Showing papers on "Airfoil published in 2002"

Numerical modeling of wind turbine wakes

Abstract: An aerodynamical model for studying three-dimensional flow fields about wind turbine rotors is presented. The developed algorithm combines a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver with a so-called actuator line technique in which the loading is distributed along lines representing the blade forces. The loading is determined iteratively using a bladeelement approach and tabulated airfoil data. Computations are carried out for a 500 kW Nordtank wind turbine equipped with three LM19.1 blades. The computations give detailed information about basic features of wind turbine wakes, including distributions of interference factors and vortex structures. The model serves in particular to analyze and verify the validity of the basic assumptions employed in the simple engineering models

Large Eddy Simulation of Flow Around an Airfoil Near Stall

Abstract: A large eddy simulation (LES) of a turbulent flow past an airfoil near stall at a chord Reynolds number of 2.1 x 10 6 is performed and compared with wind-tunnel experiments. This configuration still constitutes a challenging test case for Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulation and LES as a result of the complexity of the suction side boundary layer: an adverse pressure gradient creates successively a laminar separation bubble, a turbulent reattachment, and a turbulent separation near the trailing edge. To handle this high-Reynolds-number flow with LES on available supercomputers, a local mesh-refinement technique and a discretization of the convective fluxes are developed in a block-structured finite volume code to reduce the total number of grid points and the numerical dissipation acting on the small scales, respectively. Influence of subgrid scale modeling (SGS) is assessed through the comparisons of explicit selective mixed scale model (SMSM) and implicit monotone-integrated LES model results. Moreover, the solution sensitiveness to grid refinement and spanwise extent is investigated

Nonlinear Inviscid Aerodynamic Effects on Transonic Divergence, Flutter, and Limit-Cycle Oscillations

Abstract: By the use of a state-of-the-art computational e uid dynamic (CFD) method to model nonlinear steady and unsteady transonice owsin conjunction with a linearstructural model,an investigationismadeinto how nonlinear aerodynamics can effect the divergence, e utter, and limit-cycle oscillation (LCO) characteristics of a transonic airfoil cone guration. A single-degree-of-freedom (DOF) model is studied for divergence, and one- and two-DOF models are studied for e utter and LCO. A harmonicbalancemethod in conjunction with the CFD solver is used to determine the aerodynamics for e nite amplitude unsteady excitations of a prescribed frequency. A procedure for determining the LCO solution is also presented. For the cone guration investigated, nonlinear aerodynamic effects are found to produce a favorable transonic divergence trend and unstable and stable LCO solutions, respectively, for the one- and two-DOF e utter models. Nomenclature a = nondimensional location of airfoil elastic axis, e=b b, c = semichord and chord, respectively cl, cm = coefe cients of lift and moment about elastic axis, respectively e = location of airfoil elastic axis, measured positive aft of airfoil midchord h, ® = airfoil plunge and pitch degrees of freedom I® = second moment of inertia of airfoil about elastic axis

Role of Actuation Frequency in Controlled Flow Reattachment over a Stalled Airfoil

Abstract: The effect of the actuation frequency on the manipulation of the global aerodynamic forces on lifting surfaces using surface-mounted fluidic actuators based on synthetic (zero mass flux) jet technology is demonstrated in wind-tunnel experiments. The effect of the actuation is investigated at two ranges of (dimensionless) jet formation frequencies of the order of, or well above, the natural shedding frequency. The vortical structures within the separated flow region vary substantially when the dimensionless actuation frequency F + is varied between O(1) and O(10). When F + is O(1), the reattachment is characterized by the formation of large vortical structures at the driving frequency that persist well beyond the trailing edge of the airfoil. The formation and shedding of these vortices leads to unsteady attachment and, consequently, to a time-periodic variation in vorticity flux and in circulation. Actuation at F + of O(10) leads to a complete flow reattachment that is marked by the absence of organized vortical structures along the flow surface

