Use of open source tools and wind tunnel data in UAV propeller modeling for dynamic simulation

Abstract

The modeling of propellers is a topic of interest, with the growing use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). Due to the complexity of their geometries, the theoretical models proposed are very simplified and the best approximation to their performances is the experimental or the CFD approaches. Currently, there are many scientific works published with information regarding the operation of commercial models of propellers for drones. In the present work the approximation to propellers modeling from a Eulerian point of view is introduced. It is also exposed how the nondimensional parameters of propellers propulsion are obtained. Using these parameters, a methodology to obtain the necessary power, thrust and performance of the propeller, from the velocity of the mass of air, the diameter of the propeller, and its speed of rotation, is proposed. The presented methodology intends to use the abundant scientific studies in wind tunnel to adjust regression equations applied to curves of performance. Finally, it is proposed the design of a black box that predicts the operation of the drone propellers, introducing the regression equations in a “black-box” model.