Form 9.B Project Summary

Chron:

970640

Proposal Number:

06.04-9282

Project Title:

Reduced Order Free Wake Modeling

for Near Real Time Simulation of

Rotorcraft Flight Mechanics

Technical Abstract (Limit 200 words)

Rapid, realistic simulation of rotorcraft flight

mechanics is a continuing challenge for the

mission/flight simulation community, aircraft

designers, and control system specialists.

Accelerating flight dynamics models while

integrating them with state-of-the art performance

analysis tools is a particularly promising way to

streamline the design, testing, and certification of

new rotorcraft, particularly novel civil tiltrotors.

Efficient modeling of complex

wake/fuselage/empennage aerodynamic

interactions lies at the heart of this problem, though

rapidly evolving computational methods are now

bringing advanced aerodynamic modeling

techniques within reach for these applications. The

thrust of this proposed effort is to address the

limitations of current flight dynamics modeling tools

by developing dramatically accelerated, reduced

order embodiments of validated free wake models.

This will provide high fidelity treatments of

rotor/wake and rotor/body interaction for flight

mechanics and simulation activities while yielding

near real time performance on modern

workstations. This new model will also address

current limitations in predicting helicopter and

tiltrotor response to control inputs for general flight

conditions and will also incorporate

body/empennage effects. While integrating

smoothly with established performance analysis

tools and possessing strong "stand-alone"

capabilities, the model will be designed to be

operable with a variety of existing flight dynamics

codes for maximum utility.

Potential Commercial Applications (Limit 200 words)

Development of this capability would address the

need for new insight into the flight mechanics of

civil tiltrotor designs or other novel dual-rotor

configurations. It would also improve the fidelity of

fixed and moving-base helicopter flight simulators,

as well as aid the development of advanced flight

controls. In addition, better understanding of

helicopter and tiltrotor flow fields could also aid

commercial operators concerned with safe

operating procedures around ground obstructions or

in unusual attitudes or operating conditions caused

by environmental conditions or noise abatement

requirements.

Name and Address of Principal Investigator (Name,

Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)

Todd R. Quackenbush

Continuum Dynamics, Inc.

P.O. Box 3073

Princeton , NJ 08543-3073

Name and Address of Offeror (Firm Name, Mail Address,

City/State/Zip)

Barbara A. Agans

Continuum Dynamics, Inc.

P.O. Box 3073

Princeton , NJ 08543-3073