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At least 379 records · Page 21

A study of high speed flows in an aircraft transition duct

The study of circular-to-rectangular transition duct flows with and without inlet swirl is presented. A method was devised to create a swirling, solid body rotational flow with minimal associated disturbances. Details of the swirl generator design and construction are discussed. Coefficients based on velocities and total and static pressures measured in cross stream planes at four axial locations within the transition duct along with surface static pressures and surface oil film visualization are presented for both nonswirling and swirling incoming flows. A method was developed to acquire trace gas measurements within the transition duct at high flow velocities. Statistical methods are used to help interpret the trace gas results.

Reichert, Bruce A.↗

The aerodynamic characteristics of vortex ingestion for the F/A-18 inlet duct

A Reduced Navier-Stokes (RNS) solution technique was successfully combined with the concept of partitioned geometry and mesh generation to form a very efficient 3-D RNS code aimed at the analysis-design engineering environment. Partitioned geometry and mesh generation is a pre-processor to augment existing geometry and grid generation programs which allows the solver to (1) recluster an existing gridlife mesh lattice, and (2) perturb an existing gridfile definition to alter the cross-sectional shape and inlet duct centerline distribution without returning to the external geometry and grid generator. The present results provide a quantitative validation of the initial value space marching 3-D RNS procedure and demonstrates accurate predictions of the engine face flow field, with a separation present in the inlet duct as well as when vortex generators are installed to suppress flow separation. The present results also demonstrate the ability of the 3-D RNS procedure to analyze the flow physics associated with vortex ingestion in general geometry ducts such as the F/A-18 inlet. At the conditions investigated, these interactions are basically inviscid like, i.e., the dominant aerodynamic characteristics have their origin in inviscid flow theory.

Anderson, Bernhard H.↗

Prediction of the acoustic field in a three-dimensional rectangular duct using the boundary element method

A boundary element formulation, along with detailed solution procedure for determining the acoustic field inside a three-dimensional, rectangular duct is presented in this paper. The results of classical and boundary element solutions are compared for a typical rectangular duct by restricting the input frequency in such a way that only plane wave propagation is possible. The effect of changing the type and number of discrete boundary elements on the computed sound pressure levels inside the duct is also presented.

Pates, Carl S., III↗

Evaluation of panel code predictions with experimental results of inlet performance for a 17-inch ducted prop/fan simulator operating at Mach 0.2

An axisymmetric panel code was used to evaluate a series of ducted propeller inlets. The inlets were tested in the Lewis 9 by 15 Foot Low Speed Wind Tunnel. Three basic inlets having ratios of shroud length to propeller diameter of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.5 were tested with the Pratt and Whitney ducted prop/fan simulator. A fourth hybrid inlet consisting of the shroud from the shortest basic inlet coupled with the spinner from the largest basic inlet was also tested. This later configuration represented the shortest overall inlet. The simulator duct diameter at the propeller face was 17.25 inches. The short and long spinners provided hub-to-tip retios of 0.44 at the propeller face. The four inlets were tested at a nominal free stream Mach number of 0.2 and at angles of attack from 0 degrees to 35 degrees. The panel code method incorporated a simple two-part separation model which yielded conservative estimates of inlet separation.

Boldman, D. R.↗

Theoretical models for duct acoustic propagation and radiation

The development of computational methods in acoustics has led to the introduction of analysis and design procedures which model the turbofan inlet as a coupled system, simultaneously modeling propagation and radiation in the presence of realistic internal and external flows. Such models are generally large, require substantial computer speed and capacity, and can be expected to be used in the final design stages, with the simpler models being used in the early design iterations. Emphasis is given to practical modeling methods that have been applied to the acoustical design problem in turbofan engines. The mathematical model is established and the simplest case of propagation in a duct with hard walls is solved to introduce concepts and terminologies. An extensive overview is given of methods for the calculation of attenuation in uniform ducts with uniform flow and with shear flow. Subsequent sections deal with numerical techniques which provide an integrated representation of duct propagation and near- and far-field radiation for realistic geometries and flight conditions.