Multipoint and Multi-Objective Aerodynamic Shape Optimization

Abstract: A Newton‐Krylov algorithm is presented for the aerodynamic optimization of singleand multi-element airfoil configurations. The flow is governed by the compressible Navier‐Stokes equations in conjunction with a one-equation turbulence model. The preconditioned generalized minimum residual method is applied to solve the discreteadjoint equation, leading to a fast computation of accurate objective function gradients. Optimization constraints are enforced through a penalty formulation, and the resulting unconstrained problem is solved via a quasi-Newton method. Design examples include lift-enhancement and multi-point lift-constrained drag minimization problems. Furthermore, the new algorithm is used to compute a Pareto front for a multi-objective problem, and the results are validated using a genetic algorithm. Overall, the new algorithm provides an ecient and robust approach for addressing the issues of complex aerodynamic

Computation of trailing-edge noise due to turbulent flow over an airfoil

Abstract: Application of the variational formulation of Lighthill’ s acoustic analogy to trailing-edge noise is considered. Use is made of this formulation to study the effect of e niteness of the chord and the variation of far-e eld pressure directivity with frequency. Numerical analytical solution results are validated for certain limiting cases. Use is also made of this methodology to calculate the far-e eld acoustic pressure for a low-Mach-number turbulent e ow. To determine the acoustic sources for this problem, we employ an unstructured mesh, large eddy simulation of the incompressible Navier ‐Stokes equations.

Advances in modeling of Aerodynamic forces on bridge decks

Abstract: Aerodynamic forces on bridges are commonly separated into static, self-excited, and buffeting force components. By delving into the relationships among force descriptors for static, self-excited, and buffeting components, novel perspectives are developed to unveil the subtle underlying complexities in modeling aerodynamic forces. Formulations for airfoil sections and those based on quasi-steady theory are both considered. Time domain modeling of unsteady aerodynamic forces is presented, including their frequency-dependent characteristics and spanwise correlation, which are often neglected in current time domain analyses due to modeling difficulty. A nonlinear aerodynamic force model is given that considers nonlinear dependence of the aerodynamic forces on the effective angle of incidence. Nonlinear aerodynamics may become increasingly critical when aerodynamic characteristics of innovative bridge deck designs, with attractive aerodynamic performance, exhibit significant sensitivity with respect to the effective angle of incidence and with the increases in the bridge span. Synergistic review of the authors' recent work in bridge aerodynamics presented here, in light of current state-of-the-art in this field, may serve as a building block for developing new analysis tools and frameworks for the accurate prediction of the response of long span bridges under strong wind excitation.

Comparison of wing characteristics at an ultralow Reynolds number

Abstract: The hydrodynamic characteristics of 20 wings of different airfoil shape were measured at Re = 4 X 103. Each wing had an aspect ratio At of 7.25. Comparison of the measured wing characteristics showed that hydrodynamic characteristics of a wing with a rectangular airfoil can be improved by either a camber of 5%, a sharp leading edge, or proper corrugation

Structural and Aeroelastic Modeling of General Planform Wings with Morphing Airfoils

Abstract: By use of equivalent plate modeling, an efficient method has been developed to study the structural behavior and static aeroelastic response of general builtup wing structures composed of skins, spars, and ribs. The model includes transverse shear effects by treating the wing as a plate, following the first-order shear deformation theory. The equations of motion are derived using the Ritz method with Legendre polynomials as trial functions. To model arbitrary wing planforms, the wing is composed of two plates, connected by distributed translatory and rotary springs of very high stiffness. The structural model has been validated for a set of examples by comparing the results with the ones obtained from MSC/NASTRAN. A distributed actuation scheme allows the modification of wing twist and camber for maneuver control of the vehicle. The model has been applied to study the roll performance of a flapless smart wing with morphing airfoils

Statistical Analysis of CFD Solutions from the Drag Prediction Workshop

Abstract: A simple, graphical framework is presented for robust statistical evaluation of results obtained from N-Version testing of a series of RANS CFD codes. The solutions were obtained by a variety of code developers and users for the June 2001 Drag Prediction Workshop sponsored by the AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Technical Committee. The aerodynamic configuration used for the computational tests is the DLR-F4 wing-body combination previously tested in several European wind tunnels and for which a previous N-Version test had been conducted. The statistical framework is used to evaluate code results for (1) a single cruise design point, (2) drag polars and (3) drag rise. The paper concludes with a discussion of the meaning of the results, especially with respect to predictability, Validation, and reporting of solutions.

