Comprehensive Review & Enhancements on Probe Substitution Techniques for Faulty Steady State Inlet Pressure Distortion Data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mithilesh Rajendrakumar ◽  
Manu Vyas ◽  
Prashant Deshpande ◽  
Bommaian Balasubramanian ◽  
Kevin Shepherd

Abstract When a gas-turbine engine is in operation, inlet-generated total-pressure distortion can have a detrimental effect on engine’s stability and performance. During the product development life cycle, on-ground wind tunnel tests and in-flight tests are performed to estimate the inlet distortion characteristics. Extensive measures are taken in the preparation and execution of inlet distortion tests. The data pertaining to spatial inlet distortion is recorded using an array of high-response total-pressure probes. The pressure probes are usually arranged in rake and ring arrays as per AIR1419. The data from these probes is used by propulsion system designers to address the effects of inlet distortion on stability and performance, particularly the engine’s sensitivity to inlet distortion. In some instances, the probes can produce inaccurate measurements or no measurements at all, due to a variety of reasons. This may result in a time consuming and costly process of repeating the test. To avoid this, the inaccurate or invalid measurements can be substituted using a variety of statistical techniques during test data post-processing. This paper discusses the results of different interpolation techniques to substitute invalid steady-state total-pressure measurements, evaluated in the context of classical distortion profile data available in AIR1419. The techniques include 1D linear interpolation using only probes data from adjacent rings, 1D linear interpolation using only probes data from adjacent rakes, and bilinear interpolation using probes data from adjacent rings and rakes. Furthermore, the paper evaluates a bilinear interpolation technique with optimal weights obtained from linear regression, that enhances the estimation of invalid pressure values.

Author(s):  
Daniel R. Soderquist ◽  
Andrew D. Orme ◽  
Steven E. Gorrell ◽  
Michael G. List

Abstract Understanding distortion transfer and generation through fan and compressor blade rows is able to assist in blade design and performance prediction. Using full annulus URANS simulations, the effects of distortion as it passes through the rotor of a transonic fan at five radial locations (10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90% span) are analyzed. The inlet distortion profile is a 90-degree sector with a 15% total pressure deficit. Fourier distortion descriptors are used in this study to quantitatively describe distortion transfer and generation. Results are presented and compared for three operating points (near-stall, design, and choke). These results are used to explain the relationship between inlet total pressure distortion, pressure-induced swirl, total pressure distortion transfer, total temperature distortion generation, and circumferential rotor power variation. It is shown that very large changes in pressure-induced swirl and distortion transfer and generation occur between near-stall and design, but only small changes are seen between design and choke. The greatest changes are shown to be near the tip. Local power variations are shown to correlate with total pressure distortion transfer and total temperature distortion generation.


Author(s):  
A. Naseri ◽  
M. Boroomand ◽  
A. M. Tousi ◽  
A. R. Alihosseini

This paper concerns investigating effect of inlet flow distortion on performance of a micro-jet engine. An experimental study has been carried out to determine how the steady state inlet total-pressure distortion affects the performance of a micro gas turbine engine. An inlet simulator is designed and developed to produce and measure distortion patterns at the engine inlet. An Air Jet Distortion Generator is used to produce non-uniform flow patterns and total pressure probes are implemented to measure steady state total pressure distribution at the engine face. A set of wind tunnel tests has been performed to confirm the fidelity of distortion generator and measuring devices. The engine got exposed to inlet flow with 60-degree, 120-degree, and 180-degree circumferential distortion patterns with different distortion intensities and the engine performance have been measured and compared with that of clean inlet flow. Results indicate that engine performance can be affected significantly facing with intense inlet distortions.


Author(s):  
Nicholas Fredrick ◽  
Milt Davis

Serpentine ducts used by both military and commercial aircraft can generate significant flow angularity and total pressure distortion at the engine face. Most low by-pass ratio turbofan engines with mixed exhaust are equipped with inlet guide vanes (IGV) which can reduce the effect of moderate inlet distortion. High by-pass ratio and some low by-pass ratio turbofan engines are not equipped with IGVs, and swirl can in effect change the angle of attack of the fan blades. Swirl and total pressure distortion at the engine inlet will impact engine performance, operability, and durability. The impact on the engine performance and operability must be quantified to ensure safe operation of the aircraft and propulsion system. Testing is performed at a limited number of discrete points inside the propulsion system flight envelope where it is believed the engine is most sensitive to the inlet distortion in order to quantify these effects. Turbine engine compressor models are based on the limited amount of experimental data collected during testing. These models can be used as an analysis tool to improve the effectiveness of engine testing and to improve understanding of engine response to inlet distortion. The Dynamic Turbine Engine Compressor Code (DYNTECC) utilizes parallel compressor theory and quasi-one-dimensional Euler equations to determine compressor performance. In its standard form, DYNTECC uses user supplied characteristic stage maps in order to calculate stage forces and shaft work for use in the momentum and energy equations. These maps were typically developed using experimental data or created using characteristic codes such as the 1-D Mean Line Code (MLC) or the 2-D Streamline Curvature Code. The MLC was created to calculate the performance of individual compressor stages and requires less computational effort than the 2-D and 3-D models. To improve efficiency and accuracy, the MLC has been incorporated into DYNTECC as a subroutine. Rather than independently developing stage maps using the MLC and then importing these maps into DYNTECC, DYNTECC can now use the MLC to develop the required stage characteristic for the desired operating point. This will reduce time and complexity required to analyze the effects of inlet swirl on compressor performance. The combined DYNTECC/MLC was used in the past to model total pressure distortion. This paper presents the result obtained using the combined DYNTECC/MLC to model the effects of various types of inlet swirl on F109 fan performance and operability for the first time.


