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Performance Trades Study for Robust Airfoil Shape OptimizationFrom time to time, existing aircraft need to be redesigned for new missions with modified operating conditions such as required lift or cruise speed. This research is motivated by the needs of conceptual and preliminary design teams for smooth airfoil shapes that are similar to the baseline design but have improved drag performance over a range of flight conditions. The proposed modified profile optimization method (MPOM) modifies a large number of design variables to search for nonintuitive performance improvements, while avoiding off-design performance degradation. Given a good initial design, the MPOM generates fairly smooth airfoils that are better than the baseline without making drastic shape changes. Moreover, the MPOM allows users to gain valuable information by exploring performance trades over various design conditions. Four simulation cases of airfoil optimization in transonic viscous ow are included to demonstrate the usefulness of the MPOM as a performance trades study tool. Simulation results are obtained by solving fully turbulent Navier-Stokes equations and the corresponding discrete adjoint equations using an unstructured grid computational fluid dynamics code FUN2D.
Document ID
20040001193
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Li, Wu
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Padula, Sharon
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2003
Subject Category
Aircraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
AIAA Paper 2003-3790
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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