Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “INLET FLOW”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5

Summary of recent investigations of inlet flow distortion effects on engine stability

A review is presented of recent experimental results, analytical procedures and test techniques employed to evaluate the effects of inlet flow distortion on the stability characteristics of representative afterburning turbofan and turbojet compression systems. Circumferential distortions of pressure and temperature, separately and in combination, are considered. Resulting engine sensitivity measurements are compared with predictions based on simplified parallel compressor models and with several distortion descriptor parameters.

Graber, E. J., Jr.↗

Inlet Flow Valve Engine Analyses

Pratt&Whitney, under Task Order 13 of the NASA Large Engine Technology (LET) Contract, conducted a study to determine the operating characteristics, performance and weights of Inlet Flow Valve (IFV) propulsion concepts for a Mach 2.4 High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT).

Champagne, G. A.↗

Calculation of two-dimensional inlet flow fields in a supersonic free stream by an implicit marching code with nonorthogonal mesh generation: User's manual

An implicit, shock-capturing finite-difference code which is used to calculate two-dimensional inlet flow fields in a supersonic free stream is explained. The Euler equations are subjected to general nonorthogonal transformation and a body-fitted coordinate system is employed. The mathematical formulation of the problem is given along with the numerical algorithm. Initial and boundary conditions, numerical stability, program limitations, and accuracy is discussed. An overall program logic as well as instructions for program use and operation are also furnished.

Biringen, S. H.↗

Three dimensional aerodynamics of an annular cascade in a non-uniform inlet flow

Three-dimensional viscous and inviscid numerical analyses are currently being developed to predict the complex flow through turbomachine blade passages. To be of value to the designer, these numerical solutions must be evaluated and subsequent refinements directed by correlating predicted flow fields with data obtained from experiments which model the fundamental three-dimensional flow phenomena inherent in blade rows. This paper describes a series of experiments to provide such data. In particular, the effect of a potential and a rotational inlet flow field on the detailed three-dimensional aerodynamic performance of an extensively instrumented cambered airfoil cascade has been determined at two levels of aerodynamic loading. Data presented quantify the pressure and suction surface static pressure chordwise distributions on the hub, mean, and tip streamlines; the velocity distribution in the cascade aft-passage region; and the cascade exit region flow field. Appropriate data are correlated with predictions.

Manwaring, S. R.↗

Inlet Flow Control and Prediction Technologies for Embedded Propulsion Systems

Fail-safe, hybrid, flow control (HFC) is a promising technology for meeting high-speed cruise efficiency, low-noise signature, and reduced fuel-burn goals for future, Hybrid-Wing-Body (HWB) aircraft with embedded engines. This report details the development of HFC technology that enables improved inlet performance in HWB vehicles with highly integrated inlets and embedded engines without adversely affecting vehicle performance. In addition, new test techniques for evaluating Boundary-Layer-Ingesting (BLI)-inlet flow-control technologies developed and demonstrated through this program are documented, including the ability to generate a BLI-like inlet-entrance flow in a direct-connect, wind-tunnel facility, as well as, the use of D-optimal, statistically designed experiments to optimize test efficiency and enable interpretation of results. Validated improvements in numerical analysis tools and methods accomplished through this program are also documented, including Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes CFD simulations of steady-state flow physics for baseline, BLI-inlet diffuser flow, as well as, that created by flow-control devices. Finally, numerical methods were employed in a ground-breaking attempt to directly simulate dynamic distortion. The advances in inlet technologies and prediction tools will help to meet and exceed "N+2" project goals for future HWB aircraft.

McMillan, Michelle L.↗

Navier-Stokes simulation of inlet flow fields-experimental verification

The objectives were to develop a state-of-the-art numerical capability for the prediction of internal and external flow fields, validate the Navier-Stokes solution for internal flows, treat realistic diffuser inlet systems, and provide a technical base for inlet system design. Progress is reported in viewgraph form.

Chyu, Wei J.↗

Effect of Steady-State Temperature Distortion on Inlet Flow to a High-Bypass-Ratio Turbofan Engine

The effects of circumferential inlet temperature distortion on the flow characteristics between a distortion generator and a high bypass ratio turbofan engine and through its compression system were evaluated to support the effort to generate analytical models. The flow characteristics are defined by the inlet duct, the flow angles, and the total temperature, total pressure, and static pressure profiles in the inlet duct and through the fan and compressor. The effects of Reynolds number, rotor speed, and distortion extent are also considered.

Soeder, R. H.↗

A pressure flux-split technique for computation of inlet flow behavior

A method for calculating the flow field in aircraft engine inlets is presented. The phenomena of inlet unstart and restart are investigated. Solutions of the reduced Navier-Stokes (RNS) equations are obtained with a time consistent direct sparse matrix solver that computes the transient flow field both internal and external to the inlet. Time varying shocks and time varying recirculation regions can be efficiently analyzed. The code is quite general and is suitable for the computation of flow for a wide variety of geometries and over a wide range of Mach and Reynolds numbers.

