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Analysis of the impact of key similarity criteria numbers of TBCC inlet during the mode transition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 October 2024

L. Chen Open the ORCID record for L. Chen [Opens in a new window] ,
Y. Zhang Open the ORCID record for Y. Zhang [Opens in a new window] ,
Y.X. Xu ,
Z.Y. Wang Open the ORCID record for Z.Y. Wang [Opens in a new window] ,
H.J. Tan  and
H.C. Xue Open the ORCID record for H.C. Xue [Opens in a new window]
L. Chen
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Aerodynamics in Multiple Flow Regimes, China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center, Mianyang 621000, P.R. China College of Energy and Power Engineering, Key Laboratory of Inlet and Exhaust System Technology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, P.R. China
Y. Zhang*
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Aerodynamics in Multiple Flow Regimes, China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center, Mianyang 621000, P.R. China College of Energy and Power Engineering, Key Laboratory of Inlet and Exhaust System Technology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, P.R. China
Y.X. Xu
Affiliation:
College of Energy and Power Engineering, Key Laboratory of Inlet and Exhaust System Technology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, P.R. China
Z.Y. Wang
Affiliation:
College of Energy and Power Engineering, Key Laboratory of Inlet and Exhaust System Technology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, P.R. China
H.J. Tan*
Affiliation:
College of Energy and Power Engineering, Key Laboratory of Inlet and Exhaust System Technology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, P.R. China
H.C. Xue
Affiliation:
College of Energy and Power Engineering, Key Laboratory of Inlet and Exhaust System Technology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, P.R. China
*
Corresponding authors: Y. Zhang; Email: [email protected]; H.J. Tan; Email: [email protected]
Corresponding authors: Y. Zhang; Email: [email protected]; H.J. Tan; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

A simplified configuration was developed to facilitate the mode transition process within an over-under Turbine-Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) inlet. Leveraging dynamic mesh technology, an unsteady numerical simulation of the mode transition was conducted, emphasising the flow characteristics of the mode transition and the impact of key similarity criteria numbers. The findings indicate that at an incoming Mach number of 2.0, the mode transition is paired with a continuous alteration in the capture mass flow of the high-speed duct. This continual change instigates the inlet unstarting, with subsequent flow characteristics being contingent on the historical effect, exhibiting a degree of hysteresis characteristics. When the scale effect is considered, it is observed that a larger model scale results in higher Reynolds (Re) and Strouhal (St) numbers. This directly contributes to a notable delay in the unstart moment, a decrease in the unstart interval, and an enlargement of the hysteresis loop. An examination of control variables reveals that the Re number marginally influences mode transition characteristics, while the St number’s effect constitutes approximately 90% of the scale effect. This conclusively demonstrates that the St number is the predominant similarity criterion number in the mode transition process.

Keywords

over-under TBCC inletmode transitionsimilar criteriondynamic meshscale effect
Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 129 , Issue 1332 , February 2025 , pp. 395 - 410
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Royal Aeronautical Society

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