Performance Evaluation of an S-Duct Diffuser of a Flight-Vehicle Inlet in High-Subsonic Flow

Author(s):  
Asad Asghar ◽  
Robert A. Stowe ◽  
William D. E. Allan ◽  
Derrick Alexander

The characteristic aerodynamics of inlets in a fuselage-embedded propulsion system of an air-vehicle vary from one configuration to other, making it necessary to document the performance of each and every type of inlet in various flight conditions. This paper focuses on the internal performance evaluation of a baseline S-duct diffuser for a future parametric investigation of a generic S-duct inlet. The generic baseline was a rectangular-entrance, transitioning S-duct diffuser in high subsonic (Mach number > 0.8) flow. The test section was manufactured using rapid prototyping for facilitating a future parametric investigation of geometry. Streamwise static pressure and exit-plane total pressure were measured in a test-rig using surface pressure taps and a 5-probe rotating rake, respectively and was simulated through computational fluid dynamics. The investigation indicated the presence of streamwise and circumferential pressure gradients leading to three dimensional flow in the S-duct diffuser and distortion at the exit plane. Total pressure losses and circumferential and radial distortions at the exit plane were higher than that of the podded nacelle type of inlet. The work represents the beginning of the development of a database for the performance of a particular type of generic inlet. This database will be useful for predicting the performance of aero-engines and air vehicles in high subsonic flight.

Author(s):  
Asad Asghar ◽  
Robert A. Stowe ◽  
William D. E. Allan ◽  
Derrick Alexander

This paper reports the internal performance evaluation of S-duct diffusers with different entrance aspect ratios as part of an ongoing parametric investigation of a generic S-duct inlet. The generic S-duct diffusers were a rectangular-entrance (aspect ratio 1.5 and 2.0) transitioning S-duct diffuser in high subsonic (Mach number > 0.8) flow. The test section was manufactured using rapid prototyping for facilitating the parametric investigation of the geometry. Streamwise static pressure and exit-plane total pressure were measured in a test-rig using surface pressure taps and a 5-probe rotating rake, respectively and the baseline and a variant was simulated through computational fluid dynamics. The investigation indicated the presence of streamwise and circumferential pressure gradients leading to a three dimensional flow in the S-duct diffuser and distortion at the exit plane. The static pressure recovery increased for the diffuser with higher aspect ratio. Total pressure losses and circumferential and radial distortions at the exit plane were higher than that of the podded nacelle type of inlet. The increase in the total pressure recovery was observed for the increase in the aspect ratio for the baseline area ratio (1.57) S-ducts, but without a clear trend for the other area ratio (1.8) ducts. The work represents the beginning of the development of a database for the performance of a particular type of generic inlet. This database will be useful for predicting the performance of aero-engines and air vehicles in high subsonic flight.


Author(s):  
Asad Asghar ◽  
Robert A. Stowe ◽  
William D. E. Allan ◽  
Derrick Alexander

This paper reports the internal performance evaluation of S-duct diffusers with different entrance aspect ratios as part of a parametric investigation of a generic S-duct inlet. The generic S-duct diffusers studied had a rectangular entrance (aspect ratios of 1.5 and 2.0) transitioning S-duct diffuser in high-subsonic (Mach number > 0.8) flow. The test section was manufactured using rapid prototyping to facilitate the parametric investigation of the geometry. Streamwise static pressure and exit-plane total pressure were measured in a test-rig using surface pressure taps and a five-probe rotating rake, respectively. The baseline and a variant were simulated through computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The investigation indicated the presence of streamwise and circumferential pressure gradients leading to a three-dimensional flow in the S-duct diffuser and to distortion at the exit plane. The static pressure recovery increased for the diffuser with the higher aspect ratio. Total pressure losses and circumferential and radial distortions at the exit plane were higher than that of the podded nacelle type of inlet. An increase in the total pressure recovery was observed for the increase in the aspect ratio for the baseline area ratio (1.57) S-ducts, but without a clear trend for the other area ratio (1.8) ducts. The work represents the development of a database on the performance of a particular type of generic inlet. This database will be useful for predicting the performance of aero-engines and air vehicles in high-subsonic flight.


Author(s):  
Dadong Zhou ◽  
Ting Wang ◽  
William R. Ryan

In the first part of a multipart project to analyze and optimize the complex three-dimensional diffuser-combustor section of a highly advanced industrial gas turbine under development, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysts has been conducted. The commercial FEA code I-DEAS was used to complete the three-dimensional solid modeling and the structured grid generation. The flow calculation was conducted using the commercial CFD code PHOENICS. The multiblock method was employed to enhance computational capabilities. The mechanisms of the total pressure losses and possible ways to enhance efficiency by reducing the total pressure losses were examined. Mechanisms that contribute to the nonuniform velocity distribution of flow entering the combustor were also identified. The CFD results were informative and provided insight to the complex flow patterns in the reverse flow dump diffuser, however, the results are qualitative and are useful primarily as guidelines for optimization as opposed to firm design configuration selections.


