Drone-Vortex-Ring-Simulation

Interactive Python simulation of vortex-ring behavior generated by a drone under different thrust profiles.

What The Simulator Models

• Ring emission as a function of thrust over time
• Circulation scaling from thrust and rotor radius
• Viscous decay and core growth over time
• Ring self-induced velocity and vertical propagation
• Simple ring interaction damping when rings get too close

Interactive Controls

UI is built with Matplotlib widgets:

• Mode selector: step, slow, fast, hoverd, pulses
• Sliders for max thrust, rotor radius, viscosity scale, and time scale
• Buttons:
  • Pause/Start
  • Reset
  • Save CSV (time_s, total_circulation_m2_per_s)
  • Compare profiles (step/slow/fast overlay)

Visualization Panels

• 3D panel: drone + evolving vortex rings
• Information panel: physical interpretation + dimensionless metrics
• Time-series panel: total circulation in wake and profile comparisons

Output Artifacts

• CSV files from Save CSV button with auto-incremented filenames

Run

python vortex_rings_simulation.py

Dependencies

• numpy
• matplotlib

Limitations

• This is an educational reduced-order model, not a CFD solver
• Interaction model is heuristic, not full vortex-vortex physics
• Dimensional numbers and regime labels are approximate for visualization