Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Multidisciplinary conceptual design for aircraft with circulation control high-lift systems

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
CEAS Aeronautical Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Active high-lift technologies have often proven their potential in aerodynamic analyses and wind tunnel tests, but have so far played only a minute role in civil production aircraft. This is expected to change in the future only if such technologies can be accounted for early in the aircraft design process. In this paper, the adaptation of a conceptual design process is presented, enabling it to consider circulation control as a high-lift technology. It is shown that the main aerodynamic effects of a blown flap in the boundary layer control regime can be satisfactorily modeled with a potential theory method. Some sample results of the design process indicate a potential for significant reductions of required field length in comparison with today’s aircraft, creating the potential to increase the capacity of the air transportation system, without increasing overall aircraft mass or direct operating cost.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

A :

Cross-section area of BLC exit slot, in m²

A :

Speed of sound, in m/s

B :

Width, in m

C D0 :

3D zero-lift drag coefficient

C Di :

3D induced drag coefficient

c dF :

2D drag coefficient with flap extended

c dF0 :

2D drag coefficient without flap extension

C L :

3D lift coefficient

c l :

2D lift coefficient

C M :

3D pitching moment coefficient

\( C_{{{\upmu}}} \) :

3D blowing momentum coefficient

\( c_{{{\upmu}}} \) :

2D blowing momentum coefficient

c p :

Pressure coefficient

F F :

Wing reference area, in m²

i :

Counter over wing sections

j :

Index denoting parameters of the BLC jet

L/D :

Relation of lift to drag

\( \dot{m} \) :

Mass flow, in kg/s

Ma:

Mach number

p :

Static pressure, in Pa

\( p_{\text{T}} \) :

Total pressure, in Pa

q :

Dynamic pressure, in Pa

T :

Static temperature, in K

T T :

Total temperature, in K

t n :

Chord length normal to the wing leading edge, in m

V :

Velocity, in m/s

\( \alpha \) :

Angle of attack, in degrees

\( \gamma \) :

Dimensionless circulation

\( \varphi_{ 2 5} \) :

Wing sweep angle at quarter-chord, in degrees

\( \eta \) :

Dimensionless span coordinate

\( \kappa \) :

Ideal gas coefficient

\( \Uplambda \) :

Wing aspect ratio

\( \rho \) :

Density, in kg/m³

References

  1. Warwick, G.: Forward pitch. Aviat. Week Space Technol. 169(15), 22–26 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Werner-Spatz, C.: Flugzeuggesamtentwurf mit Zirkulationskontrolle am Hochauftriebssystem. Ph.D. Dissertation, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany, 2010

  3. Rudolph, P.K.: High-lift systems on commercial subsonic airliners, NASA CR-4746 (1996)

  4. Woodward, D., and Lean, D., “Where is High-Lift Today? - A Review of Past UK Research Programmes”, High-Lift System Aerodynamics, AGARD CP-515, 1993

  5. Werner-Spatz, C., Heinze, W., Horst, P.: Improved representation of high-lift devices for a multidisciplinary conceptual aircraft design process. J. Aircraft 46(6), 1984–1994 (2009). doi:10.2514/1.42845

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Nicolai, L.M.: Fundamentals of aircraft design. METS Inc., San Jose (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Torenbeek, E.: Synthesis of subsonic airplane design. Delft University Press, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Delft, Den Haag (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Raymer, D.P.: Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach. AIAA, Reston (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Howe, D.: Aircraft Conceptual Design Synthesis. Professional Engineering Publishing, Suffolk (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Schlichting, H., Truckenbrodt, E.: Aerodynamik des Flugzeuges. Springer Verlag, Berlin (1967)

    Book  MATH  Google Scholar 

  11. McCormick, B.W.: Aerodynamics of V/STOL Flight. Dover Publications, Mineola (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Prandtl, L.: Über Flüssigkeitsbewegung bei sehr kleiner Reibung. Verhandlungen des III. Internationalen Mathematischen Kongresses, Heidelberg, Germany (1904)

  13. Betz, A.: History of Boundary Layer Control in Germany, Boundary Layer and Flow Control. Pergamon Press, Oxford (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Lachmann, G. (ed.): Boundary Layer and Flow Control. Pergamon Press, Oxford (1961)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  15. Williams, J.: British Research on the Jet-Flap Scheme. Zeitschrift für Flugwissenschaften 6, 170–176 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Williams, J., Butler, S., Wood, M.: The Aerodynamics of Jet Flaps. In: Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress on Aeronautical Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland (1960)

