Generic placeholder image

Recent Patents on Mechanical Engineering

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 2212-7976
ISSN (Online): 1874-477X

Research Article

Flow Management in a Double-Offset, Transitional Twin Air-Intake at Different Inflow Conditions

Author(s): Yadav K.K. Rajnath, Akshoy R. Paul* and Anuj Jain

Volume 12, Issue 2, 2019

Page: [168 - 179] Pages: 12

DOI: 10.2174/2212797612666190422145940

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: Transitional twin air-intake is a vital component of the air-induction system of single-engine combat aircraft. Combat aircraft do not always fly at steady, uniform flow conditions. But in some cases, it operates at different asymmetric flow conditions, which cause a change in aerodynamic performance of aircraft components like compressor and combustor.

Objective: In order to improve the air quality at the outlet of air-intake- called Aerodynamic Inlet Plane (AIP) of this twin air-intake and to improve its aerodynamic performance for wide ranges of inflow conditions, slotted synthetic jets are used.

Methods: Computational studies are carried out using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software for various types of skewed turbulent velocity profiles at inlet-2 with skewness number (ξ = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7), while an average uniform velocity of 20m/s at inlet-1. Based on this analysis, worst case is selected and a pair of slotted synthetic jets is used just before the inflexion plane of the twin air-intake using transition SST turbulence model.

Results: The flow behaviour of transitional twin air-intake becomes more complex with the increase in skewness number, thereby decreasing the aerodynamic performance of the air-intakes. With the use of slotted synthetic jets, an improvement in static pressure recovery and decrement in total pressure loss coefficient, distortion in coeffient swirl coefficient and secondary flow non-uniformity are observed which is a great sign of improved aerodynamic performance for the twin air-intakes.

Conclusion: It is proved in this study that synthetic jet can be used effectively in twin air-intake to control the flow features leading to better flow uniformity and increased overall performance at the AIP without increasing the net-mass flow rate, thereby reducing the chance of stall/surge in the aeroengines. Hybrid flow control technique (synthetic jet coupled with vortex generator array) or newer flow control technique (plasma jet) are being explored for its possible use in engine air-intakes as revealed from recent patents filed/published in this area.

Keywords: Distortion coefficient, skewness number, static pressure recovery, swirl flow coefficient, total pressure loss, transitional twin air-intake.

