Inlet total pressure non-uniformities in axial flow fans and compressors can contribute to the loss of component structural integrity through high cycle fatigue (HCF) induced by the excitation of blade vibratory modes. As previous research has shown total pressure distortion to be the dominant HCF driver in aero engines [Manwaring et al, 1997], an understanding of its transfer through, and impact on, subsequent turbomachine stages and engine components is an important topic for assessment. Since current modeling techniques allow for total pressure distortion magnitudes to be directly related to blade vibratory response, the prediction of downstream distortion patterns from an upstream measurement would allow for the inference of the vibratory response of downstream blade rows to an inlet total pressure distortion. Nonlinear Volterra theory can be used to model any periodic nonlinear system as an infinite sum of multidimensional convolution integrals. A semi-empirical model has been developed using this theory by assuming that a distortion waveform is a periodic signal that is being presented to a nonlinear system, the compressor being the system. The use of Volterra theory in nonlinear system modeling relies on the proper identification of the Volterra kernels, which make up the transfer function that defines the system's impulse response characteristics. Once the kernels of a system are properly identified, the system's response can be calculated for any arbitrary input. This model extracts these kernels from upstream and downstream total pressure distortion measurements of a transonic rotor of modern design. The resulting transfer function is then applied to predict distortion transfer at new operating points on the same rotor and compared with the measured data. The judicious choice of distortion measurement data allows predictions of the downstream distortion content based on a measured non-uniform inlet flow at conditions different from those at which the transfer function was derived. This allows for the determination of downstream total pressure distortion that has the potential to excite blade vibratory modes that could lead to HCF under operating conditions other than those at which the data was taken, such as varying inlet distortion patterns, mass flow settings, rotational speeds, and inlet geometry. This report presents the creation of a Volterra model in order to predict distortion transfer in axial flow fans and compressors. This model, in three variations, is applied to a variety of distortions and compressor operating conditions as measured in the ADLARF tests at the Compressor Research Facility. Predictions are compared with data from the test and final results are also compared with two previous studies conducted at Virginia Tech using the same experimental data. Using the Volterra model it is shown that, with appropriate limitations, distortion transfer can be predicted for flow conditions different from those used for calibration. The model is considered useful for both performance and HCF investigations. / Master of Science

The rising interest in fan performance in the presence of total pressure distortion, a topic of fundamental interest for integrated airframe/engine architectures, has led to increased research in ground based testing environments. Included in these studies is the generation of simulated total pressure distortion profiles using wire mesh screens. Although the inlet duct development of total pressure distortion patterns has been studied in a historical context when distortion effects on engine performance were first of interest, these were typically simplified experimental studies for low-speed flows. To aid in the understanding of total pressure distortion development approaching a transonic fan face, a series of experiments were conducted to detail the development of such a profile downstream of the screen plane in the absence and presence of fan effects. Presented is an extensive experimental set to detail (1) the evolution of a screen-generated total pressure distortion profile as it develops in a constant diameter inlet duct and (2) the effect that a single stage transonic fan has on the distortion development. Included is a detailed analysis of the distortion profile characteristics for increasing development length, and the behavioral changes of the profile when fan blockage is present near the screen plane. Recommendations are made regarding the placement of total pressure distortion screens relative to the fan face, and insights are given into the expected profile evolution. This work is a contributing part of an ongoing systematic investigation of fan performance when subjected to screen-generated total pressure inlet distortion. / Master of Science

No description available.

This master thesis deals with design of a subsonic intake which is used to supply small jet engine integrate into the fuselage of agile small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Some kinds of these intakes are listed in order to inspire and introduce future designers into this part of jet plane design. This thesis contains a small amount of theory about compressible flow, and necessary knowledge which are important to know before the very first attempt to design an intake. Two models were designed in order to prove that the theory listed in this thesis is useful and can be used as a guide in design process of subsonic intakes. Both designs have the same layout. S-duct design with one intake placed on the belly of fuselage was chosen. After CFD analysis of first model it was found that there are huge area with separated flow and vortex. Separated flow leads to big total pressure loss and pressure distortion. While designing the second model the emphasis was to avoid this vortex and improve flow conditions. This optimization was success and the second design have smaller pressure loss in compare to the first design. The difference is more than 50% at fly speed M=0,8.