Effects of Gurney Flaps on a NACA0012 Airfoil

Abstract: Experimental measurements of surface pressure distributions and wake profiles were obtained for a NACA0012 airfoil to determine the lift, drag, and pitching-moment coefficients for various configurations. The addition of a Gurney flap increased the maximum lift coefficient from 1.37 to 1.74, however there was a drag increment at low-to-moderate lift coefficient. In addition, the boundary layer profile measurements were taken using a rake of total pressure probes at the 90% chord location on the suction side. The effective Gurney flap height is about 2% of chord length, which provides the highest lift-to-drag ratio among the investigated configurations when compared with the clean NACA0012 airfoil. In this case, the device remains within the boundary layer.

On sound generation by the interaction between turbulence and a cascade of airfoils with non-uniform mean flow

Abstract: The sound generated by the interaction between a turbulent rotor wake and a stator is modelled by considering the gust response of a cascade of blades in non-uniform, subsonic mean flow. Previous work by Hanson & Horan (1998) that considers a cascade of flat plates at zero incidence is extended to take into account blade geometry and angle of attack. Our approach is based on the work of Peake & Kerschen (1997), who calculate the forward radiation due to the interaction between a single vortical gust and a cascade of flat plates at non-zero angle of attack. The extensions completed in this present paper are two-fold: first we include the effects of small but non-zero camber and thickness; and second we produce uniformly valid approximations which predict the upstream radiation near modal cut-off. The thin-airfoil singularity in the steady flow at each leading edge is crucial in our model of the sound generation. A new analytical expression for the coefficient of this singularity is derived via a sequence of conformal mappings, and it turns out that in our asymptotic limit this is the only quantity which needs to be calculated from the steady flow in order to predict time-averaged noise levels. Once the response to a single gust has been completed, we use Hanson & Horan (1998)'s approach to determine the response to an incident turbulent spectrum, and find that as well as the noise corresponding to the auto-correlation of the gust velocity component normal to the blade, there is also a contribution from the cross-correlation of the normal and tangential velocities. Predictions are made of the effects of blade geometry on the upstream acoustic power level. The blade geometry can have a very significant effect on the noise generated by interaction with a single gust, with changes of up to 10 dB from the flat-plate noise levels. However, once these gust results have been integrated over a full incident turbulence spectrum the effects of the geometry are rather smaller, although still potentially significant, leading to changes of up to about 2 dB from the flat-plate results. The implication of all this is that the blade geometry can have a significant effect on the tonal noise components generated by rotor–stator interaction (i.e. by single harmonic gusts), but that the broadband part of the noise spectrum is relatively unaffected.

Robust airfoil optimization to achieve drag reduction over a range of Mach numbers

Abstract: An airfoil shape optimization method that reduces drag over a range of free stream Mach numbers is sought. We show that one acceptable choice is a weighted multipoint optimization method using more design points than there are free-design variables. Alternate methods that use far fewer design points are explored. A new method called profile optimization is developed and analyzed. This method has three main advantages: (a) it prevents severe degradation at the off-design points by using a smart descent direction, (b) there is no random airfoil shape distortion for any iterate it generates, and (c) it is not sensitive to the number of design points. For illustration purposes, we use the profile optimization method to solve a lift-constrained drag minimization problem for 2-D airfoil in Euler flow with 20 free-design variables. A comparison with other airfoil optimization methods is also included.

