José C. Páscoa

Two-dimensional numerical modeling of interaction of micro-shock wave generated by nanosecond plasma actuators and transonic flow

Abstract The influence of nanosecond pulse-driven, surface-mounted dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) actuators on a transonic flow is studied numerically. An airfoil representing turbomachinery blades in transonic flow is considered as a test case. A two-dimensional fluid model of DBD is used to describe the plasma dynamics. The model couples fluid discharge equations with compressible Navier–Stokes equations. Simulations were conducted with an airfoil of NACA 3506 profile in a transonic condition of M = 0.75 . When a nanosecond pulse voltage is used, with a rise and a decay time of the order of nanoseconds, a significant amount of energy is transferred in a short time from the plasma to the fluid, which leads to the formation of micro-shock waves and therefore to the modification of flow features. Moreover, a plasma energy deposition model is developed and presented by using the results of the plasma discharge model.

A critical review of propulsion concepts for modern airships

After a few decades in which airships have been depromoted to the level of being only considered as a mere curiosity they seem now to reappear. The main reasons for this are related to the recent progress in technology of materials, aerodynamics, energy and propulsion. Airships are also presenting themselves as green friendly air vehicles, in particular if solar powered airships are considered. Their ability to remain aloft for long time periods have also expanded the range of mission profiles for which they are suited. Herein we have concentrated on a critical overview of propulsion mechanisms for airships. These include a detailed overview of past, present, and future enabling technologies for airship propulsion. Diverse concepts are revisited and the link between the airship geometry and flight mechanics is made for diverse propulsion system mechanisms.

A review of thrust-vectoring in support of a V/STOL non-moving mechanical propulsion system

The advantages associated to Vertical Short-Take-Off and Landing (V/STOL) have been demonstrated since the early days of aviation, with the initial technolology being based on airships and later on helicopters and planes. Its operational advantages are enormous, being it in the field of military, humanitarian and rescue operations, or even in general aviation. Helicopters have limits in their maximum horizontal speed and classic V/STOL airplanes have problems associated with their large weight, due to the implementation of moving elements, when based on tilting rotors or turbojet vector mechanical oriented nozzles. A new alternative is proposed within the European Union Project ACHEON (Aerial Coanda High Efficiency Orienting-jet Nozzle). The project introduces a novel scheme to orient the jet that is free of moving elements. This is based on a Coanda effect nozzle supported in two fluid streams, also incorporating boundary layer plasma actuators to achieve larger deflection angles. Herein we introduce a state-of-the-art review of the concepts that have been proposed in the framework of jet orienting propulsion systems. This review allows to demonstrate the advantages of the new concept in comparison to competing technologies in use at present day, or of competing technologies under development worldwide.

A pressure-based high resolution numerical method for resistive MHD

In the paper we describe in detail a numerical method for the resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations involving viscous flow and report the results of application to a number of typical MHD test cases. The method is of the finite volume type but mixes aspects of pressure-correction and density based solvers; the algorithm arrangement is patterned on the well-known PISO algorithm, which is a pressure method, while the flux computation makes use of the AUSM-MHD scheme, which originates from density based methods. Five groups of test cases are addressed to verify and validate the method. We start with two resistive MHD cases, namely the Shercliff and Hunt flow problems, which are intended to validate the method for low-speed resistive MHD flows. The remaining three test cases, namely the cloud-shock interaction, the MHD rotor and the MHD blast wave, are standard 2D ideal MHD problems that serve to validate the method under high-speed flow and complex interaction of MHD shocks. Finally, we demonstrate the method with a more complex application problem, and discuss results of simulation for a quasi-bi-dimensional self-field magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster, for which we study the effect of cathode length upon the electromagnetic nozzle performance.

Acheon Project: A Novel Vectoring Jet Concept

This paper presents a general overview of the ACHEON Project (EU FP7 Level 0 - Transport including Aeronautic).This project presents a novel dynamically controllable Coanda jet using two fluid streams to produce the angular deflection of the jet as a function of their momentum. A control system with electrostatic plasma is used to produce an effective and more precise control of the system.This paper presents the general guidelines of the project which is going to start and presents expected results.Copyright

Design methods of Coanda effect nozzle with two streams

This paper continues recent research of the authors about the ACHEON Coanda effect two streams nozzle. This nozzle aims to produce an effective deflection of a propulsive jet with a correspondent deviation of the thrust vector in a 2D plane. On the basis of a previously published mathematical model, based on integral equations, it tries to produce an effective design guideline, which can be adopted for design activities of the nozzle for aeronautic propulsion. The presented model allows defining a governing method for this innovative two stream synthetic jet nozzle. The uncertainness level of the model are discussed and novel aircraft architectures based on it are presented. A CFD validation campaign is produced focusing on validating the model and the designs produced.

