Airfoil Data Analysis Software for Rotorcraft Design

NASA is actively working on Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Vehicle Technologies such as the Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) project. For the analysis/design of these types of vehicles, rotorcraft tools require aerodynamic properties of the rotor sections over -180 to +180 degrees of angle of attack and wide range of operating conditions covering all flight situations. This large amount of aerodynamic data is typically provided in the form of C81-formatted airfoil aerodynamic coefficient table files. Thus, there is a need to generate these C81-formatted files using an automated computer tool. AVEC proposes the development of a software package for the generation of airfoil aerodynamic data using several analysis tools (XFOIL, OVERFLOW, MSES). In addition, the software will also include a database that allows the interactive visualization and manipulation of the data. The software package will be run using a graphic user interface (GUI) with many capabilities to make the process fast, accurate and cost effective. To this end, AVEC will leverage many tools developed over the last 20 years as part of many projects in aerodynamics and acoustics of propulsion systems, e.g. propellers, ducted fans, etc. In fact, using internal funds over the last ~3 years, AVEC has already started developing a GUI operated database for a large number of airfoil profiles and aerodynamic data. Since the existing GUI already contains some of the features and capabilities requested in the solicitation, Phase I work can provide an efficient use of funds while also focusing specifically on addressing NASA’s requirements. Based on AVEC’s capabilities, experience, and existing tools, a beta version of the software package will be delivered at the end of Phase I.

The proposed software package that runs airfoil simulations and generates C81-formatted files will directly support the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) Project under the Advanced Air Vehicle Program. The proposed software package will allow to quickly and very efficiently generate the necessary aerodynamic input data to the rotorcraft codes for the analysis and design of advanced vertical lift vehicles. The proposed airfoil database integrated into the software package will also serve as an extensive repository of curated airfoil information, e.g. geometry, bibliographical reference, flow conditions, tool used to compute lift/drag/moment coefficients, boundary layer (BL) data, pressure distribution, etc. This database can be used by many groups within different NASA centers. For example, aerodynamic data such as BL displacement thickness, surface pressure spectrum near the airfoil trailing edge (TL), etc. can be used in the noise prediction of propulsion systems. The target industry for the proposed software package are aircraft developers, urban air mobility eVTOL vehicles, and many other industries where quiet and efficient fans are sought, e.g. manufacturing, mining, ventilation, etc. These industries require capabilities for the rapid and accurate prediction of aerodynamic loads, structural loads, and noise from complete configurations or individual sub-components. Although the generation of C81-formatted data files is of interest to the industry at large, there are many other potential spinoff commercialization opportunities as part of this SBIR effort. One such opportunity is the sale of the curated airfoil information database to industry. This can also include generating results for their proprietary airfoils as part of consulting services. Another opportunity is the development of code specific GUIs. Since the software package will control the execution of a variety of airfoil aero predictions tools (XFOIL, OVERFLOW, MSES, ARC2D, etc.), the sale/license of the individual GUIs to efficiently run these tools is a very fertile market opportunity.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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