Research on Optimization Design of Low Reynolds Number Airfoils Based on CFD

Laminar airfoil has extensive application prospect because of its low drag characteristic. In order to optimize the high lift-drag ratio airfoils of solar powered unmanned aerial vehicles in near space at low Reynolds number, the research on FX63-137 airfoil has been conducted. Firstly, numerical simulations are carried out using both transition SST model and transition \(k - k_{L} - \omega\) model, and are compared with the wind tunnel test results. Secondly, the parameterized modeling method and optimization algorithm for the airfoil are applied, and an airfoil optimization design platform has been built. An optimized airfoil has been designed based on FX63-137 airfoil using the platform. Results show that, the maximum lift-drag ratio of the optimized airfoil is increased by 6.83%, and the pitching moment is reduced by 0.015, which further improves the aerodynamic characteristics of FX63-137 airfoil and reduces the influence of trimming on aerodynamic efficiency.