29.09.2020 - Version 4.8 released
- Quick start optimization model added, accessible through the Quick start menu
BUGFIXES:
- Parameter study feature more stable
- Step-wise constraints working again
- Blender Dialog more stable now
- Airfoil import dialog works now also multiple times
- Unit systems table is showing conversion factors again
17.09.2020 - Version 4.5 released
BUGFIXES:
- DLL loading problems resolved
- Flaps table bugs resolved
- FEM Export to ANSYS and NASTRAN fixed
06.09.2020 - Version 4.3 released
- Graphics performance improvements through a new wireframe speed up the rendering and therefore also the wing shape optimizations
- BOBYQA and CMAES Optimizer settings adapted to recent literature recommendations
- Negative design lift force is now supported
- Additional results in the output summary tables
- Reduced Installer file size due to removed libraries
- Increased app stability
BUGFIXES:
- Freezing Flight condition panel resolved
- Optimization/Parameter study panel maintains constraint settings also after restart
20.01.2020 - Version 4.2 released
BUGFIXES:
- in the Geometry tab: The Table is now editable again
- The NASTRAN Export method works again
12.01.2020 - Version 4.1 released
Happy new year - Aeolus ASP is now free and does not require any licence :)
NEW FEATURE: Propeller blade analysis
- It is now possible to review the flow characteristics on a rotating propeller. It can have any number of blades and can be operating as compressor or turbine (eg for wind energy).
Validation has been done against wind tunnel data.
To access the feature, just load the default propeller from the Quick-Start menu and modify as needed.
Graphics:
- Switched to JavaFX to improve graphics on 4k monitors and to resolve reported graphic issues with some graphic cards.
05.03.2019 - Version 4.0 released
NEW FEATURE: Propellers
- Arbitrary number of propellers can be added to the model. Each propeller has a thrust vector which adds to the aircraft force balance and enables to study different propeller configurations,
such as positions, mount angles, and thrust.
- Additional result parameters related to propulsion, such as rate of climb, and pitch angle.
- Additional 3d plot entities: Center of gravity location, force balance, flight path angle, and horizontal reference
NEW FEATURE: Unit system
- The systems of units can now be selected. Available systems are SI and Foot-pound-second (FPS). The system of units is saved with the model.
Optimization:
- New formulation of penalties delivers much better results and helps the user to identify which constraints are violated. Also, the standard penalties have been changed and allow for a more
straightforward application.
- Improved optimization history plot showing the objective function including all penalties
- Additional constraints are now available: Pressure coefficient, geometry change rates, pitch angle, flight path angle, rate of climb, center of gravity location
Misc:
- Improved labels in 3d view
- Bugfix in C_l_wet constraint. The lift coefficient of a strip does now take into account the full component of the force perpendicular to the onset flow, not only the part projected into the
x-z-plane. Optimizations using this constraint now run much more robust and deliver better results.
- Update of third-party libraries and the runtime environment for improved performance.
- Improved exception handling
28.01.2019 - Version 3.11 released
NEW FEATURE: First propulsion parameters (Engines and Propeller feature to come soon)
- Additional plots for required thrust and performance as function of airspeed at a given altitude for steady horizontal flight.
- Thrust and performance parameters are accessible as objective functions, and constraints for optimization and parameter studies
Misc:
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Default penalty factors improved for different optimization constraints.
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Increased resolution of carpet plots.
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Default viscous drag coefficient changed to a more typical value, which can be used for most cases (at Reynolds numbers greater than 200 000)
04.01.2019 - Version 3.10 released
NEW FEATURE: Model export to CAD
- Allows easy geometry export to all major CAD systems, including CATIA, SolidWorks, NX and many more using the STL format.
Bugfix:
Misc:
- Additional constraints are available in the optimization. In particular, structural constraints on the root bending now enable the analysis of bell-shaped lift distributions and
new configurations with proverse yaw.
- Notification when updates are available
- Updated libraries increase performance
18.11.2018 - Version 3.9 released
Misc:
- Additional licence types are available, now also including a Free licence.
- Updated in-app links to tutorials, store, and downloads due to a new website structure
- Bugfix in airfoil import dialog
Results:
- Values of design variables are shown as real values, not normalized
09.11.2018 - Version 3.8 released
- Additional User hints in case of inconsistent bounds of design variables
- 2D pressure distribution plots include the y position of the current strip
03.11.2018 - Version 3.7 released
NEW FEATURE: Parameter studies feature
- Enables automatic screening of parameters and the impact on specific results. For example, this feature can be used to understand the change of the static margin due to a change of the
sweep angle.
- Parameters include real and integer values, including geometry, discretization, computation settings etc.
- Internal checks make sure that the setup is consistent
- An additional results node provides access to the screening results. This is also true for optimizations.
- Multiple parameters can be screened at the same time
Optimization:
- More objective functions available
- Design variables now also include flap angles
Discretization:
- Number of panels per strip need not be even but may also be odd.
