Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Investigation of the wing design and endurance of an ultralight electrical aircraft

Ericson, Vanda LU and Palmgren, Jonathan LU (2022) MMKM05 20221
Innovation
Abstract
The goal of this thesis was to explore the conversion of a propeller driven two-seater combustion airplane to an electrical airplane. Four different wing designs
were considered. Two variations of Blackwing Sweden AB’s current Blackwing
wing (BW), a longer wing (BW-L) and a shorter wing (BW-S), as well as a new wing
with a different airfoil (GW). Using Computational Fluid Dynamics the wings were
modelled for different angles of attack to explore the aerodynamic properties. The
range and endurance of the wings as well as the minimum and maximum velocities
were analysed.

The computational modelling was conducted with both the SST k-ω and the Transitional SST turbulence model. The transitional model takes the laminar boundary layer... (More)
The goal of this thesis was to explore the conversion of a propeller driven two-seater combustion airplane to an electrical airplane. Four different wing designs
were considered. Two variations of Blackwing Sweden AB’s current Blackwing
wing (BW), a longer wing (BW-L) and a shorter wing (BW-S), as well as a new wing
with a different airfoil (GW). Using Computational Fluid Dynamics the wings were
modelled for different angles of attack to explore the aerodynamic properties. The
range and endurance of the wings as well as the minimum and maximum velocities
were analysed.

The computational modelling was conducted with both the SST k-ω and the Transitional SST turbulence model. The transitional model takes the laminar boundary layer into account, providing a more accurate result, since the wing profiles are laminar. GW was found more sensitive to the turbulence model used, and it was deducted that it was less robust than the BW wings.

By varying the specific energy of the batteries in the airplane, the required energy needed to achieve the two hour flight target set by the company was explored. The airplane was compared to similar electric airplanes to analyse the market competitiveness.

The results concluded that GW had the best range and endurance, however the cost
would be higher, since it would require new tools to be produced. The recommendation to the company is to continue with the wing that had the second best range and endurance, BW-L. (Less)
Popular Abstract
An electrical airplane puts high requirements on the design of the aircraft. The main part of a plane that makes it fly are the wings, therefore the design of the wings are of utmost importance.
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Ericson, Vanda LU and Palmgren, Jonathan LU
supervisor
organization
course
MMKM05 20221
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Aerodynamics, Electrical Aviation, CFD, Endurance, Drag
language
English
id
9089311
date added to LUP
2022-06-16 10:39:57
date last changed
2022-06-16 10:39:57
@misc{9089311,
  abstract     = {{The goal of this thesis was to explore the conversion of a propeller driven two-seater combustion airplane to an electrical airplane. Four different wing designs
were considered. Two variations of Blackwing Sweden AB’s current Blackwing
wing (BW), a longer wing (BW-L) and a shorter wing (BW-S), as well as a new wing
with a different airfoil (GW). Using Computational Fluid Dynamics the wings were
modelled for different angles of attack to explore the aerodynamic properties. The
range and endurance of the wings as well as the minimum and maximum velocities
were analysed.

The computational modelling was conducted with both the SST k-ω and the Transitional SST turbulence model. The transitional model takes the laminar boundary layer into account, providing a more accurate result, since the wing profiles are laminar. GW was found more sensitive to the turbulence model used, and it was deducted that it was less robust than the BW wings.

By varying the specific energy of the batteries in the airplane, the required energy needed to achieve the two hour flight target set by the company was explored. The airplane was compared to similar electric airplanes to analyse the market competitiveness.

The results concluded that GW had the best range and endurance, however the cost
would be higher, since it would require new tools to be produced. The recommendation to the company is to continue with the wing that had the second best range and endurance, BW-L.}},
  author       = {{Ericson, Vanda and Palmgren, Jonathan}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Investigation of the wing design and endurance of an ultralight electrical aircraft}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}