Actuator line method simulations for the analysis of wind turbine wakes acting on helicopters

Abstract

In the present study the actuator line method is used to simulate the wake of a wind turbine and ways to characterize its impact on the flight of a helicopter model through the wake are evaluated. The helicopter within the simulation setup is represented by a dynamic actuator line which was implemented into the flow solver FLOWer. In order to evaluate the loads on the helicopter the thrust force distribution is compared in different areas of the wake. For further improvement of the actuator line implementation different methods to evaluate the angle of attack are compared. This was examined as the angle of attack is a highly important parameter for the actuator line and helps to optimise the accuracy and performance of the actuator line method. As there is no experimental data available and the model of the helicopter comes with distinct simplifications the loads are compared to values without the wake of the wind turbine, thus in free flight.