Eversman, Walter↗

Design and performance of duct acoustic treatment

The procedure for designing acoustic treatment panels used to line the walls of aircraft engine ducts and for estimating the resulting suppression of turbofan engine duct noise is discussed. This procedure is intended to be used for estimating noise suppression of existing designs or for designing new acoustic treatment panels and duct configurations to achieve desired suppression levels.

Motsinger, R. E.↗

Far-field noise and internal modes from a ducted propeller at simulated aircraft takeoff conditions

The ducted propeller offers structural and acoustic benefits typical of conventional turbofan engines while retaining much of the aeroacoustic benefits of the unducted propeller. A model Advanced Ducted Propeller (ADP) was tested in the NASA Lewis Low-Speed Anechoic Wind Tunnel at a simulated takeoff velocity of Mach 0.2. The ADP model was designed and manufactured by the Pratt and Whitney Division of United Technologies. The 16-blade rotor ADP was tested with 22- and 40-vane stators to achieve cut-on and cut-off criterion with respect to propagation of the fundamental rotor-stator interaction tone. Additional test parameters included three inlet lengths, three nozzle sizes, two spinner configurations, and two rotor rub strip configurations. The model was tested over a range of rotor blade setting angles and propeller axis angles-of-attack. Acoustic data were taken with a sideline translating microphone probe and with a unique inlet microphone probe which identified inlet rotating acoustic modes. The beneficial acoustic effects of cut-off were clearly demonstrated. A 5 dB fundamental tone reduction was associated with the long inlet and 40-vane sector, which may relate to inlet duct geometry. The fundamental tone level was essentially unaffected by propeller axis angle-of-attack at rotor speeds of at least 96 percent design.

Woodward, Richard P.↗

Inlets, ducts, and nozzles

The internal fluid mechanics research program in inlets, ducts, and nozzles consists of a balanced effort between the development of computational tools (both parabolized Navier-Stokes and full Navier-Stokes) and the conduct of experimental research. The experiments are designed to better understand the fluid flow physics, to develop new or improved flow models, and to provide benchmark quality data sets for validation of the computational methods. The inlet, duct, and nozzle research program is described according to three major classifications of flow phenomena: (1) highly 3-D flow fields; (2) shock-boundary-layer interactions; and (3) shear layer control. Specific examples of current and future elements of the research program are described for each of these phenomenon. In particular, the highly 3-D flow field phenomenon is highlighted by describing the computational and experimental research program in transition ducts having a round-to-rectangular area variation. In the case of shock-boundary-layer interactions, the specific details of research for normal shock-boundary-layer interactions are described. For shear layer control, research in vortex generators and the use of aerodynamic excitation for enhancement of the jet mixing process are described.

Abbott, John M.↗

Time-dependent aerodynamic analysis of ducted and unducted propfans at angle of attack

A three-dimensional unsteady aerodynamic analysis is described for predicting the time-dependent flow about ducted and unducted propfans operating at angle of attack. Although the freestream is assumed to be uniform, the flow relative to the rotating blades varies with circumferential position, resulting in an inherent unsteadiness due to the nonaxial inflow. The time-dependent Euler equations are solved utilizing a Runge-Kutta time-stepping scheme. The analysis is based on a finite-volume discretization employing a multiple-block grid network. To permit the use of large calculation time steps, an implicit residual smoothing scheme previously tested for unsteady flow calculations in two dimensions is extended to three spatial dimensions. For unducted propfans, a single H-type grid block is used for each blade passage to determine the time-periodic flowfield. For ducted propfans (ultra-high bypass fans) a body-centered C-type grid is wrapped about the cowl to improve the accuracy of the analysis in the high gradient flow region near the cowl leading edge. Numerical results are compared with available data for both ducted and unducted propfans operating at angle of attack.

Hall, Edward J.↗

An unsteady Euler scheme for the analysis of ducted propellers

An efficient unsteady solution procedure has been developed for analyzing inviscid unsteady flow past ducted propeller configurations. This scheme is first order accurate in time and second order accurate in space. The solution procedure has been applied to a ducted propeller consisting of an 8-bladed SR7 propeller with a duct of NACA 0003 airfoil cross section around it, operating in a steady axisymmetric flowfield. The variation of elemental blade loading with radius, compares well with other published numerical results.

