Optimal Design Of Vectored Thrust eVTOL Rotor Blades

Abstract

This paper employs a comprehensive analysis code to investigate the effects of key parameters on variable-speed rotors. The feasibility of reducing tip speed to achieve noise mitigation is validated however, it is also shown that this approach may compromise the wind resistance capability of eVTOLs. This paper presents a comprehensive optimization method focusing on aerodynamics, noise reduction, and wind resistance capability to overcome challenges induced by wind disturbances during the landing phase of vectored thrust eVTOLs. The method decouples the optimization of rotor tip speed from that of blade geometry to improve computational efficiency and accelerate the optimization process. Using the proposed method, two sets of optimizations were conducted. Result A, which does not account for wind resistance capability, shows varying degrees of improvement or preservation in both aerodynamic and acoustic performance during hover and forward flight. Result B, optimized with the inclusion of a wind resistance coefficient, sacrifices part of the aerodynamic and acoustic performance in forward flight in exchange for a lower thrust fluctuation rate and lower gust reduced frequency, indicating enhanced wind resistance capability.