Coupled Viscous/Inviscid Analysis of Powered-Lift Airfoils and Wings

This proposal is in response to NASA SBIR Topic A2.08 in the area of "Variable Fidelity, Physics-Based Design/Analysis Tools". The development of a coupled viscous/inviscid analysis tool for powered-lift airfoils and wings is presented. In this context, powered-lift airfoils are taken to be airfoils under the influence of a high-energy jet, and include jet-flaps, augmenter-flaps, upper surface blowing, and circulation control airfoils. This methodology consists of coupling a viscous jet analysis, using a finite-difference approach, with a potential flow panel calculation. The method uses an iterative procedure to capture the effects of viscous mixing and determine the correct jet shape. The goal in developing 2-D powered-lift predictions is to couple this analysis with a pre-existing modified Weissinger method to accurately predict 3-D wing performance based on sectional data. In this manner, high-lift wing characteristics can be determined at a fraction of the computational cost of CFD. An MDAO framework for aircraft-level optimization will be developed with the goal of integrating the powered-lift analysis such that ESTOL concepts and technologies can be incorporated at the conceptual and preliminary design stages.

Non-NASA Commercial Applications would be similar in nature to the NASA Commercial Applications addressed above.

This tool would have immediate application in NASA MDO toolkits. It would also serve as a useful resource in analysis of unconventional systems and allow for parametric design studies of powered-lift systems. AVID's experience in software development with easy-to-use, intuitive graphical interfaces would also make this product a viable commercial quantity. Potential customers include small-business UAV companies, engineering analysis and design groups, and universities.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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