Multi-objective Optimization of Aerodynamic Blade Shapes for Quadcopter System to Enhance Hovering Thrust and Power Consumption Efficiency

Abstract

This study focuses on maximizing hovering thrust and minimizing the power consumption of a quad-copter system at the same time by conducting multi-dimensional optimization of aerodynamic blade shapes. This work examines geometrical design variables for blades that influence thrusts, and the lift and drag (L&D) forces are calculated based on shape changes using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Based on both L&D forces obtained from CFD, surrogate models are generated using the response surface method (RSM). The non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is employed to acquire optimal blade shapes. Seven alternative shape combinations are obtained from the optimal combination obtained by the NSGA-II, each with a different L and D force value. These blades are printed engines via additive manufacturing, and a thrust test is conducted to measure power consumption using a voltmeter. As a result, it was possible to derive optimal blade shape combinations that can be chosen according to the flight conditions, and one can see that the predicted flight (i.e., an operating motor of a rotor blade) time by the analytical equation to identify battery specs is a good agreement with the actual battery consumption time measured via the thrust test. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences.