Course description
This 5-day course will cover fundamentals, as well as state-of-the-art research on rotorcraft modelling and analysis including Urban Air Mobility (UAM) configurations.
Cranfield University has been at the forefront of rotorcraft research for the last 14 years, having an established track record on rotorcraft modelling and simulation, built through prestigious research programmes including the European Union (EU) Clean Sky 1 and 2. This 5-day course will cover fundamentals, as well as state-of-the-art research on rotorcraft modelling and analysis including Urban Air Mobility (UAM) configurations. The course will also include practical application examples to show-case the utility of the exposed modelling methods.
The course will cover a diverse range of topics including aerodynamics, aero-elasticity, aero-acoustics, propulsion, flight mechanics, performance, environmental impact, and electrification. The course will be delivered by expert Cranfield lecturers, and will also include guest lectures from high-profile industry and government experts. The course will also include workshops with live demonstrations and “hands-on” application of state-of-the-art Cranfield tools for rotorcraft performance analysis, engine performance simulation, and UAM aircraft sizing and characterisation.
Suitability - Who should attend?
This course is suitable for delegates from both industry and academia. The course is of benefit to rotorcraft engineers, gas turbine engineers, designers, researchers, and/or managers in the rotorcraft industry. The course is also of benefit to MSc, MRes, and PhD students who are conducting research on the field.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
What you will learn
On completion of the course, you will be able to:
- Understand the fundamental performance characteristics of rotorcraft.
- Critically evaluate the underpinning science required to analyse the aero-elastic behaviour of rotorcraft.
- De-compose the operational performance of integrated rotorcraft-engine systems to effects related to the performance of the airframe, rotors, and powerplant.
- Outline the fundamentals elements of rotorcraft/UAM propulsion system electrification including power electronic systems, battery technology, and system integration.
- Appreciate novel rotorcraft/UAM propulsion system technologies including hybrid-electric, advanced cycles, hydrogen, and fuel cell based.
- Appreciate the intertwining physical mechanisms (aerodynamic, thermodynamic, and dynamic) that govern the operational performance and environmental impact of rotorcraft and UAM aircraft.
- Estimate qualitatively the impact of operational parameters such as pressure altitude, ambient temperature, and All-Up-Mass on the performance of combined rotorcraft-powerplant systems.
Training Course Content
Core contentLecture material:
Omni-Disciplinary Evaluation of Integrated Rotorcraft-Engine Propulsion Systems
- Fundamentals of helicopter aeromechanics, flight propulsion, and performance
- Aero-elastic modelling of rotor-craft: Fundamentals of structural dynamics, rotor dynamics, blade aerodynamics, and rotor wake analysis
- Helicopter rotor and fuselage aerodynamic interactions and ground effect
- Gas turbine performance and simulation: Design point and off-design analysis of turboshaft engines
- Environmental impact analysis: Modelling of gaseous emissions through a stirred-reactor modelling approach
- Case study examples: Trim, stability, control, and oscillatory blade loads prediction for civil rotorcraft
- Helicopter-engine integration and performance simulation at engine, aircraft, and mission levels of assessment
- Case study examples: mission analysis for integrated helicopter-engine systems using aero-elastic rotor modelling strategies
- Variable rotor speed and active blade twist technologies: Optimum Scheduling, Mission Analysis, and Environmental Impact
- Helicopter aero-acoustics: Fundamentals, modelling, and noise-based rotor control strategies
- Novel rotor LTO control strategies: Trade-off between NOx emissions and ground noise impact
- Thermo-electric power-plant architectures for rotorcraft
Rotorcraft propulsion system electrification
- Propulsion system electrification: State of the Art, Development Trends, Challenges and Opportunities
- Fundamentals of Power Electronic Systems, and Power Electronic Integration
- Electric Power System Design: Modelling and Integration
- Electric Power System Reliability, Protection, and Maintenance
- Introduction on battery technologies and fuel cells
Urban Air Mobility (UAM) applications: Preliminary design and modelling
- Propeller modelling for UAM configurations
- Tilt-rotor aircraft modelling: low-order aerodynamics, trim, control
- Tilt-rotor – novel propulsion system (hybrid-electric, advanced cycles, hydrogen, fuel cell based) integration at cycle, aircraft and mission levels
- Preliminary design, performance and gaseous emissions of hybrid-electric UAM rotorcraft (combined with simple and recuperated cycles)
- Retrofitting a tilt-rotor with hydrogen fuelled-gas turbine and fuel cells
- Effects of optimum scheduling of variable rotor speed and power management optimization for hybrid-electric tilt-rotor
Cranfield rotorcraft/UAM tool workshop:
Introduction to HEliCopTer Omni-disciplinary Research platform: HECTOR
- On-line rotorcraft modelling and analysis
- Rotor blade structural analysis
- Natural frequencies, mode shapes, and resonance charts
- In-flight and wind-tunnel rotor trim simulation
- Evaluation of aerodynamic and structural rotor blade loads
- Transient rotor response to pilot controls
- Gas turbine design point and off-design analysis
Performance prediction of integrated helicopter-engine systems
- Helicopter-engine performance charts – fuel-flow curves
- Impact of density altitude and gross-weight
- Variation of engine performance attributes and gaseous emissions
UAM Modelling and vehicle analysis workshop:
- Propeller/rotor performance/control (effect of RPM/pitch)
- Design exercise: hybrid-electric propulsion system tilt-rotor
- Design exercise: hydrogen retrofitting (GT, tank, fuel system)
- Isolate effects of change of fuel at cycle level
- Aircraft level assessment for hydrogen-based tilt-rotor
Course delivery details
Course structure
This five-day course is presented through lectures, tutorials, and workshops. The course will be delivered by expert Cranfield lecturers, and will also include guest lectures from high-profile industry and government specialists. Electronic copies of all the material presented will be made available to all delegates. The course will also include workshops with live demonstrations and “hands-on” application of state-of-the-art Cranfield tools for rotorcraft performance analysis, engine performance simulation, and UAM sizing and characterisation. A number of worked examples will be undertaken by the delegates. Active participation from the delegates is strongly encouraged. All delegates will receive a Certificate of Attendance upon completion of this course.
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Cranfield University
Cranfield is a specialist postgraduate university that is a global leader for education and transformational research in technology and management. We have many world-class, large-scale facilities, including our own global research airport, which offers a unique environment for transformational education...