Numerical study on dynamic-stall characteristics of finitewing and rotor

Abstract

To study the three-dimensional effects on the dynamic-stall characteristics of a rotor blade, the unsteady flowfields of the finite wing and rotor were simulated under dynamic-stall conditions, respectively. Unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations coupled with a third-order Roe-MUSCL spatial discretization scheme were chosen as the governing equations to predict the three-dimensional flowfields. It is indicated from the simulated results of a finite wing that dynamic stall would be restricted near the wing tip due to the influence of the wing-tip vortex. By comparing the simulated results of the finite wing with the spanwise flow, it is indicated that the spanwise flow would arouse vortex accumulation. Consequently, the dynamic stall is restricted near the wing root and aggravated near the wing tip. By comparing the simulated results of a rotor in forward flight, it is indicated that the dynamic stall of the rotor would be inhibited due to the effects of the spanwise flow and Coriolis force. This work fills the gap regarding the insufficient three-dimensional dynamic stall of a helicopter rotor, and could be used to guide rotor airfoil shape design in the future.