Publication Date

2017

Document Type

Thesis

Committee Members

Robert Fyffe (Other), Rory Roberts (Advisor), Rolf Sondergaard (Committee Member), Mitch Wolff (Committee Member)

Degree Name

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)

Abstract

Next generation aircraft (especially combat aircraft) will include more technology and capability than ever before. This increase in technology comes at the price of higher electrical power requirements and increased waste heat that must be removed from components to avoid overheating induced shutdowns. To help combat the resulting power and thermal management problem, a vehicle level power and thermal management design and optimization toolset was developed in MATLAB®/Simulink®. A dynamic model of a three-stream variable cycle engine was desired to add to the capabilities of the power and thermal management toolset. As an intermediate step to this goal, the dynamic mixed-flow turbofan engine model previously developed for the toolset was modified with an afterburner, a variable geometry nozzle, and a new controller to automatically control the new components. The new afterburning turbofan engine model was tested for a notional mission profile both with and without power take-off. This testing showed that the afterburning turbofan engine model and controller were successful enough to justify moving on to the development of the three-stream variable cycle engine model. The variable cycle engine model was developed using the components of the afterburning turbofan model. The compressor and turbine components were modified to use maps that incorporate the effects of variable inlet guide vane angles. The new engine model and components were sized by attempting to match data from a Numerical Propulsion System Simulation model with similar architecture. A previously developed heat exchanger model was added to the third stream duct of the new engine model. Finally, a new simplified controller was developed for the variable cycle engine model based on the controller developed for the afterburning turbofan model. The new variable cycle engine model was tested for a notional mission profile for five cases. The first case operated the engine model without power take-off and with the third stream heat exchanger removed. The second case added shaft power take-off. The third and fourth cases did away with the power take-off and added the heat exchanger to the engine model with two different hot-side mass flow rate conditions. The fifth case tested the engine with both power take-off and the third stream heat exchanger. The results were promising, showing that the variable cycle engine model had variable cycle tendencies even with a minimum of controlled variable geometry features. The controller was found to be effective, though in need of upgrades to take advantage of the benefits offered by a variable cycle engine. Additionally, it was found that both power take-off and heat rejection to the third stream impact the entire engine cycle.

Page Count

86

Department or Program

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Year Degree Awarded

2017

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