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Approach to Modeling Boundary Layer Ingestion Using a Fully Coupled Propulsion-RANS ModelAirframe-propulsion integration concepts that use boundary layer ingestion have the potential to reduce aircraft fuel burn. One concept that has been recently explored is NASA's Starc-ABL aircraft configuration, which offers the potential for 12% mission fuel burn reduction by using a turbo-electric propulsion system with an aft-mounted electrically driven boundary layer ingestion propulsor. This large potential for improved performance motivates a more detailed study of the boundary layer ingestion propulsor design, but to date, analyses of boundary layer ingestion have used uncoupled methods. These methods account for only aerodynamic effects on the propulsion system or propulsion system effects on the aerodynamics, but not both simultaneously. This work presents a new approach for building fully coupled propulsive-aerodynamic models of boundary layer ingestion propulsion systems. A 1D thermodynamic cycle analysis is coupled to a RANS simulation to model the Starc-ABL aft propulsor at a cruise condition and the effects variation in propulsor design on performance are examined. The results indicates that both propulsion and aerodynamic effects contribute equally toward the overall performance and that the fully coupled model yields substantially different results compared to uncoupled. The most significant finding is that boundary layer ingestion, while offering substantial fuel burn savings, introduces throttle dependent aerodynamics effects that need to be accounted for. This work represents a first step toward the multidisciplinary design optimization of boundary layer ingestion propulsion systems.
Document ID
20170001424
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Gray, Justin S.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Mader, Charles A.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Kenway, Gaetan K. W.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Martins, Joaquim R. R. A.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Date Acquired
February 8, 2017
Publication Date
January 9, 2017
Subject Category
Aerodynamics
Report/Patent Number
GRC-E-DAA-TN37844
Report Number: GRC-E-DAA-TN37844
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA SciTech 2017
Location: Grapevine, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: January 9, 2017
End Date: January 13, 2017
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 109492.02.03.01.10
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Boundary Layer Ingestion
propulsion
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