Laser velocimetry for turbofan inlet distortion applications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess state-of-the-art techniques for quantifying flow distortion in the inlets of turbofan engines, particularly with respect to the prospects for future flight applications. Design/methodology/approach To adequately characterize the flow fields of complex a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aircraft engineering 2020-01, Vol.92 (1), p.20-26
Main Author: Lowe, K. Todd
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Airframes
Cameras
Distortion
Doppler effect
Engine inlets
Flow distortion
Flow velocity
Iodine
Laboratories
Lasers
Light
Particle image velocimetry
Rayleigh scattering
Spectrum allocation
Turbofan engines
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Summary:Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess state-of-the-art techniques for quantifying flow distortion in the inlets of turbofan engines, particularly with respect to the prospects for future flight applications. Design/methodology/approach To adequately characterize the flow fields of complex aircraft inlet distortions, the author has incorporated laser velocimetry techniques, namely, stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (PIV) and Doppler velocimetry based on filtered Rayleigh scattering (FRS), into inlet distortion studies. Findings Overall, the results and experience indicate that the pathway for integration of FRS technologies into flight systems is clearer and more robust than that of PIV. Practical implications While always a concern, the topic of inlet distortion has grown in importance as contemporary airframe designers seek extremely compact and highly integrated inlets. This research offers a means for gaining new understanding of the in situ aerodynamic phenomena involved with complex inlet distortion. Originality/value This paper presents unique applications of turbofan inlet velocimetry methods while providing an original assessment of technological challenges involved with progressing advanced velocimetry techniques for flight measurements.
ISSN:1748-8842
1758-4213
DOI:10.1108/AEAT-11-2018-0285