Aerodynamics of a quadrotor UAV under high-altitude vertical flow field based on CFD simulation

Investigating the lift characteristics of quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating in complex environments is of considerable significance. To address limitations in previous research regarding the influence of wind fields on quadrotor UAV flight performance, a simulation system based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is developed. This system incorporates high-altitude vertical flow field conditions to examine the effects of rotor speed and external wind velocity on UAV aerodynamic performance. The study involves model construction, mesh generation, parameter definition, and numerical solution acquisition. Velocity contours, pressure distributions, and streamline patterns are analyzed under varying operational scenarios. Based on the resulting data, parameter combinations are adjusted, and the lift curve is iteratively refined. Follo wing the redesign and repetition of experimental conditions, the aerodynamic interaction between the rotor system and the external wind field is effectively resolved. The outcomes, derived from the refined lift curve, offer theoretical guidance for UAV structural optimization and improved wind resistance capabilities, thereby establishing a foundational basis for future investigations in complex operational environments.