Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-sh8wx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-24T19:21:14.041Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Fuel sensitivity analyses for active drag reduction systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2016

T. M. Young
T. M. Young*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, University of Limerick, Ireland
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Active drag reduction systems, such as hybrid laminar flow control (HLFC), have the potential for significant fuel savings; however, this is at the expense of an increase in aircraft weight and engine power off-take. A computer program – capable of accurately determining the trip fuel for a given mission profile – has been developed. The program was validated against manufacturer’s payload-range data, and then modified to emulate the installation of an active drag reduction system, by incorporating changes to the drag polars, specific fuel consumption (SFC) data and operating empty weight (OEW). Results of sensitivity studies are presented that enable the reduction in trip fuel to be determined for given changes in CD, SFC and OEW. The underlying assumption of linear independence of the three parameters is explored. The linearised method was observed to underestimate the fuel savings of the HLFC aircraft by approximately 0·6% compared to an analysis which took into account the coupling between the parameters. A mathematical relationship has been established to estimate the impact on cruise fuel burn arising from relative changes to the aircraft’s mass, lift-to-drag ratio and SFC.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 108 , Issue 1082 , April 2004 , pp. 215 - 221
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2004 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Joslin, R.D. Overview of laminar flow control, NASA TP-1998-208705, Langley Research Center, October 1998.Google Scholar
2. Warsop, C. Current status and prospects for turbulent flow control, CEAS/DragNet European Drag Reduction Conference, Potsdam, 19-21 June 2000, Notes on numerical fluid mechanics, Thiede, P. (Ed), 2001, 76, pp 269–277, Berlin: Springer-Verlag.Google Scholar
3. Boeing, . High reynolds number hybrid laminar flow control (HLFC) flight experiment, NASA CR-1999-209325/CR-1999-209326, Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, April 1999.Google Scholar
4. Schrauf, G. and Kühn, W. Future needs and laminar flow technology, Fourth Community Aeronautical Days Conference, Hamburg, 29-31 January 2001, Proceedings in Air & Space Europe, 3, (3/4), pp 98–100.Google Scholar
5. Young, T.M. and Fielding, J.P. Potential fuel savings due to hybrid laminar flow control under operational conditions, Aeronaut J, 2001, 105, (1052), pp 581–588.Google Scholar
6. Young, T.M. Investigations into the Operational Effectiveness of Hybrid Laminar Flow Control Aircraft, PhD Thesis, October 2002, Supervisor: J.P. Fielding, College of Aeronautics, Cranfield University.Google Scholar
7. Shustrov, Y.M. ‘Starting mass’ – a complex criterion of quality for aircraft on-board systems, J Aircr Design, 1998, 1, pp 193–203.Google Scholar
8. Cranfield University. Analysis of the fuel penalties of airframe systems, Lecture note DAeT 95122, College of Aeronautics, Cranfield University. (Unpublished).Google Scholar
9. Le Claire, R. Energy management fuel weight penalty of aircraft systems, BAe-KSE-R-GEN-1334, BAe Kingston-Upon-Thames, June 1986. (Cited in Cranfield University lecture note DAeT 95122).Google Scholar