Ridges may boost helicopters flight
Feb
2
Written by:
02/02/2012 12:21
Researchers have developed a technique that could help helicopters reach greater altitudes and boost their manoeuvrability.
Researchers have developed a technique that could help helicopters reach greater altitudes and boost their manoeuvrability.
Scientists at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) said that the results could be achieved by placing ridges on the leading edge of the blades.
The team members looked to nature for inspiration, specifically the ridges on the pectoral fins of humpback whales.
Dr Kai Richter of DLR told the Engineer that the main rotor system that powers a chopper can cause it to become unstable during flight.
He added: "The main problem is that on the advancing blade the rotational speed and the flight velocity of the craft itself combine, so locally on the blade there are very high flow velocities - you even get supersonic flow on the outer part of the blade.
"But on the retreating blade it's the other way round - the rotational speed and the flight speed of the helicopter subtract and you have low flow velocities."
After looking into the natural design of the whales, the team developed the lightweight leading-edge vortex generators (LEVoGs).
Copyright Press Association 2012