Real-time solution of nonlinear potential flow equations for lifting rotors

Analysis of rotorcraft dynamics requires solution of the rotor induced flow field. Often, the appropriate model to be used for induced flow is nonlinear potential flow theory (which is the basis of vortex-lattice methods). These nonlinear potential flow equations sometimes must be solved in real time––such as for real-time flight simulation, when observers are needed for controllers, or in preliminary design computations. In this paper, the major effects of nonlinearities on induced flow are studied for lifting rotors in low-speed flight and hover. The approach is to use a nonlinear state-space model of the induced flow based on a Galerkin treatment of the potential flow equations.