Research On Aerodynamic Interference Between Propeller And Engine Nacelle/Intake

The numerical simulation of the integrated design of propeller, spinner, nacelle and intake was performed. Then numerical simulation of a variable-pitch 6-blade propeller and same profile of the nacelle/intake was conducted. All of these are for the reference of the design of nacelle/intake in turboprop plane.Firstly, the simulation of a 2-blade fixed-pitch propeller was conducted. The aerodynamic performance was studied under different advance ratios, different velocities of incoming flow and different rotation speed. The result shows that when the advance ratio is fixed, the higher the rotation speed and the velocity of incoming flow are, the higher the mechanical characteristics of the propeller are, the efficiency increases at first and then decreases. When taken the angle of attack into consideration, the asymmetric thrust is generated.Secondly, the simulation of the configuration with propeller of nacelle/intake was performed. The performances of propeller with and without the nacelle/intake were compared. The integral distribution of static pressure of the nacelle cowling was analyzed under various propeller conditions while keeping the intake outlet in free outflow, and several sections were cut in order to analyze the distribution of static pressure coefficient on them.Then the consequence of the aerodynamic interface plane of the intake was studied under various outlet mach numbers and velocities of incoming flow. The result indicates: the variation of total pressure recovery depends on the status of the intake while the outlet mach number varies in the case of the adopted configuration of nacelle/intake at present.Eventually, the configuration of the same profile of spinner and cowling and a variable-pitch 6-blade propeller was simulated. The aerodynamic characteristics of the propeller, the nacelle and intake were studied. The result shows: the nacelle cowl of the combination maintains the cowling suction consistent during the whole cruise condition. Due to the downstream suction of the intake, the total pressure recovery decreases and increases respectively in takeoff and cruising condition.