WP1: Integration on Architecture Requirements

The purpose of WP1 is to provide a consolidated basis for - and a support to - the design activities. It aims to collect, harmonise and integrate outputs of work done in previous projects, to define the key issues for the design of the envisaged tilt-rotor aircraft and to perform the needed aerodynamics and dynamics investigations. The main objectives are:

  • To collect, analyse, review and integrate the results that have been produced in the CTPs RHILP, TILTAERO, ADYN, DART, ACT-TILT and TRISYD;
  • To harmonise the data and the modelling assumptions used in the previous CTPs;
  • To define the guidelines and the objectives that will drive the aircraft design, starting from the common background identified by the harmonised CTP results;
  • To perform, in conjunction with WP2 and WP3, the aerodynamic, dynamic and aeroelastic design of the aircraft and of its subsystems (rotors, blades, fuselage, wing, tail planes, flight control system, drive train and engine, etc.);
  • To provide guidelines for the wind-tunnel tests activities of WP4 (with non-powered and powered models).

These objectives will be achieved through the activities of four tasks:

Task 1.1: CTP results / Models and codes validation (month 1 - month 24)

The aim of this task is to review and share the numerical and experimental results produced by the CTPs RHILP, TILTAERO, ADYN, DART, ACT-TILT and TRISYD, in order to support the process of standardisation, updating and improvement of the mathematical models to be used in the project and to highlight the project points that should be revised.

The work in broken down into four subtasks aiming to upgrade analyses and tools:

  • Subtask 1.1.1: Flight mechanics.
  • Subtask 1.1.2: CFD.
  • Subtask 1.1.3: Aeroacoustics.
  • Subtask 1.1.4: Aeroelasticity

Task 1.2: Overall characteristics (month 1 - month 24)

The aim of this task is to review ERICA requirements in terms of weight, performance, general loads, handling qualities and noise in the light of the results produced by the previous CTPs and to perform/support the design activity to fulfil them. The task is broken down into five subtasks: 

  • Subtask 1.2.1: Weight breakdown. Aiming to monitor the aircraft weight.
  • Subtask 1.2.2: Aircraft performances. Aiming to evaluate the aircraft performances.
  • Subtask 1.2.3: General loads. Aiming to define the design manoeuvres, to evaluate the loads of the aircraft components and to upgrade the load alleviation system.
  • Subtask 1.2.4: Handling qualities. Aiming to review the work done in project ACT-TILT and to enrich it concerning cruise mode and approach/landing conditions.
  • Subtask 1.2.5: Noise. Aiming to estimate the behaviour of the complete aircraft in terms of noise production.

Task 1.3: Aerodynamics (month 7 - month 54)

The objective of this task is to design the geometry of some of the full aircraft components (cuff, fuselage/wing fairing, wing and tail plane airfoils) and to evaluate the aerodynamic performance of the aircraft by means of CFD tools.

This task includes two subtasks:

  • Subtask 1.3.1: Rotor cuff optimisation.

Aiming to define a cuff shape compatible with the hub, spinner and blade geometry, in order to improve the rotor performance, particularly in cruise flight.

  • Subtask 1.3.2: Overall aircraft (fuselage, rotor/wing interactions, wing/tails interactions, fuselage/ wing integration).

Aiming to perform an aerodynamic optimisation of several aircraft components and to provide aerodynamic data and insight into the aerodynamic behaviour of the complete aircraft for the configurations to be tested in wind tunnels (WP4).

 

Task 1.4: Dynamics (month 4 - month 24)

This task aims to analyse the dynamic characteristics of the NICETRIP design with emphasis on eigen frequencies (e.g. rotor, wing, drive train), stability (e.g. rotor stability, drive train stability, wing flutter) and forced response (e.g. vibratory rotor loads, vibratory wing loads). This task will provide specifications and guidelines for the design of the different components to be performed in the project. It includes four subtasks: 

  • Subtask 1.4.1: Rotor aeroelasticity. Aiming to integrate the aeroelastic assessment of the isolated rotor performed within the previous CTPs and to support the rotor design and upgrading activity to be performed within WP2. The baseline configuration is defined by the outcomes of project DART concerning the hub, and by the results of projects DART, TILTAERO and ADYN concerning the blades.
  • Subtask 1.4.2: Drive train and engine stability. Aiming to perform a feasibility study for the engine, to investigate the key parameters which can influence the drive train and engine stability and to give recommendations for the design of the different components. Calculations will be based on the data available from the previous CTPs and on the data provided by the related tasks.
  • Subtask 1.4.3: Whirl flutter. Aiming to perform whirl flutter predictions using the upgraded aero-elastic codes in order to support design activities (e.g. wing, rotor) seeking an adequate whirl flutter free flight envelope of the envisaged tilt rotorcraft. Another aim is to give recommendations and guidelines for the design of the different aircraft components (e.g. airframe/wing, rotor and nacelle).
  • Subtask 1.4.4: Vibratory level / comfort. Aiming to assess the overall dynamic and stability behaviour of the complete aircraft, with particular emphasis on vibratory responses.