Aerodynamics and Noise Reduction : Introduction & CFD contribution

 

• Propeller, wing and fuselage are the primary components of the drones.

• The fuselage is the main body of the drone where other essential parts are attached.

• Propeller converts rotary motion into thrust.

• Precise CFD analysis is needed to achieve high efficiency, excellent aerodynamic performance & good velocity range.

• CFD analysis helps design engineers to redesign inefficient components.

• The stable and accurate design of each component reduces the vibration & noise level.

 

Aerodynamics CFD analysis outcomes

 

Lift and drag forces on components

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• A different angle of attack, yaw and turbulent cases

• Analysis of airframe components

• Airframe and part load analysis

• Effect of wind on flight characteristics

• Wind effect on installed camera and structures

 

Transient simulation of time-dependent flow structures

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• Effect of turbulent structures

• Changing wind conditions

• High angle of attack or rotating propeller: transient CFD is necessary.

 

Preliminary design

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• Analysis of concept from the design workbench

• Steady and time-varying air force development on parts for further static and dynamic structural analysis

• Identification of extreme conditions and loads

• Comparison of different designs for wind loads

 

Flow-thermal analysis

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• Steady and time-dependent thermal analysis of parts

• Heating/cooling of electronic components such as motor and radio electronics

 

Noise analysis using CFD

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• Noise reduction is a challenging step in any drone design.

• Inefficient blade design, inefficient motor, faulty assembling etc. are the primary reasons for noise creation.

• Quieter drones are crucial for wildlife survey, surveillance, military use etc.

• Every wildlife is frightened by the unwanted noise hence they avoid such places that causes unconventional environmental changes such as bird migration.

• Other than wildlife survey and surveillance drones are also starting to get attention in the product delivery industry like Zomato

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