The aerodynamic propeller–wing interactions of a distributed propulsion system in a high-lift scenario were investigated. A $2.5 D$ computational fluid dynamics parameter study with steady-state Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulations of a wing segment and an actuator disk was conducted to determine the sensitivities and correlations of design parameters at high angles of attack. The parameter study revealed a significant lift augmentation (about $+ 60 %$ at $α = 6 \deg$ ) but a decrease in propulsive efficiency (about $- 19 %$ at $α = 6 \deg$ ). With increasing angle of attack, the lift augmentation effect decreased (down to about $+ 50 %$ at $α = 14 \deg$ ), whereas the propulsive efficiency decreased further (to about $- 31 %$ at $α = 14 \deg$ ). The design parameter presenting the largest sensitivity toward system performance was the vertical propeller position. The distance between the propeller and the wing had a comparatively minor effect, as long as the vertical propeller position was adapted accordingly. Propulsive performance could be significantly improved by tilting the propeller downward toward the inflow (by about $+ 30 %$ for $θ = 20 \deg$ as compared to a nontilted propeller). A spanwise clustering of propellers (tip-to-tip distance of $Δ Y_{tip} \leq 25 % D$ ) appears to be beneficial when considering a predetermined amount of distributed propellers.

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Volume 60, Number 4July 2023

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Copyright © 2023 by Mário Firnhaber Beckers. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission. All requests for copying and permission to reprint should be submitted to CCC at www.copyright.com; employ the eISSN 1533-3868 to initiate your request. See also AIAA Rights and Permissions www.aiaa.org/randp.

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This investigation was carried out as part of the project DISPROP. This project has received funding from the Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No 101005232. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the Clean Sky 2 JU members other than the Union. The computational resources and support provided by the High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart are gratefully acknowledged.

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Received16 October 2022
Accepted20 April 2023
Published online12 June 2023

Numerical Investigation of High-Lift Propeller Positions for a Distributed Propulsion System

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