Vertical axis wind engine

Abstract: A vertical axis wind engine, also referred to as a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) includes a support structure, a rotor mounted rotatably on the support structure for rotation about a vertical axis, and at least one airfoil for causing the rotor to rotate about the vertical axis in response to wind passing the wind engine. The airfoil has vertically extending leading and trailing edges, an angle-of-attack axis extending horizontally through the leading and trailing edges, and a pivotal axis extending vertically intermediate the leading and trailing edges. The airfoil is mounted on the rotor for pivotal movement about the pivotal axis and the rotor includes components for limiting pivotal movement of the airfoil to first and second limits of pivotal movement. The airfoil is free to pivot about the pivotal axis intermediate the first and second limits of pivotal movement as the rotor rotates about the vertical axis in order to thereby enable the airfoil to align the angle-of-attack axis according to the wind. Preferably, the wind engine has more than one free-flying, self-positioning airfoil, and the rotor includes first and second stops for each airfoil that augment virtual stop effects to limit pivotal movement to a radially aligned first limit and a tangentially aligned second limit. According to another aspect of the invention, multiple wind engines are stacked. Yet another aspect provides an exponentially shaped structure surrounding the vertical axis that funnels wind toward the rotor.

Separated Flow Transition Under Simulated Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoil Conditions: Part 1 — Mean Flow and Turbulence Statistics

Abstract: Boundary layer separation, transition and reattachment have been studied experimentally under low-pressure turbine airfoil conditions. Cases with Reynolds numbers (Re) ranging from 25,000 to 300,000 (based on suction surface length and exit velocity) have been considered at low (0.5%) and high (9% inlet) free-stream turbulence levels. Mean and fluctuating velocity and intermittency profiles are presented for streamwise locations all along the airfoil, and turbulent shear stress profiles are provided for the downstream region where separation and transition occur. Higher Re or free-stream turbulence level moves transition upstream. Transition is initiated in the shear layer over the separation bubble and leads to rapid boundary layer reattachment. At the lowest Re, transition did not occur before the trailing edge, and the boundary layer did not reattach. Turbulent shear stress levels can remain low in spite of high free-stream turbulence and high fluctuating streamwise velocity in the shear layer. The beginning of a significant rise in the turbulent shear stress signals the beginning of transition. A slight rise in the turbulent shear stress near the trailing edge was noted even in those cases which did not undergo transition or reattachment. The present results provide detailed documentation of the boundary layer and extend the existing database to lower Re. The present results also serve as a baseline for an investigation of turbulence spectra in Part 2 of the present paper, and for ongoing work involving transition and separation control.Copyright © 2002 by ASME

Flow directing device

Abstract: A flow directing device of a gas turbine engine, comprising: an airfoil having a leading edge, trailing edge, suction side and pressure side; a wall abutting the airfoil; and a fillet between the airfoil and wall. The fillet has an enlarged section at the leading edge, along the suction and pressure sides, and towards the trailing edge. The device could be part of a vane segment. In addition to eliminating a horseshoe vortex, the device also reduces heat load on the airfoil by directing the cooler gas from the proximal end of the airfoil to the hotter gas at the medial section of the airfoil.