1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Ohkita ◽  
H. Kodama ◽  
O. Nozaki ◽  
K. Kikuchi ◽  
A. Tamura

A series of numerical and experimental studies have been conducted to understand the mechanism of loss generation in a high speed compressor stator with inlet radial shear flow over the span. In this study, numerical simulation is extensively used to investigate the complex three-dimensional flow in the cascades and to interpret the phenomena appeared in the high speed compressor tests. It has been shown that the inlet radial shear flow generated by upstream rotor had a significant influence on the stator secondary flow, and consequently on the total pressure loss. Redesign of the stator aiming at the reduction of loss by controlling secondary flow has been carried out and the resultant performance recovery was successfully demonstrated both numerically and experimentally.


Author(s):  
D. Bouchard ◽  
A. Asghar ◽  
J. Hardes ◽  
R. Edwards ◽  
W. D. E. Allan ◽  
...  

This paper addresses the issue of aerodynamic performance of a novel 3D leading edge modification to a reference vane. An analysis of tubercles found in nature and some engineering applications was used to synthesize new leading edge geometry. Three variations of the reference low pressure turbine vane were obtained by changing the characteristic parameters of the tubercles. Shock structure, surface flow visualization and total pressure measurements were made through experiments in a cascade rig, as well as through computational fluid dynamics. The tests were carried out at design zero incidence and off-design ±10-deg and ±5-deg incidences. The performance of the new 3D leading edge geometries was compared against the reference vane. Some leading edge tubercle configurations were effective at decreasing total pressure losses at positive inlet incidence angles. Numerical results supplemented experimental results.


Author(s):  
Reinaldo A. Gomes ◽  
Carsten Schwarz ◽  
Michael Pfitzner

Extensive experimental studies on axial compressor bleed-flow systems have been carried out on a three dimensional model of a generic bleed-flow configuration typical for aero engines. The compressor flow is modeled as a clean annular flow. One row of stator vanes is used to impart a constant swirl upstream of the bleed system. The rig is designed modularly in order to allow for inexpensive changes in all of its components and therefore to enlarge the variability of the model. The research is focused onto the generation of an experimental data base, which can be used to derive correlations for the calculation of effective areas and pressure losses. Those data are gained using steady pneumatic measurement technique. In addition, the highly complex flow field in the manifold, which has an important effect onto the bleed-flow, is analyzed using Doppler-Global-Velocimetry (DGV). These measurements were conducted in collaboration with DLR Cologne, who have developed the DGV technique. In this paper the flow field in the manifold is analyzed in detail for two different configurations featuring two and four bleed ducts, respectively. Furthermore the use of a flush design of the slot is compared with a lip design. These data are compared to results from the literature achieved using 2-dimensional configurations.


1980 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-103
Author(s):  
J. Martinon

The strong pressure gradients that take place in high performance transonic axial flow compressors induce important viscous interaction effects. In order to estimate these effects and to calculate the flow field in the inviscid core, the perfect gas approach is necessary. A three-dimensional stationary characteristic method is used for such an approach, and numerical results are given for the flow field in: • the blade channel of a supersonic cascade with converging side walls, • the blade channel of an annular supersonic cascade, • the inlet region of a linear supersonic blade cascade with converging side walls.


2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Henninghausen ◽  
Graham Candler ◽  
Gunnar Einarsson ◽  
Iain Boyd

1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-175
Author(s):  
Y. Ohkita ◽  
H. Kodama ◽  
O. Nozaki ◽  
K. Kikuchi ◽  
A. Tamura

A series of numerical and experimental studies have been conducted to understand the mechanism of loss generation in a high-speed compressor stator with inlet radial shear flow over the span. In this study, numerical simulation is extensively used to investigate the complex three-dimensional flow in the cascades and to interpret the phenomena that appeared in the high-speed compressor tests. It has been shown that the inlet radial shear flow generated by the upstream rotor had a significant influence on the stator secondary flow, and consequently on the total pressure loss. Redesign of the stator aiming at the reduction of loss by controlling secondary flow has been carried out and the resultant performance recovery was successfully demonstrated both numerically and experimentally.


Author(s):  
Shinji Honami ◽  
Keizo Tsukagoshi ◽  
Toshimichi Sakai ◽  
Ichiro Watanabe

Velocity profile measurements were performed on the flow in a mixed-flow diffuser with walls having equal cone angles. The aim of the present study is to understand the flow behavior and the relation between the flow patterns and the diffuser losses. The boundary layer flow accompanied by separation on the inner wall and the velocity normal to the diffuser walls were measured in detail to examine the three-dimensional flow behavior in the mixed-flow diffuser. Comparing with the radial diffuser, the mixed-flow diffuser had a more complicated flow mechanism as it had the pressure gradients of transverse and normal directions.


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