Experimental investigation on aerodynamic performance of coaxial rotor at low reynolds numbers

Atsushi Yamaguchi, Raoul Sunil Golani, Koji Fujita, Hiroki Nagai

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Pit craters on Mars have attracted attention as a target for exploration. Mars helicopter, capable of vertical taking off, landing, and hovering, is suitable for this purpose. Recently, a coaxial rotor type helicopter has been proposed as a Mars exploration. We focused on this coaxial rotor for pit crater exploration. We investigated the aerodynamic performance of the coaxial rotor and its single rotor components in different configurations: with a flat plate and a triangular airfoil, at Reynolds numbers 6000, 11000, 16000, and in configurations of two and four blades per rotating surface. We used the thrust coefficient, torque coefficient, and Figure of Merit (FM) as an index of aerodynamic performance. The triangular airfoil was more efficient than the flat plate, but the rotor efficiency decreased due to a decrease in the Reynolds number. When the same number of blades were used, the coaxial rotor had a better thrust coefficient and worse FM than the single rotor.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAIAA Scitech 2021 Forum
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA
Pages1-12
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)9781624106095
Publication statusPublished - 2021
EventAIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum 2021 - Virtual, Online
Duration: 2021 Jan 112021 Jan 15

Publication series

NameAIAA Scitech 2021 Forum

Conference

ConferenceAIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum 2021
CityVirtual, Online
Period21/1/1121/1/15

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