Author(s):  
Werner Jahnen ◽  
Thomas Peters ◽  
Leonhard Fottner

Unsteady measurements of the flow and performance of a high speed 5-stage HP compressor have been carried out at different speeds under undistorted conditions and with swirl and total pressure inlet distortions. Distributions of incidence and diffusion factor have been derived from the test data which, together with hot-wire measurements of stall inception, provide new insights into the onset of stall with inlet distortion. A stall cell initiates as a disturbance in the distorted flow sector, which may decay as it passes through the undistorted sector. Stall inception occurs only when the damping of the disturbance in the undistorted sector is insufficient to prevail its growth. As this damping depends on the size of the disturbance, the Parallel Compressor model, based on the linear stability properties of the undistorted compressor alone, is unable to predict the stall inception with inlet distortion.


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiří Pečinka ◽  
Gabriel Thomas Bugajski ◽  
Petr Kmoch ◽  
Adolf Jílek

Total pressure distortion is one of the three basic flow distortions (total pressure, total temperature and swirl distortion) that might appear at the inlet of a gas turbine engine (GTE) during operation. Different numerical parameters are used for assessing the total pressure distortion intensity and extent. These summary descriptors are based on the distribution of total pressure in the aerodynamic interface plane. There are two descriptors largely spread around the world, however, three or four others are still in use and can be found in current references. The staff at the University of Defence decided to compare the most common descriptors using basic flow distortion patterns in order to select the most appropriate descriptor for future department research. The most common descriptors were identified based on their prevalence in widely accessible publications. The construction and use of these descriptors are reviewed in the paper. Subsequently, they are applied to radial, angular, and combined distortion patterns of different intensities and with varied mass flow rates. The tests were performed on a specially designed test bench using an electrically driven standalone industrial centrifugal compressor, sucking air through the inlet of a TJ100 small turbojet engine. Distortion screens were placed into the inlet channel to create the desired total pressure distortions. Of the three basic distortions, only the total pressure distortion descriptors were evaluated. However, both total and static pressures were collected using a multi probe rotational measurement system.


Author(s):  
Milt Davis ◽  
Alan Hale ◽  
Dave Beale

The current high-performance aircraft development programs, and the trends in research and development activities suggest a rapidly increasing level of aircraft subsystem integration, particularly between the airframe/inlet and the propulsion system. Traditionally these subsystems have been designed, analyzed, and tested as isolated systems. The interaction between the subsystems is modeled primarily through evaluating inlet distortion in an inlet test and simulating this distortion in engine tests via screens or similar devices. For the current test methodology, the environment that is supplied by the inlet is simulated by the imposition of total pressure profiles at the aerodynamic interface plane (AIP). Unsteady or transient variation in total pressure is generally not considered to be important. In addition, angular flow, commonly called swirl, is also not considered important enough to be simulated. In the current paper, an overview of current techniques for inlet performance, distortion characterization, and engine distortion testing is presented. A numerical study was conducted on a single high-speed rotor to qualify potential effects on stability and performance and to support the concept that dynamic distortion and swirl may have large enough effects to affect the experimentally determined stability limit. This paper reports a numerical investigation using a 3D compression system simulation that supports the enhancement of the existing methodology to include the effects of time-dependent distortion and swirl effects. Based upon both experimental and numerical evidence, AEDC has embarked on efforts to develop inlet simulator technologies directed toward future airframe-propulsion integration requirements. This paper presents issues that require advancements in the simulation of inlet distortion techniques for direct-connect turbine engine tests.


