Exploring the potential of toroidal propellers: A comprehensive study on design, optimization, and experimental validation
AEROSPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, cilt.177, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 177
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.ast.2026.112738
- Dergi Adı: AEROSPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, INSPEC, zbMATH, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Kuzey Kıbrıs Kampüsü Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study presents a comprehensive framework for the design and optimization of toroidal propellers as a high thrust, low noise signature propeller for drones. A numerical framework is developed in OpenFOAM to select a promising baseline toroidal concept. A design of experiment methodology with response surface models is employed to optimize key geometric parameters, with a sensitivity analysis quantifying their influence on thrust, torque, and noise. The optimized design achieves a 35% increase in thrust and an 11% reduction in overall sound pressure levels compared to a conventional propeller at a given RPM. Aeroacoustic analysis supported the propeller's suitability for noise-sensitive missions. The final design is fabricated via stereolithography and experimentally tested, with results closely matching numerical calculations.