Three dimensional full potential method for the aeroelastic modeling of propfans

Abstract

A three-dimensional time dependent full potential aerodynamic analysis of single rotation propellers has been developed. The primary purpose of the code is to provide a capability of doing propfan aeroelastic analysis in the nonlinear transonic regime. A secondary purpose is to provide a validation of the unsteady lifting surface panel method that has been have developed. Results will be shown for steady state aerodynamic loading, unsteady aerodynamic response to forced aeroelastic deformations, and free aeroelastic response. Comparisons are made to experimental data and corresponding panel code results.