Download PDFOpen PDF in browserA Numerical Investigation on Improving the Hovering Efficiency of a UAV Helicopter with a Spherical FuselageEasyChair Preprint 96698 pages•Date: February 5, 2023AbstractTraditional methods used for spraying a biochemical pesticide have been seriously affecting human health, the social system, and the natural eco-environment. Therefore, an UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) helicopter is considered as one of the most promising methods for reducing or preventing the negative impacts of pesticide spraying. The objective of the present study is to enhance the hovering efficiency of a UAV helicopter with a spherical fuselage under the effects of the fuselage size (Rf/R) and the distance between the fuselage and rotor (Hm/R), where R is the rotor radius. The RANS method combined with the k-ε turbulent model is used to model the airflow through the helicopter. The numerical model mentioned was well validated by comparing it with the results obtained in the literature. Consequently, the hovering efficiency which is frequently known as a figure of merit (FM), increases with either increasing Rf/R or decreasing Hm/R. A novel correlation which is as the function of Rf/R and Hm/R is first proposed for predicting the FM of UAV helicopters quickly and effectively. The results obtained in this study are very useful for enhancing the aerodynamic performance of UAV helicopters applied in various applications, particularly pesticide spraying in agriculture. Keyphrases: Computational Fluid Dynamic, Helicopter, Turbulent flow, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, aerodynamic
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