Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Authors' Class Standing
James Bukowski, Senior Michaela Dayco, Senior Durga Niroula, Senior Daniel DeQuarto, Senior Eric Conley, Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
James Bukowski
Faculty Mentor Name
Zheng Zhang
Abstract
The focus of this project is to run a micro-rotor at varying RPMs, analyzing the flow underneath the blades and above the ground based on flow visualization. This study is related to the understanding of the factors affecting the stability and performance of a rotorcraft. A variety of factors are manipulated, which includes the RPM, blade angle of attack, and ground effect presence. The investigation involves using Planar Laser Imaging where a laser is directed into a test chamber (in our case, the test chamber is filled with smoke) and is matched with a high-speed camera to capture flow visualizations in a non-intrusive, relatively simple manner. Our data primarily consists of flow field velocity measurements, force measurements, and flow field visualization. The flow visualization and velocity data were obtained via the high-speed camera and an accompanying laser system that passed through a diverging lens to illuminate the smoke. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) has been performed on the rotor wake, and the preliminary flow field analysis is also presented. Current activities include torque measurements and PIV at varying angles.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, Ignite Grant
Experimental Investigations of Micro Rotor-Tip Vortices
The focus of this project is to run a micro-rotor at varying RPMs, analyzing the flow underneath the blades and above the ground based on flow visualization. This study is related to the understanding of the factors affecting the stability and performance of a rotorcraft. A variety of factors are manipulated, which includes the RPM, blade angle of attack, and ground effect presence. The investigation involves using Planar Laser Imaging where a laser is directed into a test chamber (in our case, the test chamber is filled with smoke) and is matched with a high-speed camera to capture flow visualizations in a non-intrusive, relatively simple manner. Our data primarily consists of flow field velocity measurements, force measurements, and flow field visualization. The flow visualization and velocity data were obtained via the high-speed camera and an accompanying laser system that passed through a diverging lens to illuminate the smoke. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) has been performed on the rotor wake, and the preliminary flow field analysis is also presented. Current activities include torque measurements and PIV at varying angles.