COMP1602_Natural Laminar Flow Nacelles Lip in Composite

Turbulence significantly affects the aerodynamic drag of aircraft. Reducing its impact can result in substantial economic benefits to the aerospace industry and to the public, principally in terms of reduced fuel consumption and, therefore, lower operational costs. One of the main causes of turbulence, on an engine nacelle, is the presence of surface imperfections: gaps between metal plates, roughness, ice formations, rivets. This project will examine how these surface imperfections affect the generation of turbulence, and what manufacturing tolerances are required to delay the onset of turbulence, thereby decreasing the aerodynamic drag. This will be achieved through a combination of high fidelity numerical models of the flow over the nacelle, combined with the development of simplified models to be transitioned to the industrial partner.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ugo Piomelli;Jeff Defoe;Jeffrey Defoe

Student:

Partner:

Bombardier Aerospace Inc (Montreal, QC);Pratt & Whitney Canada

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing; Transportation and warehousing

University:

Queen's University; University of Windsor

Program: