Fluid Simulation of Aerodynamic Interference of a Multicopter Type eVTOL Aircraft

In this study, the panel method for aerodynamic analysis was applied to the Quadrotor, which was a multicopter eVTOL (Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft proposed by NASA as a concept aircraft for AAM (Advanced Air Mobility). The eVTOL aircraft is expected to be environmentally friendly and convenient. On the other hand, the eVTOL aircraft have some issues such as cruising performance and noise. Based on the results of simulation, aerodynamic performance of the Quadrotor during each flight phase was analyzed by using a panel method and aerodynamic theories. In hovering flight, the rotor thrust and torque of the Quadrotor are larger than those of a single rotor, and it indicates that the rotor interference affects aerodynamic performance. When the rotor spacing was reduced, the thrust became larger insignificantly. In forward level flight, the maximum range was obtained at a cruising speed of 210 km/h. It is shown that the multicopter eVTOL aircraft investigated in this study has feasibility for using as the AAM in the future.