[1]
Singh RK, Singh SN, Seshadri V. Effect of corner rounding on the performance of the double offset Y-shaped aircraft intake duct. Proc Mech Eng G J Aerosp Eng 2008; 222(7): 969-83.
[2]
Sudhakar K. AnanthKrishnan N. Jump phenomena in Y-shape intake duct. J Aircraft 1995; 33(2): 438-9.
[3]
Nima SMS, Hazaveh HA. Investigation of total pressure distribution at aerodynamic interface plane of an S-shaped air intake at sideslip condition. Int J Nat Eng Sci 2012; 6(3): 87-94.
[4]
Gan W, Zhang X. Design optimization of a three-dimensional diffusing S-duct using a modified SST turbulence model. J Aerosp Sci Tech 2017; 63: 63-72.
[5]
Raed AJ, Hussain HK, Mohammad SN. Experimental and numerical analysis of different flow modifier on the reversal flow region in S-shlape aggressive diffuser. AIP Conference Proceedings 2035. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Novembe 2018.
[6]
Raed AJ, Hussain HK, Mohammad SN. Comparative study on the performance of S-shape diffuser with shorten length. MATEC Web Conf 2018. 225: 05004.
[7]
Connolly BJ, Loth E, Smith CF. Unsteady flow simulations for diffusing S-ducts for circular and rectangular Cross-Section. AIAA Aerospace Science Meeting, Kissimmee, Florida, USA 2018
[8]
Patel T, Singh SN, Seshadri V. Characteristics of Y- shape rectangular diffusing duct at different inflow conditions. J Aircraft 2005; 42(1): 113-20.
[9]
Gopaliya MK, Chaudhary KK. CFD analysis of performance characteristics of Y-shaped diffuser with combined horizontal and vertical offsets. Aerosp Sci Technol 2010; 14(5): 338-47.
[10]
Singh RK, Singh SN, Seshadri V. Performance and flow characteristics of double-offset Y-shaped aircraft intake ducts. J Aircaftr 2008; 45(4): 1230-43.
[11]
Singh N, Rahim A, Islam M. An overall evaluation of flow characteristic and performance parameter of Y-shape diffusing duct with same angle of turn and different centreline length and radius of curvature. Proceedings of the National Conference on Trends and Advances in Mechanical Engineering YMCA University of Faridabad, Haryana, October, 2012
[12]
Singh N, Rahim A, Islam M. Flow characteristic of a symmetric Y-shaped diffusing duct with zero yaw angle. Indian J Eng Mater Sci 2013; 20: 125-31.
[13]
Saha K, Singh SN, Seshadri V. Effect of Yaw angle on the performance characteristics of twin intake duct. J Aircraft 2017; 54(3): 1211-6.
[14]
Gad-el-Hak M. Flow control: Passive, active and reactive flow management.Cambridge University Press: The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge 2000.
[15]
Abdellatif OE. Experimental study of turbulent flow characteristics inside a rectangular s-shaped diffusing duct. Conference 44th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit. Reno, Nevada January. 2006.
[16]
Paul AR. Aerodynamic studies of turbulent flow in twin airintakes. PhD Dissertation, Department of Applied Mechanics, MNNIT Allahabad, Prayagraj, India, June. 2013.
[17]
Wojewodka MM, White C, Shahpar S, Kontis K. A review of flow control techniques and optimisation in s-shaped ducts. Int J Heat Fluid Flow 2018; 74: 223-35.
[18]
Keerthi MC, Kushari A. Effectiveness of vortex generator jets and wall suction on separated flows in serpentine-duct diffuser. Aerosp Sci Technol 2014; 34(1): 12-9.
[19]
Seddon JM, Goldsmith EL. Intake Aerodynamics. 2nd ed. : Wiley-Blackwell Oxford, UK 1998.
[20]
Smith BL, Glezer A. The formation and evolution of synthetic jets. Phys Fluids 1998; 10(9): 2281-97.
[21]
Palumbo A, Chiatto M, Luca L. Measurement versus numerical simulations for slotted jet actuator. Actuator 2018; 7(59): 1-15.
[22]
Mathis R, Duke D, Kitsios V, Soria J. Flow control in S-Shape air-intake using zero-net-mass-flow. 16th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference. Gold Coast, Australia December,. 2007.
[23]
Leschziner MA, Lardeau S. Simulation of slot and circular synthetic jets in the context of boundary-layer separation control. Philos Trans Royal Soc A 2011; 369: 1495-512.
[24]
Paul AR, Joshi S, Jindal A, Maurya SP, Jain A. Experimental studies of active and passive flow control techniques applied in a twin air-intake. Sci World J 2013; 2013: 523759.
[25]
Kim M, Lee B, Lee J, Kim C. Experimental and computational study on separation control of synthetic jets with circular exits. Int J Aeronaut Space Sci 2016; 17(3): 296-314.
[26]
Wojewodka MM, White C, Shahpar S, Kontis K. Review of flow control techniques and optimization in S-shape duct. Int J Heat Fluid Flow 2018; 74: 223-35.
[27]
Roache PJ. Fundamentals of Verification and Validation. Hermosa Publishers New Mexico, USA 2009.
[28]
Menter F. Two-equation eddy-viscosity turbulence models for engineering applications. AIAA J 1994; 32(8): 1598-605.
[29]
Patankar SV. Numerical Heat Transfer And Fluid Flow. Taylor and Francis Publication London, UK 1980.
[30]
Paul AR, Ranjan P, Patel VK, Jain A. Comparative studies on flow control in rectangular S-duct diffuser using submerged-vortex generators. Aerosp Sci Technol 2013; 28(1): 332-43.
[31]
Mathis R, Duke D, Kitsios V, Soria J. Use of zero-net-mass-flow for separation control in diffusing S-duct. Exp Therm Fluid Sci 2008; 33: 169-72.
[32]
Glazer A, Amitay M. Synthetic jets. Annu Rev Fluid Mech 2002; 34: 503-29.
[33]
Oates GC. The Aerodynamics of Gas Turbines and Rocket Propulsion. 3rd ed. AIAA Education Series Reston, VA 1984.
[34]
Chen J, Hynes BS, Fletcher DF. A numerical and Experimental study of tangentially injected swirling pipe flow. Second International Conference on CFD in the Minerals and Process Industries CSIRO. Melbourne, Australia December,. 1999.
[35]
Chen ZJ, Wang JJ. Numerical investigation on synthetic jet flow control inside and S-inlet duct. Sci China Technol Sci 2012; 55(9): 2578-84.
[36]
Gilbertson FL. Air-intake system for engine. US4456458 (1984). .[37] Hardy, R., Neumann, F.D.D, Ruzicka, D.E. Fighter aircraft. US5636813 (1997).
[37]
Hardy R, Neumann FD, Ruzicka DE. Fighter aircraft. US5636813 (1997).
[38]
Wainfan BS, Liu YP, Rihn DR, et al. Shultz, D.E., Boccados, C. Aircraft engine air-intake system. US006138950 (2000).
[39]
Porte A. Air intake straucture for aircraft engine. US006328258 (2001).
[40]
Dickau JE. Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft propulsion systems. US6918244 (2005).
[41]
Smith FA. Appartus and method for vertical take-off and landing aircraft. US7874513 (2011).
[42]
Henne PA, Conners TR, Howe DC. Isentropic compression inlet for supersonic aircraft. US008286434 (2012).
[43]
Judas M, Bichler B. Intake for an engine of an aircraft. EP2928774 (2017).
[44]
Glazer A, Allen MG, Coe DJ. Synthetic jet actiator and applications theoreof. US5758823 (1998).
[45]
Saddoughi SG. Synthetic jets actuators. US6722581 (2004).
[46]
Barrett RM, Corpening J. Method and apparatus for boundary layer reattachment using synthetic jet actuators. US6796533 (2004).
[47]
Edward AW, Steven FG. Orthotropic bimorph for improved performance synthetic jets. US14329680 (2014).
[48]
Ragu S. Method and apparatus for aerodynamic flow control using compact high-frequency fluidic actuator arrays. US8382043 (2013).
[49]
Da Silva ICR, Roncatto AL, Belem AN, Da Cunha MF. Aircraft air-inlet diverter assemblies with improved erodynamic characteristics. US9051057 (2015).

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy