Aerodynamic Performance Investigation of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Instead of Conventional Ram Air Turbines of Airplane

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Department of Aerospace Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

In the present work, aerodynamic performance of a straight-blade Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine is examined in order to use instead of conventional ram air turbines of airplane. These turbines can operate closer to fuselage and this leads them to have shorter torque arm for its drag force; therefore it makes more stability for the whole airplane. In addition vertical axis wind turbines generally generate their maximum power in lower tip speed ratios in comparison to horizontal axis wind turbines; this case also can reduce the possibility of shock waves phenomena on the turbine blades. Furthermore depends on required output power, proposed turbine emergence from fuselage is adjustable. In order to evaluate performance of proposed turbine, the ram air turbine of Airbus a320 is selected and its dimensions are chosen. The average of output power and drag force of proposed turbine are computed using 3D simulation and they are compared with those of ram air turbines of a320. Results show that proposed turbine with endplates produces almost equal average of power along with 19.3% less drag force in comparison to ram air turbine of a320. Overllay, performance of proposed turbine indicates its prominent potential to use instead of conventional ram air turbines.

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References

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Amirkabir Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Volume 52, Issue 11
February 2021
Pages 2985-3000

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