SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Inlet Distortion”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 records

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1987

Calculations of inlet distortion induced compressor flowfield instability

Calculations are presented predicting the onset of flow instability for a multistage low speed axial compressor operating in circumferentially distorted inlet flow. The most important feature of the model used is that it attempts to properly account for the fluid dynamic interaction between the spoiled and unspoiled sectors of the compressor. The calculations show that there is an approximate stability criterion, the annulus averaged slope of the compressor pressure rise characteristic equal to zero, that is valid whenever the dynamics of the compressor distorted flowfield can be considered independent of the compressor environment. This approximate criterion is used to investigate the relationship between the present model and the parallel compressor model. Further calculations are performed to investigate cases of interest when the dynamics of the flowfield are coupled to the environment. Resonant cases and cases when the distortion is unsteady are studied. In particular, it is shown that rotating distortions which propagate in the rotor direction can have a greater effect on stability margin than stationary or counter-rotational ones. Finally, it is shown that the general predictions of the model are insensitive to the details of the unsteady bladerow dynamics.

Hynes, T. P.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A comparison of predicted and measured inlet distortion flows in a subsonic axial inlet flow compressor rotor

Detailed flow measurements were taken inside an isolated axial compressor rotor operating subsonically near peak efficiency. These Laser Anemometer measurements were made with two inlet velocity profiles. One profile consisted of an unmodified baseline flow, and the second profile was distorted by placing axisymmetric screens on the hub and shroud well upstream of the rotor. A detailed comparison in the rotor relative reference frame between a Navier-Stokes solver and the measured experimental results showed good agreement between the predicted and measured flows. A primary flow is defined in the rotor and deviations and the computed predictions is made to assess the development of a passage vortex due to the distortion of the inlet flow. Computer predictions indicate that a distorted inlet profile has a minimal effect on the development of the flow in the rotor passage and the resulting passage vortex.

Owen, Albert K.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Isolated rotor noise due to inlet distortion or turbulence

Theoretical formulation, analysis, and results are presented that are necessary to analyze quadrupole noise generated from a loaded, subsonic rotor because of its interaction with an inflow distortion or inlet turbulence. The ratio of quadrupole to dipole noise is largely a function of the axial Mach number, wheel tip Mach number, rotor solidity, and total pressure ratio across the rotor. It is relatively independent of the specific form of the inflow distortion or inlet turbulence. Comparisons with experimental data only succeed in predicting gross levels at a given speed and fail to predict the variation of noise at fixed speed with flow and pressure ratio. Likely sources of this discrepancy are discussed.

Mani, R.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Further studies of static to flight effects on fan tone noise using inlet distortion control for source identification

Current experimental investigations have linked static inflow distortion phenomena such as the ground vortex, atmospheric turbulence, and teststand structure interference to the generation of fan tone noise at the blade passing frequency. Since such distortions do not exist in flight, it is important to remove them from the static test environment and thereby improve the static-to-flight tone-noise correlation. In the course of providing evidence for this position, a recent investigation used a distortion control inlet with a modern day turbofan engine to assess atmospheric turbulence effects. Although the initial results were encouraging, they were incomplete. The present investigation continues this work and shows more completely the effect of atmospheric turbulence on tone-noise generation. Further, use is made of the distortion control inlet to identify other competing tone-noise sources in the test engine such as a rotor-core stator interaction which was confirmed by engine modifications.

Hodder, B. K.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Summary of investigations of engine response to distorted inlet conditions

A survey is presented of experimental and analytical experience of the NASA Lewis Research Center in engine response to inlet temperature and pressure distortions. This includes a description of the hardware and techniques employed, and a summary of the highlights of experimental investigations and analytical modeling. Distortion devices successfully simulated inlet distortion, and knowledge was gained about compression system response to different types of distortion. A list of NASA research references is included.

Biesiadny, T. J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Summary of investigations of engine response to distorted inlet conditions

A survey is presented of experimental and analytical experience of the NASA Lewis Research Center in engine response to inlet temperature and pressure distortions. Results of experimental investigations and analytical modeling are reviewed together with a description of the hardware and the techniques employed. Distortion devices successfully simulated inlet distortion, and knowledge was gained on compression system response to different types of distortion. A list of NASA research references is included.

