Empirical Inflow Ratio Adjustment for Hovering Open Rotors with Experimental Validation

This study presents empirical modifications of Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT) to improve rotor performance prediction for open rotors in hovering conditions. The empirical adjustments were made to the inflow ratio, factoring in the real rotor wake area and estimated induced power losses. A comparison between experimental data and two analytical models, one using an empirical inflow formula and the other a theoretical formula (classical BEMT), was conducted for two rotors. The empirical inflow model demonstrated superior accuracy in predicting thrust and torque. These modifications are applied to the inflow ratio by accounting for the actual rotor wake area and estimated induced power losses. The findings highlight the potential for more accurate performance prediction through the integration of empirical data into theoretical frameworks.