Numerical Investigation of Propulsion Configuration Effects on Aerodynamic Performance in Distributed Electric Propulsion Wing System

The optimization design of distributed electric propulsion (DEP) system facilitates the enhancement of aircraft aerodynamic performance. This study aims to investigate the influence trends of propulsion system positioning configurations on wing aerodynamic characteristics. Initially, the primary positioning schemes were examined, focusing on wing leading edge and wingtip locations, which were systematically categorized into four distinct propulsion configurations. Subsequently, the actuator disk theory was employed to efficiently establish the interaction mechanisms between propellers and wing surfaces. Comparative numerical simulations were conducted across the four propulsion layouts to assess the aerodynamic impacts of spatial distribution patterns. This research provides a theoretical foundation for DEP configuration design and offers critical insights for developing high-performance DEP unmanned aerial vehicles in future aviation applications.