Active Control of Separation on a Wing with Oscillating Camber

Abstract: Introduction L OW-REYNOLDS-NUMBER effects are signiŽ cant in the aerodynamics of low-speed airfoils, aircraft intended to operate in low-density environments, and small-scale lifting surfaces such as insect and bird wings. Current aerodynamic applications includemicro-aerialvehicles and unmannedaerial vehicles, as well as aircraft operating at high altitudes or low-density atmospheres other than Earth’s. The primary difŽ culty with the operation of a wing at low Reynolds number is that the  ow over the suction surface encounters an adverse pressure gradient at a point at which the boundary layer is quite likely to still be laminar. Because a laminar boundary layer is incapable of negotiating any but the slightest adverse pressure gradient, the  ow will inevitably separate. The separated  ow then transitions to turbulence, entrains  uid, and reattaches to form a turbulent boundary layer. The resulting structure is the laminar separation bubble, which has been described by Lissaman.1 A number of different  ow-control approaches have been investigated to reduce separationand improve efŽ ciency at lowReynolds numbers. Continuous blowing and sucking have long been shown to havepronouncedeffects.More recently, intermittentblowing and sucking in the form of synthetic jets have shown their effectiveness and suggest the presence of optimum values in the range of frequency inputs, which can translate to other oscillatory inputs.3i5 Mechanical momentum transfer and acoustic excitation have also been explored. The approach presented herein employs an adaptive wing.6 Naturally, all practical wings are adaptive in the sense that they use actuators to alter lift coefŽ cient by changing effectiveproŽ le with a subsequentloss in efŽ ciency.A truly adaptivewing, however, refers to an airfoil, which can change its proŽ le to adapt optimally to  ow conditions. Similar concepts have been explored in the past, such as the snap-through airfoil, which changes local airfoil camber by moving a  exible portion of the pressure surface or the Defense AdvancedResearch Projects Agency “smart wing,” which uses torsional elements to twist the wing. Modern smart materials such as piezoelectricactuators offer great promise in the area of future stall

Systems and methods for automated sensing and machining for repairing airfoils of blades

Abstract: A method for repairing an airfoil comprising creating a nominal numerically-controlled tool path based on a nominal shape of the airfoil, measuring the airfoil using a displacement sensor, capturing differences in the airfoil shape as compared to the nominal shape, creating a three-dimensional map by synchronizing x, y and z coordinates and readings from the sensor, modifying the tool path based on the three-dimensional map, and machining the airfoil. A system for measuring and machining an airfoil comprising a computer operable for data acquisition and numerically-controlled tool path generation, a numerically-controlled machine, a cutting tool holder comprising a plurality of cutting tools, and a displacement-sensing probe.

Morphing airfoil shape change optimization with minimum actuator energy as an objective

Abstract: Morphing aircraft are multi-role aircraft that use innovative actuators, effectors, and mechanisms to change their state to perform select missions with substantially improved system performance. State change in this study means a change in the cross-sectional shape of the wing itself, not chord extension or span extension. Integrating actuators and mechanisms into an effective, light weight structural topology that generates lift and sustains the air loads generated by the wing is central to the success of morphing, shape changing wings and airfoils. The objective of this study is to explore a process to link analytical models and optimization tools with design methods to create energy efficient, lightweight wing/structure/actuator combinations for morphing aircraft wings. In this case, the energy required to change from one wing or airfoil shape to another is used as the performance index for optimization while the aerodynamic performance such as lift or drag is constrained. Three different, but related, topics are considered: energy required to operate articulated trailing edge flaps and slats attached to flexible 2D airfoils; optimal, minimum energy, articulated control deflections on wings to generate lift; and, deformable airfoils with cross-sectional shape changes requiring strain energy changes to move from one lift coefficient to another. Results indicate that a formal optimization scheme using minimum actuator energy as an objective and internal structural topology features as design variables can identify the best actuators and their most effective locations so that minimal energy is required to operate a morphing wing. Background

