Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Biography

Biography: Felix Christopher Frischmann

Abstract

Propeller design and shape optimization (Propeller Design): Is a crucial task for propeller-based aircrafts and vehicles concerning their performance, efficiency and usability. For many use cases propeller-based aircrafts have proven to be reliable and cost-efficient. The geometric shape and topology of the propeller is a crucial design variable for such aircrafts. Various numerical tools like Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Fluid Simulations as well as their coupled interaction Fluid-Solid-Interaction (FSI) can be used to predict the propeller performance and optimize its shape with respect to power, performance and structural stability. Another approach for propeller theory to calculate the static condition is based on empirical data models and the lifting-line theory or vortex theory (see also PROP_DESIGN library by Anthony Falzone). This method is almost purely analytical and utilizes the Biot-Savart law and Kutta-Joukowski theorem. Thus, allows a fast and efficient execution of propeller optimization tasks with little computational resources, because no computationally expensive equations like Navier-Stokes need to be solved.    

The author will present a software implementation of this vortex theory for propeller design and optimization based on PROP_DESIGN. Furthermore, the integration of such methods in the mechanical engineering product design and production workflow will be presented. The necessary interaction and interfaces with CAD, CAM and CAE tools, also including the interaction with numerical methods like FEA/FSI for propeller cold shape design are demonstrated. The utilization of machine learning algorithms within an industrially applicable design workflow will be discussed and demonstrated.