Design and Application of a Multidisciplinary Predesign Process for Novel Engine Concepts

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present a multidisciplinary predesign process and its application to three aero-engine models. First, a twin spool mixed flow turbofan engine model is created for validation purposes. The second and third engine models investigated comprise future engine concepts: a counter rotating open rotor (CROR) and an ultrahigh bypass turbofan. The turbofan used for validation is based on publicly available reference data from manufacturing and emission certification. At first, the identified interfaces and constraints of the entire predesign process are presented. An important factor of complexity in this highly iterative procedure is the intricate data flow, as well as the extensive amount of data transferred between all involved disciplines and among different fidelity levels applied within the design phases. To cope with the inherent complexity, data modeling techniques have been applied to explicitly determine required data structures of those complex systems. The resulting data model characterizing the components of a gas turbine and their relationships in the design process is presented in detail. Based on the data model, the entire engine predesign process is presented. Starting with the definition of a flight mission scenario and resulting top level engine requirements, thermodynamic engine performance models are developed. By means of these thermodynamic models, a detailed engine component predesign is conducted. The aerodynamic and structural design of the engine components are executed using a stepwise increase in level of detail and are continuously evaluated in context of the overall engine system.

System Architecture Optimization: An Open Source Multidisciplinary Aircraft Jet Engine Architecting Problem

“…From which shaft is power extracted for generating electricity? If in addition more innovative engine concepts are considered, questions might also include [14,15]: is an intercooler added and where in the cycle [16,17] (see Fig. 3)?…”

Parametric Datamodel for Collaborative Preliminary Aircraft Engine Design

“…The entire architecture of the developed collaborative process and the applied software tools are summarized in Refs. [3,28]. The final 3-D geometry of the turbofan engine, which was generated entirely from the information of the central data model, is shown in Fig.…”

“…Especially the high degree of freedom in the early design phases inevitably implies that many iterations are performed for a given engine design [2]. This multidisciplinary, collaborative, and highly iterative process is handled by a large number of participants, tools and workflows, and most importantly requires an efficient and consistent infrastructure to transfer data and information [3]. The transition to the detailed design or full production design and vice versa is also of great importance.…”

Sustainability Assessment and Engineering of Emerging Aircraft Technologies—Challenges, Methods and Tools

“…Different approaches have been developed in the past that capture these challenges. The approaches comprise among other things such as software programs [33], multidisciplinary design and analysis (MDA) environments (e.g., [32,[34][35][36][37]), multidimensional frameworks to enhance collaboration and synchronisation between separated disciplines [38], as well as processes to support multidisciplinary virtual design and assessment [39]. Current research fosters the realisation of highly integrated, multidisciplinary design environments [40].…”