A Simple Method for Studying Aero-Propulsion Characteristics of a Distributed Electric Propulsion Aircraft

Distributed electric propulsion (DEP) is a popular research area in the aerospace field, with most research focusing on investigating the aerodynamic features of DEP configurations through numerical simulations. However, little has been done to optimize the coupling of distributed power and airframe. This paper starts with a problem of the propeller/wing aero-propulsion characteristics and a multidisciplinary analysis framework for electric aircraft, followed by a simplified aerodynamic analysis method for the propeller/wing aero-propulsion analysis. The geometric model of placing a propeller at the leading edge of a wing was analyzed using the RANS method for aerodynamic analysis, and the results were compared with those of the simplified aerodynamic analysis method to validate the rationality of the simplified analysis method. The model established in this paper was used for aerodynamic analysis, aerodynamic optimization design, and electric propulsion system parameter analysis of typical distributed electric propulsion aircraft. This provides valuable reference for the design of distributed electric propulsion aircraft.