Numerical Simulation of Propeller Slipstream Effect on A Propeller-driven Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

In this paper, patched grid technology and RANS equations are applied to the simulation of viscous flow filed of isolated propeller and a propeller-driven solar UAV. A complementary experimental and computational investigation of a propeller aerodynamics and characteristics of the slipstream are performed here, the computational results of propeller aerodynamics are in good agreement with experimental data. Also it shows that the method can correct predict the characteristics of the propeller slipstream. Then the flow field of a solar-powered UAV which has eight propellers is simulated, the aerodynamic performance is also discussed, the propeller slipstream change the local attack angle of wing which immersed in it and increased dynamic pressure of the fluid. The result shows that propeller slipstream alter the pressure distribution of the wing, which increase the lift and drag coefficients of the UAV.