Systems and Methods for Evaluating Coupled Aeromechanics-Electromagnetics in Maglev Rotors

The development of a coupled computational structural dynamics (CSD) and electrodynamic suspension (EDS) system was critical in modeling and predicting the aeromechanics of MagLev Aero's (MLA) propulsion system, ensuring safe testing and proving viability of levitated rotors for vertical lift systems. This advancement validates the feasibility of this enabling technology in applications of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) with high hover lift efficiencies. This paper explores the implementation of an electromagnetic motor hub on a large-root-cutout, slowed rotor system with a specific focus on the impacts on aeromechanics: loads, performance, vibrations, and aeroelastic stability. The performance benefits of a large-root-cutout system, with an external or internal rotor, are well known; however, the mechanisms to implement such a design have been impractical. The development of an EDS motor bearing enables previously unattainable configurations like large-root-cutout and tip-driven ducted systems that have advantageous loading, acoustic, and vibration performance; such benefits thus require characterization in dynamics and aeroelastic stability to prove the feasibility of these complex concepts. Furthermore, the ability to investigate a multidisciplinary, multiphysics-based system is nontrivial; customization and advancement of existing comprehensive analysis systems is required to solve these complex problems. The investigation of performance, dynamics, and aeroelastic stability for the EDS rotor on a subscale thrust test system, EXO600, is being substantiated through MagLev Aero's test programs. The results presented herein are a subset of the validations in aeromechanics and electrodynamics.