Numerical Prediction of Airfoil Aerodynamic Noise

Abstract: This paper describes a new step in the development of a Computational AeroAcoustics (CAA) process whose general long term objective is the numerical prediction of the aerodynamic sound radiated by the airframe of large aircraft at approach, and especially the noise generated by deployed high lift devices such as slats and flaps. The proposed 3-step hybrid process combines CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) techniques and acoustic numerical methods, each one being adapted to a particular domain in which specific physical fluid mechanisms are simulated solving an adequate set of equations. In a first step, the nearfield unsteady flow is computed via a compressible three-dimensional LES (Large Eddy Simulation). In a second step, LES-computed perturbations are injected at the inner boundary of a larger domain in which the outward propagation of small perturbations over a non-uniform mean flow is simulated using LEE (linearized Euler equations). In the third and last step, the acoustic field radiated at the external boundary of the LEE domain becomes the entry data of a Kirchhoff integration which provides the noise radiated in the far field. The critical point of the process is the coupling, via an interface, of the LES with the LEE. This process has been carefully studied using analytical fields, an acoustic point source monopole and a convected Eulerian vortex. It has been found that the correct injection of such fields requires severe conditions in terms of space resolution, conditions which are especially difficult to meet for purely vortical fields. In a former study, the LES of the unsteady flow around a NACA0012 airfoil has formed the basis of numerical noise predictions using acoustic integral methods. In the present paper, the same LES is used as a basis for the 3-step CAA process. First results revealed the generation of non-physical noise at the boundary interface where the airfoil's turbulent wake is injected in the Euler domain. Additional tests based on the injection of an analytical vortex suggest that this problem was most probably caused by the under-resolution of the injected vortical structures. This difficulty was not solved, but by-passed by using a LES/LEE interface which did not intercept the airfoil's wake. The final result integrates the three components, including the nearfield LES, the midfield noise propagation using LEE and the farfield noise radiation using the Kirchhoff integral. __________________________________________________ Copyright © 2002 by ONERA. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission INTRODUCTION The general context of this paper is the numerical prediction of the aerodynamic noise generated by the high lift devices HLD, slats and flaps of large airliners, an important contributor to the total radiated airframe noise, especially in approach configuration. It is commonly admitted that the design of new low-noise HLD concepts incorporating specific noise reduction devices, although still relying on necessary experiments, will take growing advantage of the numerical simulation in terms of lower costs and shorter delays, especially considering the spectacular continuing progress of Computational AeroAcoustics (CAA) methods. The problem of the numerical simulation of HLD noise is still beyond the capabilities of complete Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS), so hybrid methods are used in most practical cases. Figure 1 sketches the possible numerical strategies, showing how the nearfield turbulent flow and the farfield noise are computed separately. The idea is to divide the physical space into several domains, in which specific physical mechanisms are simulated using the most adequate set of equations with the cheapest discretization strategy. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques are used to simulate the nearfield flow which contains the aerodynamic noise sources. Available techniques include steady ReynoldsAveraged Navier-Stokes (RANS) computations, in conjonction with stochastic models of the wavenumber-frequency spectrum of the turbulence [1-3], unsteady RANS methods [4-5], and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) [6-9]. This local flow solution has to be coupled to an acoustic numerical technique for the prediction of farfield noise. The most practical formulations are the integral methods such as Lighthill's analogy [7] [10] (including the Ffowcs WilliamsHawkings (FW-H) equation [4, 5, 11, 12]), the Boundary Element Method (BEM) [13] and the Kirchhoff integral. In a former study, the compressible LES of the unsteady flow around a symmetrical NACA0012 airfoil with a blunted trailing edge has formed the basis of airfoil aerodynamic noise predictions. A detailed analysis of the nearfield unsteady flow showed that the local aeroacoustic characteristics were correctly simulated, including the local acoustic field. This suggested to define a control surface around the airfoil, on which the acoustic nature of the pressure field was established. The pressure field and normal derivative on this surface where used to compute the farfield noise via a 3D Kirchhoff method. In a second step, another noise prediction based on the Ffowcs WilliamsHawkings equation was performed using the same LES data. 8th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference & Exhibit Fire 17-19 June 2002, Breckenridge, Colorado AIAA 2002-2573 Copyright © 2002 by the author(s). Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission.

Aerodynamic studies for blended wing body aircraft

Abstract: This paper presents aerodynamic studies of a blended wing body (BWB) configuration within an European project, MOB. Firstly, the effects of spanwise distribution on the BWB aircraft aerodynamic efficiency were studied through an inverse design approach, combining both a low fidelity panel method and a high fidelity RANS method. Secondly, the BWB aerofoil profiles were optimised for improved performance. Finally, three-dimensional optimisation of the BWB twist and camber distribution were carried out based on continuous and discrete adjoint approaches.

