeller thrust in the ring changed. It also increased both the surface pressure on the fuselage rear and the propeller thrust compared to the initial shape. In general, modifications to the rear fuselage improved thrust efficiency.