A01: Experimental methodology for aircraft flow losses

Discipline Aerodynamics

Project A01 will design and realize a high-fidelity, medium scale wind tunnel experiment, including an exchangeable rear fuselage with force measurement and Electric Propulsor Simulators (EPS) for SynTrac’s 1a configuration. In close cooperation with projects A02, C03 and B04 the data generated with the model in the Propulsion Test Facility (PTF) tunnel will be used to validate the Power Balance method and thus help to close gap in thrust-drag bookkeeping for highly integrated propulsion systems. This will allow for full consideration and assessment of new airframe-to-propulsion interface technologies such as BLI, thrust vectoring and heat management.

Motivation

Highly integrated propulsion concepts do require new approaches and models in thrust-drag-bookkeeping and power distribution to account for future interface effects such as:

  • Aerodynamic interactions between airframe and propulsor occurring from e.g. BLI and thrust vectoring.
  • New physical mechanisms e.g. power system waste heat distribution via the propulsor
  • An accurate description and accounting of the fluidic and mechanical energy in- and output of the gas-path of the integrated propulsor is required (in cooperation with A02)

Objective

  • Provide a detailed wind-tunnel model design and unique tailored instrumentation for experiments including 180°-BLI with active rear fuselage and integrated force measurement.
  • Design and operation of active Electric Propulsor Simulators (EPS) including Aerodynamic Interface Plane (AIP) instrumentation
  • Supply thrust-drag- and power-bookkeeping information for SynTrac in close cooperation with projects A02.
  • Experimental data will be in addition to the intensive exchange with A02 delivered to B01, B04 and C03 for loss accounting in closely coupled airframe-engine configurations.

Approach

The project focuses on the conceptual design and development of a full modular model, incorporating two 180° BLI propulsors. Collaboration with projects A02, B04, and C03 is integral to this endeavor. Additionally, the design and manufacture of an electric propulsor, including customized rotating rakes for flow energy measurement, is undertaken. The wing-body design, manufacture, and instrumentation aspect encompass a modular design with a 6-axes balance and intake integration from C03, alongside a static pressure array. The commissioning, testing, and data evaluation phase involves conducting test campaigns to generate datasets for comparison with A02’s model, followed by detailed data collection in subsequent campaigns.

Role in SynTrac

  • Model design and exchange, interface specification and data post-processing in close cooperation with A03 and A02.
  • Fan data from B04 to be scaled as far as possible for EPS.
  • Intake geometry from C03.
  • Experimental results to A02, B01, B04, C03.

All people involved in the project "A01: Experimental methodology for aircraft flow losses"