Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jkksz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-22T11:16:21.263Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A feasibility assessment of annular winged VTOL flight vehicles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2016

B. Saeed ,
G. Gratton  and
C. Mares
G. Gratton
Affiliation:
Brunel Flight Safety Laboratory, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK
C. Mares
Affiliation:
Brunel Flight Safety Laboratory, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper presents a feasibility study to integrate a developed lift system (an annular wing wrapped around a centrifugal flow generator) into a Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing V/STOL aircraft. Different physical scales, from micro aerial vehicle to a Harrier Jump Jet scale, for a variety of propulsion systems are explored. The system has shown to be viable for several classes of aircraft but with better performance offered by a micro-aerial-vehicle (~40g) and a large vehicle (~10,000kg) with a turbofan engine, albeit in both cases with apparently worse performance than is offered by current technologies. The wingform does not appear to be feasible in the light aircraft scale whilst using internal combustion engines.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 115 , Issue 1173 , November 2011 , pp. 683 - 692
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2011 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Frost-Gaskin, P. Static wing for an aircraft. UK Patent Application, No 2438848A, 2007.Google Scholar
2. Saeed, B. and Gratton, G.B. Exploring the aerodynamic characteristics of a blown annular wing for V/STOL applications. IMechE, J Aerospace Engineering (in press).Google Scholar
3. European Aviation Safety Agency, Certification Specification for Very Light Aeroplanes, CS.VLA to Al1.Google Scholar
4. Wei Shyy, Y.L., Jian, T., Dragos, V. and Hao, L. Aerodynamics of Low Reynolds Number Flyers, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2008.Google Scholar
5. Saeed, B. and Gratton, G.B. An evaluaton of the historical issues associated with achieving non helicopter V/STOL capability and the search for the flying car, Aeronaut J, 114, (1152), pp 91–101.Google Scholar
6. Michael, J.M. and Francis, M.S. Micro Air Vehicles – Toward a New Dimension in Flight. DARPA Report, 1997.Google Scholar
7. http://mil.wms.kg/?p=418 (retrieved 01/06/11).Google Scholar
8. http://a.parsons.edu/~aufierot/wireless/ archives/ cat_wireless_ video.html (retrieved 01/06/11).Google Scholar
9. Stanciu, V., Causa, H.A. and Boscoianu, M. Alternative Propulsion Systems for Micro Aerial Vehicles. European Micro Air Vehicle Conference and Flight Competition, EMAV, Conference Proceedings, 2006.Google Scholar
10. Grasmeyer, J.M. and Keennon, M.T. Development of the Black Widow Micro Air Vehicle, American Institution of Aeronautics and Astronautics, AIAA-2001-0127, 2001.Google Scholar
11. British Microlight Aircraft Association, Propellers, Technical Information Leaflet No.11, issue 2.Google Scholar
12. www.astroflight.com (retrieved 05/03/2010).Google Scholar
13. http://www.rctoys.com/ (retrieved 01/03/2010).Google Scholar
14. http://www.gwsprops.com/ (retrieved 21-07-2010).Google Scholar
15. Energy Density of Aviation Fuel. Hypertextbook.com. (retrieved 10-06-2010).Google Scholar
16. http://www.microflight.com/Prop-EP-4530 (retrieved 21-07-2010).Google Scholar
17. Marek, P. Design, Optimisation and Flight Testing of a Micro Air Vehicle. A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK, 2007.Google Scholar
18. http://uk.ask.com/wiki/Bell_Eagle_Eye (retrieved 01/06/11).Google Scholar
19. http://www.uavforum.com/vehicles/overview.htm (retrieved 01/03/2010).Google Scholar
20. www.rotax-aircraft-engines.com (retrieved 28/02/2010).Google Scholar
21. http://www.flylight.co.uk/gliding/index.htm (retrieved 21-07-2010).Google Scholar
22. Conceptual Design Report for the Agricultural Unmanned Aircraft System. courses.ae.illinois.edu (retrieved 01/03/2010).Google Scholar
23. http://www.iascanada.com/engmodels.html accessed 21/7/10.Google Scholar
24. http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/aturbf.html (retrieved 21-07-2010).Google Scholar
25. Johnston, J.A. Kestrel P1127 Evaluation Trials, Proceedings of the 9th annual symposium of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (1965).Google Scholar
26. Saeed, B. and Gratton, G.B. An evaluaton of the historical issues associated with achieving non-helicopter V/STOL capability and the search for the flying car, Aeronaut J, 114, (1152), pp 91–101.Google Scholar
27. Turbofan Engine Data Table 2, www.aircraftenginedesign.com (retrieved 06/04/2010).Google Scholar
28. McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace AV-8B Harrier II Attack Fighter. Aircraft Museum. Aerospaceweb.org. (Retrieved 15/05/2010).Google Scholar