2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milt Davis ◽  
Alan Hale ◽  
Dave Beale

The current high-performance aircraft development programs, and the trends in research and development activities suggest a rapidly increasing level of aircraft subsystem integration, particularly between the airframe/inlet and the propulsion system. Traditionally, these subsystems have been designed, analyzed, and tested as isolated systems. The interaction between the subsystems is modeled primarily through evaluating inlet distortion in an inlet test and simulating this distortion in engine tests via screens or similar devices. For the current test methodology, the environment that is supplied by the inlet is simulated by the imposition of total pressure profiles at the aerodynamic interface plane (AIP). Unsteady or transient variation in total pressure is generally not considered to be important. In addition, angular flow, commonly called swirl, is also not considered important enough to be simulated. In the current paper, an overview of current techniques for inlet performance, distortion characterization, and engine distortion testing is presented. A numerical study was conducted on a single high-speed rotor to qualify potential effects on stability and performance and to support the concept that dynamic distortion and swirl may have large enough effects to affect the experimentally determined stability limit. This paper reports a numerical investigation using a 3-D compression system simulation that supports the enhancement of the existing methodology to include the effects of time-dependent distortion and swirl effects. Based upon both experimental and numerical evidence, AEDC has embarked on efforts to develop inlet simulator technologies directed toward future airframe-propulsion integration requirements. This paper presents issues that require advancements in the simulation of inlet distortion techniques for direct-connect turbine engine tests.


Author(s):  
Yu. A. Ezrokhi ◽  
E. A. Khoreva

The paper considers techniques to develop a mathematical model using a method of «parallel compressors». The model is intended to estimate the impact of the air inlet distortion on the primary parameters of the aero-engine.  The paper presents rated estimation results in the context of twin spool turbofan design for two typical cruiser modes of flight of the supersonic passenger jet. In estimation the base values σbase and the average values of the inlet ram recovery σave remained invariable. Thus, parametrical calculations were performed for each chosen relative value of the area of low-pressure region.The paper shows that an impact degree of the inlet distortion on the engine thrust for two modes under consideration is essentially different. In other words, if in the subsonic mode the impact assessment can be confined only to taking into account the influence of decreasing average values of the inlet total pressure, the use of such an assumption in the supersonic cruiser mode may result in considerable errors.With invariable values of the pressure recovery factor at the engine intake, which correspond to the speed of flight for a typical air inlet of external compression σbase, and average value σave, a parameter Δσuneven  has the main effect on the engine thrust, and degree of this effect essentially depends on a difference between σave and σbase values.


Actuators ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Guoliang Hu ◽  
Feng Zhou ◽  
Lifan Yu

The main issue addressed in this paper involves the magnetorheological (MR) valve increasing the pressure drop by changing the internal structure, which leads to the increase of dimension sizes and the easy blocking of the internal channel. Optimizing the design of the traditional radial MR valve without changing the internal structure and whole dimension size is indispensable. Firstly, a radial MR valve with single excitation coil was proposed. The mathematical models of the field-dependent pressure drop and viscosity pressure drop in fluid flow channels were deduced, and the calculation formula of pressure drop was also established. Then, ANSYS software was used to simulate and analyze the distributions of the magnetic flux lines and magnetic flux densities of the proposed radial MR valve. Subsequently, the radial MR valve was simulated and analyzed by using the ANSYS first-order and zero-order simulation tools. In addition, the experimental test bench of the proposed MR valve was setup, the static performance of pressure drop was tested, and the change of pressure drop of the optimal radial MR valve under different loads was studied, furthermore, the response time with current of the initial and optimal radial MR valve were also investigated. Finally, the dynamic performances of the optimal radial MR valve controlled cylinder system under different currents, frequencies and amplitudes were tested, respectively. The experimental results indicate that the total pressure drop of the initial valve is 1.842 MPa when the applied current is 1.8 A, and the total pressure drop of the optimal valve is 2.58 MPa, the increase is 40.07%. Meanwhile, the maximum damping force of the optimal radial MR valve controlled cylinder system can reach about 3.6 kN at the current of 1.25 A, which shows a better optimization effect of the optimal radial MR valve.


Author(s):  
R B Anand ◽  
L Rai ◽  
S N Singh

The effect of the turning angle on the flow and performance characteristics of long S-shaped circular diffusers (length-inlet diameter ratio, L/Di = 11:4) having an area ratio of 1.9 and centre-line length of 600 mm has been established. The experiments are carried out for three S-shaped circular diffusers having angles of turn of 15°/15°, 22.5°/22.5° and 30°/30°. Velocity, static pressure and total pressure distributions at different planes along the length of the diffusers are measured using a five-hole impact probe. The turbulence intensity distribution at the same planes is also measured using a normal hot-wire probe. The static pressure recovery coefficients for 15°/15°, 22.5°/22.5° and 30°/30° diffusers are evaluated as 0.45, 0.40 and 0.35 respectively, whereas the ideal static pressure recovery coefficient is 0.72. The low performance is attributed to the generation of secondary flows due to geometrical curvature and additional losses as a result of the high surface roughness (~0.5 mm) of the diffusers. The pressure recovery coefficient of these circular test diffusers is comparatively lower than that of an S-shaped rectangular diffuser of nearly the same area ratio, even with a larger turning angle (90°/90°), i.e. 0.53. The total pressure loss coefficient for all the diffusers is nearly the same and seems to be independent of the angle of turn. The flow distribution is more uniform at the exit for the higher angle of turn diffusers.


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