Biesiadny, Thomas J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A study on vortex flow control on inlet distortion in the re-engined 727-100 center inlet duct using computational fluid dynamics

Computational fluid dynamics was used to investigate the management of inlet distortion by the introduction of discrete vorticity sources at selected locations in the inlet for the purpose of controlling secondary flow. These sources of vorticity were introduced by means of vortex generators. A series of design observations were made concerning the importance of various vortex generator design parameters in minimizing engine face circumferential distortion. The study showed that vortex strength, generator scale, and secondary flow field structure have a complicated and interrelated influence on the engine face distortion, over and above the initial geometry and arrangement of the generators. The installed vortex generator performance was found to be a function of three categories of variables: the inflow conditions, the aerodynamic characteristics associated with the inlet duct, and the design parameters related to the geometry, arrangement, and placement of the vortex generators within the outlet duct itself.

Anderson, Bernhard H.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A study on vortex flow control of inlet distortion in the re-engined 727-100 center inlet duct using computational fluid dynamics

Anderson, Bernhard H.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Active Control of Rotating Stall Demonstrated for a Multistage Compressor With Inlet Distortion

Aircraft compressors can suffer debilitating consequences as a result of rotating stall and surge events caused by inlet distortions. This is particularly true of aircraft during takeoff, when the compressor is operating at peak performance close to the surge line. Significant research has been conducted by the NASA Glenn Research Center in the area of compressor stability enhancement through active and passive control methods. Most recently, an experiment was conducted at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base Research Laboratory on a two-stage fan with inlet guide vanes and inlet distortion. In this joint Small Business Innovation Research effort between Scientific Systems and Glenn, control of rotating stall was demonstrated in a multistage transonic fan. This twostage fan with inlet guide vanes was tested under clean and distorted inlet conditions. The compressor was also configured with a circumferential distortion screen capable of 180 of distortion and with 14 high-velocity injectors upstream of the first rotor. Twelve of these injectors could oscillate up to frequencies of 450 Hz. The additional two injectors were located next to each other and were used in concert with each other as a single, on/off, high-authority actuator. In a first test of injection in this multistage environment, 12 of the valves were opened 50 percent of their full stroke to assess steady injection through the compressor. This baseline injection is shown in the compressor characteristic of the following figure, and stall margin improvements are tracked from this baseline condition. The compressor was then tested with clean inlet conditions using 12 injectors and active control. Pressure disturbances were tracked before rotating stall, and a constant gain control scheme reduced the stalling mass flow by 10.8 percent over the baseline. With the distortion screen present in the inlet, a pole-zero cancellation control scheme was used to achieve a 6.4-percent decrease in stalling mass flow. These improvements also are shown in the figure. In a final experiment, actively controlled, high-frequency injection from the 12 valves was used in conjunction with the high-authority actuators. In this test, the stalling mass flow of the compressor was reduced by 27 percent as indicated in the graph. These results were obtained by injecting less than 2 percent of the total compressor throughflow into the rotor tip region via 14 injection ports. These results mark the first successful demonstration of actively controlled air injection as a stall-control strategy for multistage compressors operating at speeds typical of an actual gas turbine engine. A goal of continuing research is to determine the combination of air-injection parameters and control strategies that are most effective in providing stall control for both clean and distorted inlet flow conditions for multistage environments. Other goals include the demonstration of stall control at many locations along the core compressor and development and application of active stall control strategies that will be integral flightworthy components of onboard engine hardware.

VanSchalkwyk, Christian↗

NASA NTRS2011

Effects of Inlet Distortion on Aeromechanical Stability of a Forward-Swept High-Speed Fan

Concerns regarding noise, propulsive efficiency, and fuel burn are inspiring aircraft designs wherein the propulsive turbomachines are partially (or fully) embedded within the airframe; such designs present serious concerns with regard to aerodynamic and aeromechanic performance of the compression system in response to inlet distortion. Separately, a forward-swept high-speed fan was developed to address noise concerns of modern podded turbofans; however this fan encounters aeroelastic instability (flutter) as it approaches stall. A three-dimensional, unsteady, Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics code is applied to analyze and corroborate fan performance with clean inlet flow. This code, already validated in its application to assess aerodynamic damping of vibrating blades at various flow conditions, is modified and then applied in a computational study to preliminarily assess the effects of inlet distortion on aeroelastic stability of the fan. Computational engineering application and implementation issues are discussed, followed by an investigation into the aeroelastic behavior of the fan with clean and distorted inlets.