Pordal, H. S.↗

Experimental Measurement of Transonic Fan Wake Response to Uniform and Simulated Boundary Layer Ingesting Inlet Flows

BWB Aircraft with embedded engines and BLI inlets offer attractive advantages in terms of reduced noise from engines and increased range and fuel economy. The BLI inlet produces inlet distortion patterns that can reduce fan performance and stall margin, and can produce undesirable forced responses. Knowledge of the dynamic response of fan flow when subjected to flow distortions of the type produced by BLI inlets is important for the design of distortion tolerant fans. This project is investigating fan response to flow distortion by measuring the response of the fan of a JT15D engine to a flow pattern following the results of the NASA Inlet A BLI wind tunnel tests.

O'Brien, Walter F.↗

A flux-split solution procedure for unsteady inlet flows

The unstart and restart of an axisymmetric inlet is investigated using a flux-split procedure applied to the Euler and Reduced Navier Stokes (RNS) equations. A time consistent direct sparse matrix solver is applied to compute the transient flow field both internal and external to the inlet. Time varying oblique and normal shocks are captured. The code is quite general and is applicable for subsonic, transonic and supersonic free streams. The current analysis is concerned with supersonic flight conditions.

Pordal, H. S.↗

Boundary-Layer-Ingesting Inlet Flow Control

An experimental study was conducted to provide the first demonstration of an active flow control system for a flush-mounted inlet with significant boundary-layer-ingestion in transonic flow conditions. The effectiveness of the flow control in reducing the circumferential distortion at the engine fan-face location was assessed using a 2.5%-scale model of a boundary-layer-ingesting offset diffusing inlet. The inlet was flush mounted to the tunnel wall and ingested a large boundary layer with a boundary-layer-to-inlet height ratio of 35%. Different jet distribution patterns and jet mass flow rates were used in the inlet to control distortion. A vane configuration was also tested. Finally a hybrid vane/jet configuration was tested leveraging strengths of both types of devices. Measurements were made of the onset boundary layer, the duct surface static pressures, and the mass flow rates through the duct and the flow control actuators. The distortion and pressure recovery were measured at the aerodynamic interface plane. The data show that control jets and vanes reduce circumferential distortion to acceptable levels. The point-design vane configuration produced higher distortion levels at off-design settings. The hybrid vane/jet flow control configuration reduced the off-design distortion levels to acceptable ones and used less than 0.5% of the inlet mass flow to supply the jets.

Owens, Lewis R.↗

Boundary-layer-ingesting inlet flow control system

A system for reducing distortion at the aerodynamic interface plane of a boundary-layer-ingesting inlet using a combination of active and passive flow control devices is disclosed. Active flow control jets and vortex generating vanes are used in combination to reduce distortion across a range of inlet operating conditions. Together, the vortex generating vanes can reduce most of the inlet distortion and the active flow control jets can be used at a significantly reduced control jet mass flow rate to make sure the inlet distortion stays low as the inlet mass flow rate varies. Overall inlet distortion, measured and described as average SAE circumferential distortion descriptor, was maintained at a value of 0.02 or less. Advantageous arrangements and orientations of the active flow control jets and the vortex generating vanes were developed using computational fluid dynamics simulations and wind tunnel experimentations.

Owens, Lewis R.↗

Effect of steady-state pressure distortion on inlet flow to a high-bypass-ratio turbofan engine

Static pressure and total pressure distributions were measured in the inlet duct upstream of the engine inlet and within the fan and compressor of a YTF34 turbofan engine. In addition, the free stream flow angle was measured between the distortion generator and the engine inlet. Distortions were generated using three screen configurations with extents of 90 deg or 180 deg. The screens were mounted on a rotatable screen assembly. Reynolds number index upstream of the distortion device was maintained at 0.5 or 0.2, and engine fan speed corrected to station 2 temperature was maintained at 80 or 90 percent of rated condition (7005 rpm). Flow angle was nearly constant near the distortion device and increased as flow approached the engine inlet. The largest flow angle occurred in the hub region of the engine inlet. Static pressure distortion along the inlet duct increased exponentially as the flow approached the engine. Both static pressure and total pressure distortions were attenuated between engine inlet and compressor exit.

Soeder, R. H.↗

Inlet flow test calibration for a small axial compressor rig. Part 2: CFD compared with experimental results

An axial compressor test rig has been designed for the operation of small turbomachines. A flow test was run to calibrate and determine the source and magnitudes of the loss mechanisms in the compressor inlet for a highly loaded two-stage axial compressor test. Several flow conditions and inlet guide vane (IGV) angle settings were established, for which detailed surveys were completed. Boundary layer bleed was also provided along the casing of the inlet behind the support struts and ahead of the IGV. Several computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations were made for selected flow conditions established during the test. Good agreement between the CFD and test data were obtained for these test conditions.

Miller, D. P.↗