Aerodynamic Film Alignment on Complex Flow Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerodynamically functional films, such as riblet structures, are typically applied only to surfaces with less complex or uniform flow profiles, as aligning them with complex flow directions is challenging, resulting in insufficient reduction of wall shear stress in regions with complex flow profiles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving numerical flow simulation and computer modeling to determine flow lines on a body's surface, developing a two-dimensional surface segment, locating coherent fields with readable local flow directions, and applying aerodynamically functional film aligned with the main flow direction within these fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If aerodynamically functional films are applied to surfaces with complex flow profiles, then the reduction of wall shear stress can be enhanced, but the alignment precision of the film with the flow direction becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The body surface is divided into multiple coherent fields, each with relatively uniform flow direction characteristics. By segmenting the complex flow surface into smaller zones where flow direction is more consistent, the film alignment becomes more manageable and precise within each field, while still covering the entire complex flow profile area.
Solution Approach 2:
The method applies different alignment requirements to different regions of the body surface based on local flow characteristics. Each coherent field is treated independently with its own main flow direction determination, allowing the film to be optimally aligned with local flow patterns rather than requiring uniform alignment across the entire complex surface.
2Manufacturing precision
If aerodynamically functional films are applied to surfaces with uniform flow profiles, then the alignment with flow direction is simplified, but the reduction of wall shear stress is limited due to the simpler flow characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
Even on surfaces with relatively uniform flow, the method segments the surface into coherent fields to systematically identify and align with the main flow direction in each region, ensuring optimal film orientation while maintaining the simplicity of uniform flow applications.
3Loss of energy
If the film is aligned with the main flow direction in coherent fields, then the reduction of wall shear stress is maximized, but the complexity of determining flow lines and fields increases
Solution Approach 1:
The method performs preliminary determination of flow lines and coherent fields before film application. By pre-processing the flow field analysis and identifying coherent regions with their main flow directions in advance, the actual film alignment process is simplified, and the complex analytical work is completed beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The coherent fields serve as an intermediary structure between the complex flow field and the film application process. The fields provide a simplified intermediate representation that bridges the gap between complex flow simulation data and practical film alignment requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for effective reduction of wall shear stress in regions with complex flow profiles by ensuring the aerodynamically functional film is aligned with the main flow direction, even on geometrically complex surfaces like commercial aircraft.
Implementation Method 1
The invention discloses a method for applying aerodynamically functional film... determining flow lines on a surface of the body... locating at least one coherent field in the developed surface segment having local flow directions readable at the flow lines
Data Source
AI summary
A method applies aerodynamically functional film to a body around which complex flow occurs. The method includes: determining flow lines on a surface of the body for a predetermined surrounding flow state on a basis of a computer model of the body using a numerical flow simulation; developing at least one surface segment of the computer model provided with flow lines to form a two-dimensional surface; locating at least one coherent field in the developed surface segment having local flow directions readable at the flow lines in a predetermined angle range around a main flow direction of the respective field; and applying the aerodynamically functional film to the body within the field boundary of the at least one field located in the developed surface segment in such a way that the aerodynamically functional film is aligned along the main flow direction of the respective field.