Applications Of Generalized Dynamic Wake Theory To The Flow In A Rotor Wake

A new co-state method with a finite number of states was recently expanded to be able to calculate the inflow below the rotor disk. The expanded model was derived in a mathematically rigorous way from the potential flow equations, and it offers an efficient means of doing real-time simulation of rotary wing systems. In this paper, as an important application of the generalized dynamic wake theory, the new method is used to compute inflow in the wake of a rotor with a finite number of blades. The three velocity components are calculated in the time domain for axial flow. The velocities are plotted at different distances from the rotor disk and compared with the Glauert prediction for axial flow and wake swirl. In the finite-state model, the angular momentum does not jump instantaneously across the disk (as predicted by Glauert), but it does transition rapidly across the disk to correct Glauert value.