The Advanced Geometric Modeling Project: Developing a Framework for Geometry, Gridding, and Analysis

摘要

The time required to develop and analyze conceptual and preliminary rotorcraft configurations continues to inhibit development of innovative concepts. Current rotorcraft sizing and surfacing techniques fail to properly account for geometric and performance characteristics such that early trade study of rotorcraft geometry and performance analysis can be performed in a timely manner. This paper describes a framework for handling geometry, gridding, and analysis modeling as a single object and the early implementation of this framework as applied to an interdisciplinary preliminary design problem for rotorcraft. The work described here is currently being performed by Boeing and is funded through the National Rotorcraft Technology Center (NRTC) and the Rotorcraft Industry Technology Alliance (RITA) in association with the ongoing Integrated Helicopter Design Tools (IHDT) project. Funding to this effort has also been provided through the NRTC from the DoD Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Dual Use Science and Technology Program (formerly called the Dual Use Application Program). The results will provide an innovative and unique solution to an important engineering challenge in both the military and the industrial sector; namely, it offers the ability to coherently optimize design geometry while accounting for both performance requirements and cost restrictions.