Creating actuator disks
This is still an experimental feature! Use with caution.
The APM Solver has the ability to simulate propellers by using the actuator disk model. To create an actuator disk add the following lines to the end of the .conf file:
[actuator_disk]
x = 0
y = 0
z = 0
nx = 0
ny = 0
nz = 0
R = 0
CT = 0
The
x,y,z variables specify the centre of the actuator disk. The nx, ny, nz specify the unit normal vector of the actuator disk and the R and CT variables specify the radius and the thrust coefficient. The image below shows the centre of the actuator disk, its radius and its unit normal vector.
Definition of an actuator disk
The unit normal vector should point in the direction of the thrust vector.
The images below show some examples of actuator disks.
NACAA 4412 Wing with actuator disk
Fixed-wing UAV with two actuator disks
Last modified 2yr ago