• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.1049-1055
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• 2008

Modern multidisciplinary computational fluid dynamics often incorporates moving boundaries, as would be required in the applications such as design optimization, aeroelasticity, or forced boundary motion. It is challenging to develop robust, efficient grid deformation algorithms when large displacement of the moving boundaries is required. In this paper, a volume grid deformation code is developed based on the finite macro-element and the transfinite Interpolation, and then interfaces to a structured multi-block Navier-Stokes in-house code. As demonstrated by an airfoil with pitching motion, the hysteresis loops of lift, drag and moment coefficients of the developed method are shown to be in good agreement with those of experimental data.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.173-184
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• 2013

A multi-level design optimization framework for aerodynamic design of rotary wing such as propeller and helicopter rotor blades is presented in this study. Strategy of the proposed framework is to enhance aerodynamic performance by sequentially applying the planform and sectional design optimization. In the first level of a planform design, we used a genetic algorithm and blade element momentum theory (BEMT) based on two-dimensional aerodynamic database to find optimal planform variables. After an initial planform design, local flow conditions of blade sections are analyzed using high-fidelity CFD methods. During the next level, a sectional design optimization is conducted using two dimensional Navier-Stokes analysis and a gradient based optimization algorithm. When optimal airfoil shape is determined at the several spanwise locations, a planform design is performed again. Through this iterative design process, not only an optimal flow condition but also an optimal shape of an EAV propeller blade is obtained. To validate the optimized propeller-blade design, it is tested in wind-tunnel facility with different flow conditions. An efficiency, which is slightly less than the expected improvement of 7% predicted by our proposed design framework but is still satisfactory to enhance the aerodynamic performance of EAV system.