ANALYSIS OF AEROPROPULSION TEST FACILITY AERODYNAMIC AND STRUCTURAL ISSUES USING COMPRESSION SYSTEM NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS

摘要

Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) is the most advanced and largest complex of flight simulation test facilities in the world. The center operates 43 aerodynamic and propulsion wind tunnels, rocket and turbine engine test cells, space environmental chambers, arc heaters, ballistic ranges and other specialized units. Over the years since these facilities have been operational, there have been a series of operational issues that have arisen involving compression system performance or the effect of compressor operability on facility performance or structural integrity. This paper presents three cases where ground test facilities have experienced some form of compression system performance issue or a test article's abnormal operation such as surge cycles effect on facility structural or operational capability. In each case, the analysis engineer trying to figure out what might be the cause or the effect of these abnormal operations on facility operation is hampered by the lack of proper instrumentation that would provide insight into the issue. In these types of situation, it has been shown that some form of numerical simulation can provide great insight into possible causes and even suggest solutions to the observed anomaly. This paper highlights where a specific numerical simulation based upon one-dimensional physics and its application to parallel compressor theory has been applied to the analysis of three aerospace facility compression system issues.