Ioannis Goulos

A Multidisciplinary Approach for the Comprehensive Assessment of Integrated Rotorcraft–Powerplant Systems at Mission Level

This paper presents an integrated methodology for the comprehensive assessment of combined rotorcraft–powerplant systems at mission level. Analytical evaluation of existing and conceptual designs is carried out in terms of operational performance and environmental impact. The proposed approach comprises a wide-range of individual modeling theories applicable to rotorcraft flight dynamics and gas turbine engine performance. A novel, physics-based, stirred reactor model is employed for the rapid estimation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. The individual mathematical models are implemented within an elaborate numerical procedure, solving for total mission fuel consumption and associated pollutant emissions. The combined approach is applied to the comprehensive analysis of a reference twin-engine light (TEL) aircraft modeled after the Eurocopter Bo 105 helicopter, operating on representative mission scenarios. Extensive comparisons with flight test data are carried out and presented in terms of main rotor trim control angles and power requirements, along with general flight performance charts including payload-range diagrams. Predictions of total mission fuel consumption and NOx emissions are compared with estimated values provided by the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). Good agreement is exhibited between predictions made with the physics-based stirred reactor model and experimentally measured values of NOx emission indices. The obtained results suggest that the production rates of NOx pollutant emissions are predominantly influenced by the behavior of total air inlet pressure upstream of the combustion chamber, which is affected by the employed operational procedures and the time-dependent all-up mass (AUM) of the aircraft. It is demonstrated that accurate estimation of on-board fuel supplies ahead of flight is key to improving fuel economy as well as reducing environmental impact. The proposed methodology essentially constitutes an enabling technology for the comprehensive assessment of existing and conceptual rotorcraft–powerplant systems, in terms of operational performance and environmental impact. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4028181]

Simulation Framework Development for Helicopter Mission Analysis

Helicopter mission performance analysis has always been an important topic for the helicopter industry. This topic is now raising even more interest as aspects related to emissions and noise gain more importance for environmental and social impact assessments. The present work illustrates the initial steps of a methodology developed in order to acquire the optimal trajectory of any specified helicopter under specific operational or environmental constraints. For this purpose, it is essential to develop an integrated tool capable of determining the resources required (e.g. fuel burnt) for a given helicopter trajectory, as well as assessing its environmental impact. This simulation framework tool is the result of a collaborative effort between Cranfield University (UK), National Aerospace Laboratory NLR (NL) and LMS International (BE). In order to simulate the characteristics of a specific trajectory, as well as to evaluate the emissions that are produced during the helicopter’s operation within the trajectory, three computational models developed at Cranfield University have been integrated into the simulation tool. These models consist of a helicopter performance model, an engine performance model and an emission indices prediction model. The models have been arranged in order to communicate linearly with each other. The linking has been performed with the deployment of the OPTIMUS process and simulation integration framework developed by LMS International. The optimization processes carried out for the purpose of this work have been based on OPTIMUS’ built-in optimizing algorithms. A comparative evaluation between the optimized and an arbitrarily defined baseline trajectory’s results has been waged for the purpose of quantifying the operational profit (in terms of fuel required) gained by the helicopter’s operation within the path of an optimized trajectory for a given constraint. The application of the aforementioned methodology to a case study for the purpose of assessing the environmental impact of a helicopter mission, as well as the associated required operational resources is performed and presented.Copyright

Simulation Framework Development for Aircraft Mission Analysis

Since the very beginning of first commercial flight operations, aircraft mission analysis has played a major role in minimizing costs, increasing performances and satisfying regulations. The operational trajectory of any aircraft must comply with several constraints that need to be satisfied during its operation. The nature of these constraints can vary from Air Traffic Control (ATC) regulations, to emissions regulations and any combination between these two. The development of an integrated tool capable of determining the resources required (fuel and operational time) for a given aircraft trajectory, as well as assessing its environmental impact, is therefore essential. The present work illustrates the initial steps of a methodology developed in order to acquire the optimal trajectory of any specified aircraft under specific operational or environmental constraints. The simulation framework tool is the result of a collaborative effort between Cranfield University (UK), National Aerospace Laboratory NLR (NL) and LMS International (BE). With this tool, the optimal trajectory for a given aircraft can be computed and its environmental impact assessed. In order to simulate the characteristics of a specific trajectory, as well as to evaluate the emissions that are produced during the aircraft operation within it, three computational models developed at Cranfield University have been integrated into the simulation tool. These models consist of an aircraft performance model, an engine performance model and an emission indices model. The linking has been performed with the deployment of the OPTIMUS process and simulation integration framework developed by LMS International. The optimization processes carried out were based on OPTIMUS’ built-in optimizing algorithms. A comparative evaluation between an arbitrarily defined baseline trajectory and optimized ones has been waged for the purpose of quantifying the operational profit (in terms of fuel required or operational time) gained by the aircraft operation within the path of an optimized trajectory. Trade-off studies between trajectories optimized for different operational and environmental constraints have been performed. The results of the optimizations revealed a substantial margin available for reduction in fuel consumption as well as required operational time compared to a notional baseline. The optimal trajectories for minimized environmental impact in terms of produced emissions have been acquired and their respective required resources (fuel required and operational time) have been evaluated.© 2010 ASME

