| Hi-index | 0.98 |
This paper presents an analytical formulation of an optimum rotor interdisciplinary design. A finite-state aeroelastic rotor model, coupling simultaneously a generalized dynamic wake model with blade finite elements, is applied to perform the optimum rotor blade design for improved aerodynamic performance and vehicle vibration. A feasible direction nonlinear optimizer provides the optimization algorithm. The uniqueness of the present approach is the systematic rotor aeroelastic model, which offers an efficient analytical tool, and retains necessary aerodynamic and blade dynamic building blocks for a sufficient rotor dynamic response analysis. The formulation is well-suited for an efficient design sensitivity computation without resorting to finite differencing, and thus provides a practical design tool.