Srivastava, R.↗

Waves and thermodynamics in high Mach number propulsive ducts

The propulsive effects of waves in ducts, especially at high Mach numbers, are investigated, focusing on drag and thrust and on the conversion of heat into waves which produce thrust. It is shown that essentially all of the work done by an expanding fluid passing through a duct at high Mach number is delivered in the form of waves, and that duct surface angles exist that are optimum for the production of thrust from a wave. The effects of wave phenomena on drag and thrust are considered by extending the concept of a Busemann biplane into that of a 'Busemann scramjet, taking 'off-design' performance into account. An idealized model of a streamtube with heat addition is developed, and flow mechanisms involved in generating thrust by the expansion of this streamtube in an exhaust nozzle are examined.

Stalker, R. J.↗

An experimental investigation of S-duct flow control using arrays of low-profile vortex generators

An experimental investigation was undertaken to measure the effect of various configurations of low-profile vortex generator arrays on the flow in a diffusing S-duct. Three parameters that characterize the vortex generator array were systematically varied to determine their effect: (1) the vortex generator height; (2) the streamwise location of the vortex generator array; and (3) the vortex generator spacing. Detailed measurements of total pressure at the duct exit, surface static pressure, and surface flow visualization were gathered for each vortex generator configuration. These results are reported here along with total pressure recovery and distortion coefficients determined from the experimental data. Each array of vortex generators tested improved total pressure recovery. The configuration employing the largest vortex generators was the most effective in reducing total pressure recovery. No configuration of vortex generators completely eliminated the flow separation that naturally occurs in the S-duct, however the extent of the separated flow region was reduced.

Reichert, Bruce A.↗

Film condensation in a horizontal rectangular duct

Condensation heat transfer in a horizontal rectangular duct was experimentally and analytically investigated. To prevent the dripping of condensate on the film, the experiment was conducted inside a horizontal rectangular duct with vapor condensing only on the bottom cooled plate of the duct. R-113 and FC-72 (Fluorinert Electronic Fluid developed by the 3M Company) were used as the condensing fluids. The experimental program included measurements of film thickness, local and average heat transfer coefficients, wave length, wave speed, and a study of wave initiation. The measured film thickness was used to obtain the local heat transfer coefficient. The wave initiation was studied both with condensation and with an adiabatic air-liquid flow. The test sections used in both experiments were identical.

Lu, Qing↗

Investigation of advanced counterrotation blade configuration concepts for high speed turboprop systems. Task 5: Unsteady counterrotation ducted propfan analysis. Computer program user's manual

The primary objective of this study was the development of a time-marching three-dimensional Euler/Navier-Stokes aerodynamic analysis to predict steady and unsteady compressible transonic flows about ducted and unducted propfan propulsion systems employing multiple blade rows. The computer codes resulting from this study are referred to as ADPAC-AOACR (Advanced Ducted Propfan Analysis Codes-Angle of Attack Coupled Row). This report is intended to serve as a computer program user's manual for the ADPAC-AOACR codes developed under Task 5 of NASA Contract NAS3-25270, Unsteady Counterrotating Ducted Propfan Analysis. The ADPAC-AOACR program is based on a flexible multiple blocked grid discretization scheme permitting coupled 2-D/3-D mesh block solutions with application to a wide variety of geometries. For convenience, several standard mesh block structures are described for turbomachinery applications. Aerodynamic calculations are based on a four-stage Runge-Kutta time-marching finite volume solution technique with added numerical dissipation. Steady flow predictions are accelerated by a multigrid procedure. Numerical calculations are compared with experimental data for several test cases to demonstrate the utility of this approach for predicting the aerodynamics of modern turbomachinery configurations employing multiple blade rows.