Herrick, Gregory P.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Two-stage fan. 2: Data and performance with redesigned second stage rotor uniform and distorted inlet flows

A two-stage fan with a first rotor tip speed of 1450 ft/sec (441.96 m/sec) and no inlet guide vanes was tested with uniform and distorted inlet flows, with a redesigned second rotor having a part span shroud to prevent flutter, with variable-stagger stators set in nominal positions, and without rotor casing treatment. The fan achieved a pressure ratio 2.8 at a corrected flow of 185.4 lbm/sec (84.0 kg/sec), an adiabatic efficiency of 85.0 percent, and a stall margin of 12 percent. The redesigned second rotor did not flutter. Tip radial distortion reduced the stall margin at intermediate speed, but had little effect on stall margin at high or low speeds. Hub radial distortion reduced the stall margin at design speed but increased stall margin at low speed. Circumferential distortion reduced stall pressure ratio and flow to give approximately the same stall lines with uniform inlet flow. Distortions were attenuated by the fan. For Vol. 1, see N74-11421.

Messenger, H. E.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Inlet distortion effects in aircraft propulsion system integration

A tutorial survey of inlet flow distortion effects on engine performance and stability is presented. Inlet distortions in aero engines arise through a variety of causes. They can be essentially steady, due to non-axisymmetric intake duct geometry, or time varying, for example from flow separation off the lip of the inlet during maneuvers or shock-induced separation during supersonic flight. Whatever the cause, the result is generally a decrease in performance and, more importantly, a lessening of the stable flow range of the compressor. The distortions are generally three-dimensional. It is an extremely useful simplification to break them, at least conceptually, into radial and circumferential non-uniformities and approach each separately. Purely radial distortions can be treated by the methods that were developed for designing compressors in nominally axisymmetric inlet flow, and this type of distortion will be only briefly discussed. Circumferential non-uniformities, however, introduce additional fluid dynamic features into the analysis of compressor behavior and often have the larger impact on performance and stability. Thus we concentrate mainly on the effects of steady circumferential inlet flow distortion.

J. P. Longley↗

NASA NTRS2003

Task IV: Development of Circumferential Inlet Distortion through a Representative Eleven Stage High-speed Axial Compressor

The concepts and the procedure developed in Task I and Task III were used to determine the response of an eleven-stage high-speed compressor to an inlet distortion of 180 deg. circumferential extent for contrasting against its performance under uniform inlet flow. Using the computed results at the inlet to and outlet of the compressor, the computed total pressure ratio and efficiency for the clean condition are determined to be 14.22 and 76.9 percent respectively. As for the distorted case, these are determined to be 10.35 and 71.8 percent respectively, showing deterioration 76.9 percent vs 71.8 percent). The physical consistency of the computed flow field was assessed as a means of demonstrating the applicability and utility of the body force representation for inlet distortion computations. Specifically the computed evolution of the distorted pattern in static pressure and total pressure from compressor inlet to exit is examined. For the eleven-stage compressor examined here, the deterioration in performance has been found to be particularly severe in the last 2 stages. This suggests that the last two stages could be redesigned to alleviate the observed deterioration thus making the compressor performance insensitive to circumferential inlet distortion. This can potentially be accomplished by first determining what should the body force distribution of the last two stages should be to achieve minimal or no deterioration in performance in the last two stages. One can then in principle proceed to determine the blade design to yield such a body force distribution.

Tan, Choon-Sooi↗

NASA NTRS2022

High Speed Inlet Distortion Test for the X 59 Low Boom Flight Demonstrator in the NASA Glenn 8-by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel

The Low Boom Flight Demonstrator (LBFD) High Speed Inlet Distortion Test (HSIDT) was completed in the NASA Glenn Research Center 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel (8x6 SWT) using a 9.5 percent-scale propulsion model of the X–59 to evaluate the compatibility and operability of the inlet and engine integration, focusing on the inlet dynamic effects at the engine face. The model was instrumented with steady-state and high-response total pressure probes in the conventional 40-point, equal-area array at the aerodynamic interface plane (AIP). The HSIDT successfully collected high response distortion data points for the X–59 from Mach = 0 to 1.55 for a wide range of angle-of-attack, angle-of-sideslip, and inlet flow. Analyses showed that inlet dynamic distortion and inlet planar wave (or inlet buzz) were within engine limits through most of the flight envelope. The test data showed that inlet planar wave was present at Mach 1.35 and above, at airflows between idle and maximum engine airflow. Engine throttle back will need to be limited when decelerating from supersonic flight Mach to avoid these regions of inlet planar wave. The HSIDT data was also used to compare the metric SUM40, computed from the 40 high-response AIP total pressure probes, with the metric SUM4, computed from four high-response inlet static pressure probes. The data showed that SUM4 can be used as a surrogate for SUM40 during the X–59 flight test to detect inlet planar wave.