- Strip-wise refinement option BOTH added. This increases the panel density at both extremities of a strip.
Geometry:
- Different options for the definition of a section's chord length.
Airfoils:
- Coordinates do not need to be normalized anymore.
- The model can also be loaded when the required airfoil is not available in the airfoil catalog. In this case a dummy airfoil will be used (NACA0012)
- The airfoil name is not case-sensitive in the xml file
- Names may contain dots
User Settings:
- Preferences dialog enables the definition of colors, sizes, arrow types etc.
- User Settings are saved when closing the application and restored at the next start.
Bugfix:
- Freshwater and Seawater models load properly
Misc:
- Improved Error Handling allows to save the model before potential crash
- Multi-threading accelerates start-up
- White canvas background and larger font size
- Improved result plots of strictly vertical wings (such as VTPs)
- xml suffix removed from model name
- Automatic logging of results in a text file
- New aileron example accessible through the QuickStart menu
- Additional checks and error messages when loading an xml file improve debugging of manually created xml files
23.09.2018 - Version 3.6 released
NEW FEATURE: Flaps
- Each airfoil provides an optional flap to easily model ailerons, elevons etc.
Bugfixes:
- More robust error handling at start-up
- Open File- dialog working properly when invoked multiple times
- Anonymous bug reports can be sent
Misc:
- Improved modelling of vertical wings (such as VTPs)
- New performance plot Lift/Drag as a function of speed and altitude
15.09.2018 - Version 3.5 released
Airfoil catalog:
- Added over 1000 airfoils to the built-in airfoil catalog
- Airfoil import feature allows easy import of multiple airfoil files at the same time.
- All airfoils in the catalog are accessible for inspection through a node in the Model Tree
02.09.2018 - Version 3.4 released
Flight condition:
- new Fluids available (Seawater and Freshwater)
- definition of additional fluid parameters
- 2D plot of the lift coefficient and Mach number as a function of speed and altitude
Airfoil import:
- Less strict format requirements allow different number formats, comment sections and different separators. As result, it is more compatible with the traditional online database formats
and enable direct import without a need to tweak the airfoil files by hand.
Discretization:
- Improved control of panel density through strip-wise definition of density and distribution.
Misc:
- Minor bug fixes and other improvements
21.08.2018 - Version 3.3.1 released
Third-party libraries updated for stability and performance
Improved Windows Installer
12.08.2018 - Version 3.3 released
Easy access to the Quick-Start and User Guide, tutorials, and examples
through a Welcome Dialog at start-up, and a new QuickStart menu item
08.07.18 - Version 3.2 released
Licence check shows warning message when there is no internet connection.
03.06.2018 - Version 3.1 released
Bugfix:
- Nacelle feature stable
- Toolbar icons path repaired
02.06.2018 - Version 3.0 released
NEW FEATURE: Multiple wings
- Additional wings can be added to the model, such as tail planes, split flaps, biplanes, etc.
- Unlimited number of additional, generic wings
- All parameters of all wings are also accessible in the optimization
- Individual wing designations and colors easy modelling
NEW FEATURE: Additional 3D plots
- Surface velocity vectors
- Center of pressure location
- Aerodynamic center location
- Global angle of attack
- Reynolds number (strip-wise)
NEW FEATURE: Nacelle
- Easy modelling of circular wings, such as engine nacelles or ring wings
Results:
- Polar plot and aerodynamic coefficients of all wings, and of the entire aircraft, respectively.
- Oswald factor added
- Parameter designations improved
Blender:
- Tapered blends for twist and chord using different options (Const.,Linear,Sin,1-Cos)
Computation:
- Panel includes estimated memory requirement
- Large models do not throw warnings anymore
Bugfixes:
- Constraint violation penalty sign corresponds to goal type
- Sweep variation in blends
- And some more minor improvements
Misc:
- Geometry panel shows the Wing's dependent parameters, such as wing area and mean aerodynamic chord
- Model tree structure improved
- Additional model checks including penetration of symmetry plane
- New optimization algorithm CMA-ES implemented
- Reference system node removed. The default reference area is the projected wing area and the reference length is the mean aerodynamic chord
- Kernel update for improved stability and performance
25.03.2018 - Version 2.5 released
NEW FEATURES:
- Blending dihedral changes (e.g. for smooth transitions to winglets)
- Undo and Redo buttons available in the toolbar
Misc:
- Solver selects Kernel according to Windows version
- Numbered sections improve modelling
12.02.2018 - Version 2.4 released
NEW FEATURE: Constrained optimization
- Constraints can be defined to avoid unfeasible designs. Available constraints include stability measures and the local lift coefficient.
Misc:
- Optimization algorithm BOBYQA improved
- Minor bugfixes
31.01.2018 - Version 2.3 released
This is the initial release of Aeolus Aero Sketch Pad.