Hall, Edward J.↗

Investigation of advanced counterrotation blade configuration concepts for high speed turboprop systems. Task 5: Unsteady counterrotation ducted propfan analysis

The primary objective of this study was the development of a time-marching three-dimensional Euler/Navier-Stokes aerodynamic analysis to predict steady and unsteady compressible transonic flows about ducted and unducted propfan propulsion systems employing multiple blade rows. The computer codes resulting from this study are referred to as ADPAC-AOAR\CR (Advanced Ducted Propfan Analysis Codes-Angle of Attack Coupled Row). This document is the final report describing the theoretical basis and analytical results from the ADPAC-AOACR codes developed under task 5 of NASA Contract NAS3-25270, Unsteady Counterrotating Ducted Propfan Analysis. The ADPAC-AOACR Program is based on a flexible multiple blocked grid discretization scheme permitting coupled 2-D/3-D mesh block solutions with application to a wide variety of geometries. For convenience, several standard mesh block structures are described for turbomachinery applications. Aerodynamic calculations are based on a four-stage Runge-Kutta time-marching finite volume solution technique with added numerical dissipation. Steady flow predictions are accelerated by a multigrid procedure. Numerical calculations are compared with experimental data for several test cases to demonstrate the utility of this approach for predicting the aerodynamics of modern turbomachinery configurations employing multiple blade rows.

Hall, Edward J.↗

Combined forced and free convection in a curved duct

The purpose of this study is to investigate the flow and heat transfer characteristics of a combined forced and free convection flow in a curved duct. Solutions are obtained by solving the low Mach number model of the Navier-Stokes equation using a control volume method. The finite-volume method was developed with the use of a predictor-corrector numerical scheme and some new variations of the classical projection method. Solutions indicated that the existence of a buoyancy force has changed the entire flow structure inside a curved duct. Reversed flow at both inner and outer bend is observed. For moderate Reynolds number, the upstream section of the duct was significantly influenced by the free convection processes. In general, heat transfer is strong at the inner bend of the beginning of the heated section and at the outer bend on the last half of the heated section. The maximum velocity location is strongly influenced by the combined effects of buoyancy and centrifugal forces. A strong buoyancy force can reduce the strength of the secondary flow where it plays an important role in mixing.

Yam, Clement G.↗

A comparative study of Full Navier-Stokes and Reduced Navier-Stokes analyses for separating flows within a diffusing inlet S-duct

A three-dimensional implicit Full Navier-Stokes (FNS) analysis and a 3D Reduced Navier Stokes (RNS) initial value space marching solution technique has been applied to a class of separated flow problems within a diffusing S-duct configuration characterized by vortex-liftoff. Both the FNS and the RNS solution technique were able to capture the overall flow physics of vortex lift-off, and gave remarkably similar results which agreed reasonably well with the experimental measured averaged performance parameters of engine face total pressure recovery and distortion. However, the Full Navier-Stokes and Reduced Navier-Stokes also consistently predicted separation further downstream in the M2129 inlet S-duct than was indicated by experimental data, thus compensating errors were present in the two Navier-Stokes analyses. The difficulties encountered in the Navier-Stokes separations analyses of the M2129 inlet S-duct center primarily on turbulence model issues, and these focused on two distinct but different phenomena, namely, (1) characterization of low skin friction adverse pressure gradient flows, and (2) description of the near wall behavior of flows characterized by vortex lift-off.

Anderson, B. H.↗

High-speed Tests of a Ducted Body with Various Air-outlet Openings

Test of a ducted body with Internal flow were made in the 8-foot high-speed wind tunnel for the purpose of studying the effects on external drag and an critical speed of the addition of efficient inlet and outlet openings to a basic streamline shape. Drag tests of a 13.6- inch-diameter streamline body of fineness ratio 6.14 were made at Mach numbers ranging from 0.20 to 0.75. The model was centrally mounted on a 9-percent-thick airfoil and was designed to have an efficient airfoil-body juncture and a high critical speed. An air inlet at the nose and various outlets at the tail were added: drag and internal-flow data were obtained over the given speed range. The critical speed of the ducted bodies was found to be as high as that of the streamline body. The external - drag with air flow through the body did not exceed the drag of the basic streamline shape. No appreciable variation in the efficiency of the diffuser section of the internal duct occurred throughout the Mach number range of the tests.

Becker, John V.↗