Effects of layer interactions on instantaneous stability of finite Stokes flows

The stability analysis of a finite Stokes layer is of practical importance in flow control. In the present work, the instantaneous stability of a finite Stokes layer with layer interactions is studied via a linear stability analysis of the frozen phases of the base flow. The oscillations of two plates can have different velocity amplitudes, initial phases, and frequencies. The effects of the Stokes-layer interactions on the stability when two plates oscillate synchronously are analyzed. The growth rates of two most unstable modes when δ < 0.12 are almost equal, and δ = δ*/h*, where δ*and h*are the Stokes-layer thickness and the half height of the channel, respectively. However, their vorticities are different. The vorticity of the most unstable mode is symmetric, while the other is asymmetric. The Stokes-layer interactions have a destabilizing effect on the most unstable mode when δ < 0.68, and have a stabilizing effect when δ > 0.68. However, the interactions always have a stabilizing effect on the other unstable mode. It is explained that one of the two unstable modes has much higher dissipation than the other one when the Stokes-layer interactions are strong. We also find that the stability of the Stokes layer is closely related to the inflectional points of the base-flow velocity profile. The effects of inconsistent velocity-amplitude, initial phase, and frequency of the oscillations on the stability are analyzed. The energy of the most unstable eigenvector is mainly distributed near the plate of higher velocity amplitude or higher oscillation frequency. The effects of the initial phase difference are complicated because the base-flow velocity is extremely sensitive to the initial phase.

A deformation criterion of pressurized non-circular cross-section cabin and its effects on cruise performance of BWB civil aircraft

Blended-Wing-Body(BWB)aircraft is promoted as one of the most possible layouts to achieve more sustainable civil aviation.Due to the non-circular cross-section of the center-body,a bulge deformation forms over the upper surface of the body under the coupled loads of the internal pressurization of the cabin and the aerodynamic bending moments of the wing,which reduces the lift-to-drag ratio of BWB aircraft.Under a limited deformation,the relationship between the aerodynamic performance and the structural weight needs to be studied.In this work,the effects of stiffness constraints on the center-body deformation,structural weight of the airframe and aerodynamic performance were investigated by using an analytical model of the Pultruded Rod Stitched Efficient Unitized Structure(PRSEUS)for the airframe and the computational fluid dynamics method,respectively.The results show that as the stiffness constraint increases,the spacings between the rod stringers and the frame stiffeners decrease,and the structural weight increases inversely.A 5.2% reduction of the lift-to-drag ratio is encountered at cruise for a medium deformation design of 42.8 mm/m.A higher aerodynamic penalty is suffered when the stiffness constraint is further released.The final deformation criterion is different when the weight vector of the aerodynamic performance and structural weight is different.

Assessment on critical technologies for conceptual design of blended-wing-body civil aircraft

Civil aviation faces great challenges because of its robust projected future growth and potential adverse environmental effects. The classical Tube-And-Wing(TAW) configuration following the Cayley’s design principles has been optimized to the architecture’s limit, which can hardly satisfy the further requirements on green aviation. By past decades’ investigations the BlendedWing-Body(BWB) concept has emerged as a potential solution, which can simultaneously fulfill metrics of noise, emission and fuel burn. The purpose of the present work is to analyze the developments of critical technologies for BWB conceptual design from a historical perspective of technology progress. It was found that the high aerodynamic efficiency of BWB aircraft can be well scaled by the mean aerodynamic chord and wetted aspect ratio, and should be realized with the trade-offs among stability and control and low-speed performance. The structure concepts of non-cylinder pressurized cabin are of high risks on weight prediction and weight penalty. A static stability criterion is recommended and further clear and adequate criteria are required by the evaluations of flying and handling qualities. The difficulties of propulsion and airframe integration are analyzed. The energy to revenue work ratios of well-developed BWB configurations are compared,which are 31.5% and 40% better than that of TAW, using state-of-art engine technology and future engine technology, respectively. Finally, further study aspects are advocated.

Effects of stability margin and thrust specific fuel consumption constrains on multi-disciplinary optimization for blended-wing-body design

Blended-Wing-Body(BWB) configuration, as an innovative transport concept, has become a worldwide research focus in the field of civil transports development. Relative to the conventional Tube-And-Wing(TAW) configuration, the BWB shows integrated benefits and serves as a most promising candidate for future ‘‘green aviation'. The objective of the present work is to figure out the effects of the stability margin and Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption(TSFC) on the BWB design in the framework of Multi-Disciplinary Optimization(MDO). A physically-based platform was promoted to study the effect static stability margin and engine technology level. Low-order physically based models are applied to the evaluation of the weight and the aerodynamic performance. The modules and methods are illustrated in detail, and the validation of the methods shows feasibility and confidence for the conceptual design of BWB aircrafts. In order to find out the relation between planform changes and the selection of stability and engine technology level, two sets of optimizations are conducted separately. The study proves that these two factors have dominant effects towards the optimized BWB designs in both aerodynamic shapes, weight distribution, which needs to be considered during the MDO design process. A balance diagram analysis is applied to find out a reasonable static stability margin range. It can be concluded that a recommended stability margin of a practical BWB commercial aircraft can be half of that of a conventional TAW design.

Nacelle-airframe integration design method for blended-wing-body transport with podded engines

Strong shock waves and flow separation often occur during the integration of nacelle and airframe for blended-wing-bodies with podded engines. To address this problem, this paper presents an integration method with numerical simulations. The philosophy of channeling flow and avoiding the throat effect on the nacelle and airframe is established based on the analysis of flow interference in the initial configuration. A parametric integration design method is proposed from twodimensional plane to three-dimensional space with control mechanisms and selection principles of the key parameters determined by their influences. Results show that strong shock waves and flow separation can be successfully eliminated under the influence of both the reshaped channel and decelerated inflow below the nacelle. Supersonic regions around the nacelle are effectively reduced, concentrating mainly on the lip position. Thus, a significant cruise drag reduction(8.7%) is achieved though the pressure drag of the nacelle increases.