Split-Wing Propulsor Design and Analysis for Electric Distributed Propulsion

Benjamin Schiltgen, Michael Green, David Hall, Andrew Gibson, Trevor Foster, Mark Waters
2011 49th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition   unpublished
In this paper, the design and analysis of a distributed turboelectric propulsion system embedded within a split-wing is discussed. The potential for performance and efficiency improvements are significant with such a design. A propulsion system of this style however comes with many tribulations including difficult integration into the wing and strong coupling between the propulsion system and wing aerodynamics. Inlet analysis yielded a union between pressure recovery and inboard wing
more » ... . The analysis of the fan revealed that its performance was strongly dependent on the pressure recovery achievable in the inlet. Due to the split-wing embedded design, it was also determined that the fan diameter should be minimized in order to reduce the thickness of the wing, leading to a reduction in drag and weight and an increased efficiency. A qualitative CFD study was then conducted and revealed a well behaved flow field around the wing at a multitude of flight conditions and uncovered other scenarios that must be investigated further. 2 and weight. Methods and results developed for the entire system are outlined below and revelations of split-wing complications and possible solutions are also discussed.
doi:10.2514/6.2011-224 fatcat:si2pw7g5nfasxm2nhngnfofcxe