Date of Award

5-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Sciences

First Advisor

Vernon Gordon

Second Advisor

Maureen Nardo

Third Advisor

Jennifer Long

Fourth Advisor

David Fleming

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to develop an analytical-numerical solution for the engine bay cooling airflow in a representative helicopter based on the Augusta-Westland 101, and evaluate the performance of a novel rotating scoop cowling on the airflow. The methodology was created in PythonTM. Results obtained via the analytical method were compared against a CFD model constructed with Ansys® at a hover, 50 fps forward flight, and 250 feet per second forward flight using a k−ε turbulence model. Performance of the rotating scoop was compared to that of a conventional inlet orifice and fixed scoop in a similar airspeed range. Control volumes representing engine bay segments were established and linked using common variables. A Python script reduced the equations, and iteratively solved each for the inlet air velocity and mass flow. Further work is required to fully develop the analytical model. However, inlet airspeed for the hovering-case open orifice was within 7.7 percent of CFD results, and mass flow for the hovering-case fixed scoop was within 11 percent of CFD results. The novel rotating scoop matched the ability of the fixed scoop to augment bay airflow in forward flight, while increasing the flow through the bay by 95 percent versus an orifice in a hover.

Download

Share

COinS