Numerical modeling of coanda effect in a novel propulsive system

Coanda effect (adhesion of jet flow over curved surface) is fundamental characteristics of jet flow. In the present paper, we carried out numerical simulations to investigate Coanda flow over a curved surface and its application in a newly proposed Propulsive system “A.C.H.E.O.N” (Aerial Coanda High Efficiency Orienting jet Nozzle) which supports thrust vectoring. The ACHEON system is presently being proposed for propelling a new V/STOL airplane in European Union. This system is based on cumulative effects of three physical effects such as (1) High speed jet mixing speeds (2) Coanda effect control by electrostatic fields (3) Coanda effect adhesion of an high speed jet to a convex surface. The performance of this nozzle can be enhanced by increasing the jet deflection angle of synthetic jet over the Coanda surface. This newly proposed nozzle has wide range of applications. It can be used in industrial sector such as plasma spray gun and for direct injection in combustion chamber to enhance the efficiency of the combustion chamber. Also, we studied the effect of Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators on A.C.H.E.O.N system. Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators are active control devices for controlling boundary layer and to delay the flow separation over any convex surfaces. Computations were performed under subsonic condition. Two dimensional CFD calculations were carried out using Reynolds averaged Navier stokes equations (RANS). A numerical method based on finite volume formulation (FVM) was used. SST k-ω model was considered to model turbulent flow inside nozzle. DBD model was used to model the plasma. Moreover, a body force treatment was devised to model the effect of plasma and its coupling with the fluid. This preliminary result shows that, the presence of plasma near Coanda surface accelerates the flow and delays the separation and enhances the efficiency of the nozzle.

CFD Analysis and Optimization of a Variable Shape Airship

This paper presents the CFD simulation of a novel airship concept that can change the external volume and shape as a function of altitude. This novel concept of airship defined in the MAAT project (the project of a stratospheric cruiser/feeder airship) is necessary for two fundamental reasons: minimizing risks due to the use of hydrogen as buoyant gas and reducing the power necessity for propulsion. The unconventional feeder system has been analyzed from ground level up to 16,000 m, which the desired operative altitude of the cruiser.© 2012 ASME

A New Propelled Wing Aircraft Configuration

This paper investigates by an energetic approach possible new configurations of aircrafts, which can rival in low speed operations against helicopters. It starts from an effective energy balance of helicopters during fundamental operations: takeoff, horizontal flight, hovering, and landing. The energy state of a helicopter can be written as: E = ½ mV2 + mgh + ½ I ω2 (1) where m is mass of helicopter, I is total rotor inertia, ω is rotor rotational speed. By taking the partial derivative with respect to time of equation 1, the power is expressed as dE/dt = ΔP = mV dV/dt + mg dh/dt (2) By optimizing the energy balance of the helicopter a new aircraft configuration has been obtained that allow a very high lift even at very low speed, but drastically reducing the energy consumption during horizontal flight. The total power required is obtained by rotor power and overall efficiency factor (η) and HPreq total = η HPreq rotor. By equations (1) and (2) it has been produced a preliminary optimization in different operative conditions considering a speed range from 0.5 (hovering conditions) to 50 m/s. By an accurate balance of the results, it has been identified that the most disadvantageous situation for a helicopter is forward flight. A new powered wing architecture has been specifically studied for replicating the behaviour of helicopters. Preliminary it has been defined by starting from the energy equations the main characteristics of the propelled wing. From those numerical results it has been defined a new configuration of propelled wing and the new aircraft configuration which allow adequate performance against helicopter. Those wings take a large advantage of two not common features: symmetry with respect to a vertical axis and possibility of optimizing the shape for specific missions. It has been designed and optimized in different configurations by CFD. In particular, an accurate analysis of fluiddynamic of the system allows quantifying the different effects that allows realizing an extraordinary ratio between lift and thrust producing an effective vehicle that can rival against helicopter also at very low speeds with a morphing configuration that will be presented in the final paper because of patenting reasons. Results show that the proposed innovative aircraft configuration allows hovering and very low speed flight. In particular, the conditions and the design for this kind of operation are presented even if still in initial design stage. The presented aircraft architecture can also allow inverting the direction of motion just by inverting the direction of the thrust. In this case, it will allow overcoming completely the performances of helicopters. The energetic balance of flight has been evaluated and the advantages with respect to helicopters have been finally expressed with surprising results.

Analytical modeling of a cyclorotor in hovering state

In the paper it is proposed and described in detail a mathematical model that is able to assist in the design of cycloidal rotors. The method is formulated on a semi-empirical way including unsteady aerodynamic effects that are based on first principles. It is able to predict the overall generated thrust and the power required by the operation of the cycloidal rotor. The model also includes a kinematic package that can provide an instantaneous design and animation of the cycloidal rotor under different regimes of operation. For validation it was addressed three different rotor configurations where it was varied several rotor parameters, namely: pitch amplitude; pitching axis location; blade chord; airfoil thickness; phase angle of eccentricity. It was shown that the proposed model is able to provide a good estimation of thrust and power when compared with the experimental data from these different sources, showing that the semi-empirical approach could be applied in a more general way.