Experimental investigation of flow characteristics and performance parameters of a podded aft engine air intake

Abstract

This experimental study investigates the flow characteristics and performance parameters of a podded intake in aft-engine configuration at the aerodynamic interface plane (AIP), which is a typical configuration of a generic twin-engine regional jet aircraft. A scaled model aircraft with the port side hollow nacelle is equipped with total pressure rakes positioned exactly at the AIP to obtain the total pressure recovery and distortion. Multiple flight configurations (landing, take-off, and climb-out) with varying angle of attack (AoA) and side slip angle (SSA) are considered; attention has been paid to those with undesirable effects to the flow approaching the engine, by deploying flaps, slats, spoilers, and landing gear compartment. The mass flow rate and thus the mach number at the AIP is adjusted by changing the size of the exhaust nozzle. The Reynolds number dissimilarity is partially compensated by transition band application on the fuselage as well as engine inlet.

Keywords

• podded air intake
• wind tunnel testing
• regional jet aircraft
• aerodynamic interface plane