Hexagonal Cell Flow Modulator for Air Intake Swirl Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact air vehicles with convoluted inlet ducts experience unexpected drops in engine performance due to disordered airflow, leading to engine surges and reduced efficiency, particularly when swirl angles exceed 5° to 15°.
Innovation Solution
A structural element, such as an array of open-ended hexagonal cells, is positioned within the inlet channel to modulate airflow and reduce swirl, improving flow ordering and reducing turbulence, thereby mitigating engine surges and enhancing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a convoluted inlet duct is used to achieve compact spatial footprint, then the spatial efficiency is improved, but the airflow becomes disordered causing engine performance drop and surges
Solution Approach 1:
A flow modulator is introduced as an intermediary device between the convoluted inlet duct and the engine. This modulator comprises an array of streamwise-aligned elements (such as hexagonal cells) that act as a mediator to straighten and order the disordered airflow from the convoluted duct before it enters the engine, thereby resolving the conflict between compact duct geometry and stable engine operation
Solution Approach 2:
The flow modulator is segmented into multiple discrete streamwise-aligned elements arranged in an array. Each element (such as hexagonal cells) independently contributes to flow straightening, and collectively they restore ordered airflow. This segmentation allows the modulator to effectively handle the complex three-dimensional flow patterns generated by the convoluted duct while maintaining a compact overall structure
2Length of moving object
If the inlet duct is made compact with deviated path, then the vehicle integration is improved, but swirl angles increase beyond acceptable limits
Solution Approach 1:
The flow modulator serves as an intermediary device that eliminates the harmful swirl generated by the compact convoluted duct. The streamwise-aligned elements within the modulator counteract the rotational flow components, straightening the airflow and reducing swirl angles to within acceptable limits for engine operation
Solution Approach 2:
The flow modulator changes the flow parameters (velocity vectors) of the air passing through it. By arranging elements in the streamwise direction, the modulator transforms the multi-directional, high-swirl flow from the convoluted duct into a more uniform, axial flow with reduced swirl angles, effectively controlling the harmful flow parameters
3Stability of the object's composition
If streamwise-aligned elements are added to modulate flow, then flow ordering is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow modulator is divided into multiple identical or similar streamwise-aligned elements (such as hexagonal cells) arranged in an array. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of individual elements and simplifies the overall design process, as each element performs the same flow-straightening function. The modular nature reduces design complexity despite adding components
Solution Approach 2:
The streamwise-aligned elements are designed to be homogeneous in their flow-modulating function, with each element contributing equally to flow straightening. This homogeneity simplifies the design and analysis process, as the performance of the entire modulator can be predicted from the performance of a single representative element, thereby managing device complexity
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
The flow modulator increases engine efficiency and power output while reducing fuel consumption and Foreign Object Damage risks, effectively addressing issues with disordered airflow and engine surges.
Implementation Method 1
the element being configured to modulate the air flow, at least partially, to improve flow ordering in the air incident to the inlet face
Implementation Method 2
the flow modulation is effective to modify the swirl in the air passing to the engine... the structural element may be configured to mitigate swirl in excess of 5°, more preferably swirl in excess of 10°
Implementation Method 3
the flow modulation may be effective to at least reduce turbulence in the air passing to the engine
Data Source
AI summary
An air vehicle powered by a gas turbine engine, particularly, but not exclusively, an air vehicle having a blended wing body comprises a gas turbine engine disposed in the body of the vehicle including an inlet face. An inlet channel having a convoluted geometry is configured such that air flow incident on the inlet face during operation is disordered. A structural element associated with the inlet channel and locate upstream of the inlet face is provided. The element is configured to modulate air flow, at least partially, to improve flow ordering int he incident air.