X-59↗

NASA NTRS1996

Dynamic Inlet Distortion Prediction with a Combined Computational Fluid Dynamics and Distortion Synthesis Approach

A procedure has been developed for predicting peak dynamic inlet distortion. This procedure combines Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and distortion synthesis analysis to obtain a prediction of peak dynamic distortion intensity and the associated instantaneous total pressure pattern. A prediction of the steady state total pressure pattern at the Aerodynamic Interface Plane is first obtained using an appropriate CFD flow solver. A corresponding inlet turbulence pattern is obtained from the CFD solution via a correlation linking root mean square (RMS) inlet turbulence to a formulation of several CFD parameters representative of flow turbulence intensity. This correlation was derived using flight data obtained from the NASA High Alpha Research Vehicle flight test program and several CFD solutions at conditions matching the flight test data. A distortion synthesis analysis is then performed on the predicted steady state total pressure and RMS turbulence patterns to yield a predicted value of dynamic distortion intensity and the associated instantaneous total pressure pattern.

Norby, W. P.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Estimating Engine Airflow in Gas-Turbine Powered Aircraft with Clean and Distorted Inlet Flows

The P404-GF-400 Powered F/A-18A High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) was used to examine the impact of inlet-generated total-pressure distortion on estimating levels of engine airflow. Five airflow estimation methods were studied. The Reference Method was a fan corrected airflow to fan corrected speed calibration from an uninstalled engine test. In-flight airflow estimation methods utilized the average, or individual, inlet duct static- to total-pressure ratios, and the average fan-discharge static-pressure to average inlet total-pressure ratio. Correlations were established at low distortion conditions for each method relative to the Reference Method. A range of distorted inlet flow conditions were obtained from -10 deg. to +60 deg. angle of attack and -7 deg. to +11 deg. angle of sideslip. The individual inlet duct pressure ratio correlation resulted in a 2.3 percent airflow spread for all distorted flow levels with a bias error of -0.7 percent. The fan discharge pressure ratio correlation gave results with a 0.6 percent airflow spread with essentially no systematic error. Inlet-generated total-pressure distortion and turbulence had no significant impact on the P404-GE400 engine airflow pumping. Therefore, a speed-flow relationship may provide the best airflow estimate for a specific engine under all flight conditions.

Williams, J. G.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Effects of inlet distortion on the development of secondary flows in a subsonic axial inlet compressor rotor

Detailed flow measurements were taken inside an isolated axial compressor rotor operating subsonically near peak efficiency. Laser anemometer measurements were made with two inlet velocity profiles. One profile consisted of an unmodified baseline flow, and the second profile was distorted by placing axisymmetric screens on the hub and shroud well upstream of the rotor. A primary flow is defined in the rotor and deviations from this primary flow for each inlet flow condition identified. A comparison between the two flow deviations is made to assess the development of a passage vortex due to the distortion of the inlet flow. A comparison of experimental results with computational predictions from a Navier-Stokes solver showed good agreement between predicted and measured flow. Measured results indicate that a distorted inlet profile has minimal effect on the development of the flow in the rotor passage and the resulting passage vortex.

Owen, Albert K.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Inlet distortion in engines on VSTOL aircraft

This report presents the results of a research program on inlet distortion in engines on VSTOL aircraft carried out at the MIT Gas Turbine Laboratory during the period Oct. 1989 - Dec. 1993. The program focused on the development of three dimensional flow computational methodology for predicting the effects of nonuniform flow on the performance of aircraft engines in VSTOL aircraft, the development of a three dimensional instability analysis of flow in multistage axial compressors, and the preliminary applications of these newly developed methodologies for elucidating the effects of flow three dimensionality. The accomplishments of the program are brought out when the current status of predictive capabilities for three dimensional flow instabilities in compressors is assessed against that in 1989.

Tan, Choon S.↗