Flexible rotor blade dynamics for helicopter aeromechanics including comparisons with experimental data

This paper presents the development of a mathematical model for the implementation of flexible rotor blade dynamics in real-time helicopter aeromechanics applications. A Lagrangian approach is formulated for the rapid estimation of natural vibration characteristics of nonuniform rotor blades. A matrix/vector formulation is proposed for the treatment of elastic blade kinematics in the time-domain. In order to overcome the classical hurdles of time-accurate simulation and establish applicability in real-time, a novel, second-order accurate, finite-difference scheme is employed for the numerical discretisation of elastic blade motion. The proposed rotor dynamics model is coupled with a finite-state induced flow and an unsteady blade element aerodynamics model. The combined formulation is implemented in a helicopter flight mechanics simulation code. The integrated approach is deployed in order to investigate rotor blade resonant frequencies, trim control angles, oscillatory blade loads and induced vibration for a hingeless and an articulated helicopter rotor. Extensive comparisons are carried out with wind tunnel and flight test measurements, and non-real-time comprehensive analysis methods. Good agreement with measured data is exhibited considering primarily the low-frequency harmonic components of oscillatory loading. It is shown that, the developed methodology can be utilised for real-time simulation on a typical computer with sufficient modelling fidelity for accurate estimation of oscillatory blade loads.

An integrated methodology to assess the operational and environmental performance of a conceptual regenerative helicopter

This paper aims to present an integrated multidisciplinary simulation framework, deployed for the comprehensive assessment of combined helicopter powerplant systems at mission level. Analytical evaluations of existing and conceptual regenerative engine designs are carried out in terms of operational performance and environmental impact. The proposed methodology comprises a wide-range of individual modeling theories applicable to helicopter flight dynamics, gas turbine engine performance as well as a novel, physics-based, stirred reactor model for the rapid estimation of various helicopter emissions species. The overall methodology has been deployed to conduct a preliminary trade-off study for a reference simple cycle and conceptual regenerative twin-engine light helicopter, modeled after the Airbus Helicopters Bo105 configuration, simulated under the representative mission scenarios. Extensive comparisons are carried out and presented for the aforementioned helicopters at both engine and mission level, along with general flight performance charts including the payload-range diagram. The acquired results from the design trade-off study suggest that the conceptual regenerative helicopter can offer significant improvement in the payload-range capability, while simultaneously maintaining the required airworthiness requirements. Furthermore, it has been quantified through the implementation of a representative case study that, while the regenerative configuration can enhance the mission range and payload capabilities of the helicopter, it may have a detrimental effect on the mission emissions inventory, specifically for NOx (Nitrogen Oxides). This may impose a trade-off between the fuel economy and environmental performance of the helicopter. The proposed methodology can effectively be regarded as an enabling technology for the comprehensive assessment of conventional and conceptual helicopter powerplant systems, in terms of operational performance and environmental impact as well as towards the quantification of their associated trade-offs at mission level. Ali Fakhre, Ioannis Goulos, Vassilios Pachidis School of Engineering, Energy, Power and Propulsion Division, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedford, MK43 0AL, UK f.ali@cranfield.ac.uk

Real-Time Aero-elasticity Simulation of Open Rotors With Slender Blades for the Multidisciplinary Design of Rotorcraft

