A Metric for Determining the Efficiency of Gust Energy Extraction

Authors

  • J.A. Cole The Pennsylvania State University, Applied Research Laboratory, State College, PA, USA
  • M. Melville Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • G. Bramesfeld Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada

Abstract

A metric for the efficiency with which an aircraft extracts energy from a vertical gust is derived using an energy analysis. The energy analysis provides the maximum possible energy available in the gust for extraction by the aircraft, and the efficiency is the percentage of that theoretical maximum extracted. The efficiency factor allows for the comparison of the gust-energy extraction potential of a wide range of aircraft configurations and gust profiles. Examination of the equation for maximum possible energy extraction also revealed ways of tailoring the design of the aircraft for increased extraction potential and the sensitivity of the maximum to various aircraft and gust parameters. Two example cases from the literature were analyzed to determine their respective energy extraction efficiencies.

Downloads

Published

2023-10-27

Issue

Vol. 45 No. 4 (2021)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Technical Soaring

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

CLEARANCE AND LICENSE TO PUBLISH:

This paper is UNCLASSIFIED (for public reasons) and has been cleared by the appropriate agencies, company and government. This paper represents original work by the author(s). No portion of the material is covered by a prior copyright; or for any portion copyrighted, the author has obtained permission for its use.
I hereby license OSTIV to publish this paper and to use it for all of OSTIV's current and future publications uses.