Modeling multirotor wake interference in quadrotor eVTOL flight dynamics and handling qualities
| dc.contributor.author | Wang, Yeping | |
| dc.contributor.author | Ji, Honglei | |
| dc.contributor.author | Lu, Linghai | |
| dc.contributor.author | Zhou, Pan | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-07-03T15:30:47Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-07-03T15:30:47Z | |
| dc.date.freetoread | 2025-07-03 | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-10-01 | |
| dc.date.pubOnline | 2025-06-27 | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study presents a good-fidelity flight dynamics model for a quadrotor eVTOL aircraft, with a particular focus on the effects of multirotor aerodynamic interference on vehicle stability and handling qualities. A dynamic vortex tube model, enhanced to account for aircraft angular motions, is developed and integrated with dynamic inflow theory to compute rotor-induced and interference velocities efficiently. The model is validated against wind tunnel data and benchmark trim results, demonstrating strong predictive accuracy. Incorporating this interference model into a 6-DoF flight dynamics framework reveals that multirotor wake interference significantly modify both static and dynamic stability characteristics, especially in low-to-medium speed regimes. Moreover, aerodynamic interference degrades incidence stability, reduces pitch and heave damping, and adversely affects phugoid behavior. In the lateral-directional axes, it destabilizes the spiral mode and introduces non-monotonic variations in Dutch roll stability. Handling qualities analysis using ADS-33E-PRF metrics shows that interference reduces pitch bandwidth from Level 1 to Level 2 and marginally deteriorates pitch and roll dynamic stability, while improving pitch-axis quickness. These findings demonstrate that multirotor aerodynamic interference is not merely a performance issue but a critical factor influencing flight control design and certification. The proposed modeling approach offers a computationally efficient yet physically grounded method for assessing multirotor eVTOL handling qualities across the full flight envelope. | |
| dc.description.journalName | Aerospace Science and Technology | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | This research was supported by the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center NO: RAL202302-3; National Natural Science Foundation of China, NO: 11902052; the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing, NO: CSTB2022NSCQ-MSX1592. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Wang Y, Ji H, Lu L, Zhou P. (2025) Modeling multirotor wake interference in quadrotor eVTOL flight dynamics and handling qualities. Aerospace Science and Technology, Volume 165, October 2025, Article number 110533 | en_UK |
| dc.identifier.elementsID | 673731 | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 1270-9638 | |
| dc.identifier.paperNo | 110533 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2025.110533 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/24150 | |
| dc.identifier.volumeNo | 165 | |
| dc.language | English | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Elsevier | en_UK |
| dc.publisher.uri | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1270963825006042?via%3Dihub | |
| dc.rights | Attribution 4.0 International | en |
| dc.rights.uri | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | |
| dc.subject | 4012 Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering | en_UK |
| dc.subject | 40 Engineering | en_UK |
| dc.subject | 4001 Aerospace Engineering | en_UK |
| dc.subject | Aerospace & Aeronautics | en_UK |
| dc.subject | Quadrotor eVTOL | en_UK |
| dc.subject | Aerodynamic interference | en_UK |
| dc.subject | Handling qualities | en_UK |
| dc.subject | Stability | en_UK |
| dc.subject | Flight dynamics | en_UK |
| dc.title | Modeling multirotor wake interference in quadrotor eVTOL flight dynamics and handling qualities | en_UK |
| dc.type | Article | |
| dcterms.dateAccepted | 2025-06-21 |