Second-stage turbine bucket airfoil

Abstract: The second-stage buckets have airfoil profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in inches in Table I wherein Z is a perpendicular distance from a plane normal to a radius of the turbine centerline and containing the X and Y values with the Z value commencing at zero in the X, Y plane at the radially innermost aerodynamic section of the airfoil and X and Y are coordinate values defining the airfoil profile at each distance Z. The X, Y and Z values may be scaled as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled-up or scaled-down airfoil section for the bucket.

Controlling Secondary-Flow Structure by Leading-Edge Airfoil Fillet and Inlet Swirl to Reduce Aerodynamic Loss and Surface Heat Transfer

Abstract: Computations, based on the ensemble-averaged compressible Navier-Stokes equations closed by the shear-stress transport (SST) turbulence model, were performed to investigate the effects of leading-edge airfoil fillet and inlet-swirl angle on the flow and heat transfer in a turbine-nozzle guide vane. Three fillet configurations were simulated: no fillet (baseline), a fillet whose thickness fades on the airfoil, and a fillet whose thickness fades on the endwall. For both fillets, the maximum height above the endwall is positioned along the stagnation zone/line on the airfoil under the condition of no swirl. For each configuration, three inlet swirls were investigated: no swirl (baseline) and two linearly varying swirl angle from one endwall to the other (+30° to −30° and −30° to +30°). Results obtained show that both leading-edge fillet and inlet swirl can reduce aerodynamic loss and surface heat transfer. For the conditions of this study, the difference in stagnation pressure from the nozzle’s inlet to its exit were reduced by more than 40% with swirl or with fillet without swirl. Surface heat transfer was reduced by more than 10% on the airfoil and by more than 30% on the endwalls. When there is swirl, leading-edge fillets became less effective in reducing aerodynamic loss and surface heat transfer, because the fillets were not optimized for swirl angles imposed. Since the intensity and size of the cross flow were found to increase instead of decrease by inlet swirl and by the type of fillet geometries investigated, the results of this study indicate that the mechanisms responsible for aerodynamic loss and surface heat transfer are more complex than just the intensity and the magnitude of the secondary flows. This study shows their location and interaction with the main flow to be more important, and this could be exploited for positive results.Copyright © 2002 by ASME

Evaluation of PowerFLOW for Aerodynamic Applications

Abstract: A careful comparison of the performance of a commercially available Lattice-Boltzmann Equation solver (PowerFLOW) was made with a conventional, block-structured computational fluid-dynamics code (CFL3D) for the flow over a two-dimensional NACA-0012 airfoil. The results suggest that the version of PowerFLOW used in the investigation produced solutions with large errors in the computed flow field; these errors are attributed to inadequate resolution of the boundary layer for reasons related to grid resolution and primitive turbulence modeling. The requirement of square grid cells in the PowerFLOW calculations limited the number of points that could be used to span the boundary layer on the wing and still keep the computation size small enough to fit on the available computers. Although not discussed in detail, disappointing results were also obtained with PowerFLOW for a cavity flow and for the flow around a generic helicopter configuration.

The Nebulous Art of Using Wind-Tunnel Airfoil Data for Predicting Rotor Performance

Abstract: The objective of this study was threefold: to evaluate different two-dimensional S809 airfoil data sets in the prediction of rotor performance; to compare blade-element momentum rotor predicted results to lifting-surface, prescribed-wake results; and to compare the NASA Ames combined experiment rotor measured data with the two different performance prediction methods. The S809 airfoil data sets evaluated included those from Delft University of Technology, Ohio State University, and Colorado State University. The performance prediction comparison with NASA Ames data documents shortcomings of these performance prediction methods and recommends the use of the lifting-surface, prescribed-wake method over blade-element momentum theory for future analytical improvements.Copyright © 2002 by ASME

Coolable rotor blade for an industrial gas turbine engine

Abstract: A coolable rotor blade (42) having an airfoil (64) having two serpentine passages (122,124), is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for providing cooling to the leading edge (68) region and the trailing edge region (74) of the airfoil. In one detailed embodiment, the airfoil trip strips (T) in the passages having constant height e and constant pitch e/p over each leg in most legs of the passages except for the legs closest to the edge regions of the airfoil.