Aero Engine Axi-Symmetric Convergent-Constant Area Intake 3D Simulation Using a Panel Method Approach

Abstract

This study has been carried out as a part of a general effort to develope a powerful simulation code, based on the Vortex Lattice Method (VLM), capable of simulating adequately accurate and comparatively fast, internal flow regimes. It utilizes a convergent – (nearly) constant area axi-symmetric intake three dimensional geometry, emerged as a surface of revolution from the CFM56-5B2 lower lip geometry. The study focuses on the three most critical planes, which are the inlet of the intake, the outlet of the diverging section and the outlet of the intake. Moreover, the sensitivity of the simulation on the variation of the Angle Of Attack (AOA) is tested for four different settings equally spaced, ranging from 0 to 20 degrees. The comparison is carried out on both two-dimensional velocity distributions and average values. The VLM simulation code was based on an existing code, which was modified in order to be adapted to the Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes (RANS) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) boundary conditions.