This paper elaborates on the theoretical development of a mathematical approach, targeting the real-time simulation of aero-elasticity for open rotors with slender blades, as employed in the majority of rotorcraft. A Lagrangian approach is formulated for the rapid estimation of natural vibration characteristics of rotor blades with nonuniform structural properties. Modal characteristics obtained from classical vibration analysis methods are utilized as assumed deformation functions. Closed form integral expressions are incorporated, describing the generalized centrifugal forces and moments acting on the blade. The treatment of three-dimensional elastic blade kinematics in the timedomain is thoroughly discussed. In order to ensure robustness and establish applicability in real time, a novel, second-order accurate, finite-difference scheme is utilized for the temporal discretization of elastic blade motion. The developed mathematical approach is coupled with a finite-state induced flow model, an unsteady blade element aerodynamics model, and a dynamic wake distortion model. The combined formulation is implemented in an existing helicopter flight mechanics code. The aero-elastic behavior of a full-scale hingeless helicopter rotor has been investigated. Results are presented in terms of rotor blade resonant frequencies, rotor trim performance, oscillatory structural blade loads, and transient rotor response to control inputs. Extensive comparisons are carried out with wind tunnel (WT) and flight test (FT) measurements found in the open literature as well as with nonreal-time comprehensive analysis methods. It is shown that the proposed approach exhibits good agreement with measured data regarding trim performance and transient rotor response characteristics. Accurate estimation of structural blade loads is demonstrated, in terms of both amplitude and phase, up to the third harmonic component of oscillatory loading. It is shown that the developed model can be utilized for real-time simulation on a modern personal computer. The proposed methodology essentially constitutes an enabling technology for the multidisciplinary design of rotorcraft, when a compromise between simulation fidelity and computational efficiency has to be sought for in the process of model development. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4028180]

Novel Propeller Map Scaling Method

This paper presents a novel method of scaling a baseline propeller map ηprop=f(J,CP,M) in order to obtain the performance of a propeller with different design characteristics. The developed method employs a Goldstein/Theodorsen model to calculate the ideal efficiency and a simple approach to estimate the propeller activity factor. The proposed scaling technique enables the use of a single propeller map for propellers with different design flight conditions, diameters, number of blades, activity factors, tip speeds, or power, provided that the blade sweep and airfoil distributions remain constant.

Techno–Economic Evaluation of Recuperated Gas Turbine Cogeneration Cycles Utilizing Animal Manure and Energy Crops for Biogas Fuel

This work presents the development of an integrated approach, targeting the techno-economic assessment of recuperated cogeneration gas turbine cycles, utilizing anaerobic digestion products of animal manure and energy crops for biogas fuel. The overall approach consists of a series of fundamental modeling theories applicable to; anaerobic digestion and biogas fuel yield, thermodynamic analysis of cogeneration gas turbine cycles, exergetic analysis of anaerobic digestion, and economic modeling of implementation and operation. The developed methodology is applied to the techno-economic analysis of a representative anaerobic digestion plant yielding biogas fuel which is supplied to a recuperated cogeneration gas turbine powerplant. The influence of employed thermodynamic cycle parameters along with the incorporated technology level, on the cycle performance parameters and economic sustainability of integrated digestion–cogeneration powerplant designs, is thoroughly investigated.The obtained results suggest that, the dominant thermodynamic cycle variables that affect the electrical performance of integrated digestion-cogeneration systems, are the gas/air temperatures at the combustor outlet and recuperator air side exit, respectively. It is shown that the profitability of the investment is highly depended on the electrical power output and the feed–in tariff for electrical energy. Optimization of the employed co-generation cycle for maximum electrical power output, is shown to be a crucial element in terms of securing investment sustainability. A general review of the results indicates that, anaerobic treatment of animal manure and energy crops may constitute a sustainable investment, primarily for cases that substantial volumes of substrates are available in order to secure biogas yield and stable operation of the AD–gas turbine power plant.Copyright

Aerodynamic analysis of civil aeroengine exhaust systems using computational fluid dynamics

As the specific thrust of civil aeroengines reduces, the aerodynamic performance of the exhaust system will become of paramount importance in the drive to reduce engine fuel burn. This paper presen...

Modelling and analysis of coupled flap-lag-torsion vibration characteristics helicopter rotor blades:

This paper presents the development of a mathematical approach targeting the modelling and analysis of coupled flap-lag-torsion vibration characteristics of non-uniform continuous rotor blades. The proposed method is based on the deployment of Lagrange’s equation of motion to the three-dimensional kinematics of rotor blades. Modal properties derived from classical-beam and torsion theories are utilized as assumed deformation functions. The formulation, which is valid for hingeless, freely hinged and spring-hinged articulated rotor blades, is reduced to a set of closed-form integral expressions. Numerical predictions for mode shapes and natural frequencies are compared with experimental measurements, non-linear finite element analyses and multi-body dynamics analyses for two small-scale hingeless rotor blades. Excellent agreement is observed. The effect of different geometrical parameters on the elastic and inertial coupling is assessed. Additionally, the effect of the inclusion of gyroscopic damping is evaluated. The proposed method, which is able to estimate the first seven coupled modes of vibration in a fraction of a second, exhibits excellent numerical stability. It constitutes a computationally efficient alternative to multi-body dynamics and finite element analysis for the integration of rotor blade flexible modelling into a wider comprehensive rotorcraft tool.