  17. Davidson, I.: Some Engineering Problems of the Jet Flap: Boundary Layer and Flow Control. Pergamon Press, Oxford (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Spence, D.: The lift coefficient of a thin jet-flapped wing. In: Proceedings of the Royal Society London, (A) 238 (1956)

  19. Wygnanski, I., Newman, B.: The effect of jet entrainment on lift and moment for a thin aerofoil with blowing. Aeronaut. Quart. 15, 122–150 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Das, A.: Tragflächentheorie für Tragflügel mit Strahlklappen. Jahrbuch der Wissenschaftlichen Gesellschaft für Luftfahrt e.V., pp. 112–133 (1960)

  21. Gratzer, L.: Analysis of Transport Applications for High-Lift Schemes. Assessment of Lift Augmentation Devices, AGARD LS-43 (1971)

  22. Roberts, L.: Short-Haul transportation in the 1980s. STOL Technology, NASA SP-320 (1972)

  23. Quigley, H.C., Vomakse, R.F.: Preliminary Results of Flight Tests of the Augmentor-Wing Jet STOL Research Aircraft. STOL Technology, NASA SP-320 (1972)

  24. Whittley, D.: An Update of the Canada/USA. Augmentor-Wing Project. Improvement of Aerodynamic Performance Through Boundary Layer Control and High Lift Systems, AGARD CP-365 (1984)

  25. Anon: Powered-Lift Aerodynamics and Acoustics, NASA SP-406 (1976)

  26. Englar, R.J.: Circulation control for high lift and drag generation on STOL aircraft. J. Aircraft 12(5), 457–463 (1975)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Wood, N., Nielsen, J.: Circulation control airfoils past, present, future. In: Proceedings of the 23rd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Reno, NV (1985)

  28. Anon: Proceedings of the Circulation Control Workshop, NASA CP-2432 (1986)

  29. Jones, G.S., Joslin, R.D. (ed.): Proceedings of the 2004 NASA/ONR Circulation Control Workshop, NASA CP-2005-213509 (2005)

  30. Levinsky, E.S., Ramsey, J.C.: Methodology for estimating STOL aircraft high lift systems characteristics. AIAA Paper 1972–1779 (1972)

  31. Hooper, J., White, E., Hillier, H.: Lift-augmentation devices and their effect on the engine. In: Assessment of Lift Augmentation Devices, AGARD LS-43 (1971)

  32. Conlon, J.A., Bowles, J.V.: Powered lift and mechanical flap concepts for civil short-haul aircraft. J. Aircraft 15(2), 168–174 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Anders, S.G., Sellers, W.L.I., Washburn, A.E.: Active flow control activities at NASA Langley. In: Proceedings of the 2nd AIAA Flow Control Conference, Portland, OR, AIAA (2004)

  34. Kibens, V., Bower, W.W.: An overview of active flow control applications at The Boeing Company. In: Proceedings of the 2nd AIAA Flow Control Conference, Portland, OR, AIAA (2004)

  35. Hak, M.G.: Flow control: the future. J. Aircraft 38(3), 402–418 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Shmilovich, A., Yadlin, Y.: Flow control for the systematic buildup of high-lift systems. J. Aircraft 45(5), 1680–1688 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Meunier, M., Brunet, V.: High-lift devices performance enhancement using mechanical and air-jet vortex generators. J. Aircraft 45(6), 2049–2061 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Radespiel, R., Pfingsten, K.-C., Jensch, C.: Flow analysis of augmented high-lift systems. In: Radespiel, R., Rossow, C.-C., Brinkmann, B. (eds.) Hermann Schlichting—100 Years. Scientific Colloquium Celebrating the Anniversary of his Birthday, Braunschweig, Germany 2007. Notes on Numerical Fluid Mechanics and Multidisciplinary Design, vol. 102. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. ISBN 978-3-540-95997-7 (2009)

  39. Pfingsten, K.-C., Cecora, R.D., Radespiel, R.: An experimental investigation of a gapless high-lift system using circulation control. In: Proceedings KATnet II Conference on Key Aerodynamic Technologies, Bremen, Germany (2009)

  40. Jensch, C., Pfingsten, K.C., Radespiel, R., Schuermann, M., Haupt, M., Bauss, S.: Design Aspects of a Gapless High-Lift System With Active Blowing, Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress, Aachen, Germany (2009)

  41. Bushnell, D.M.: Application Frontiers of “Designer Fluid Mechanics”—Vision Versus Reality”, AIAA Paper 97-2110 (1997)

  42. Sellers, W.L.I., Singer, B.A., Leavitt, L.D.: Aerodynamics for Revolutionary Air Vehicles. In: Proceedings of the 21st Applied Aerodynamics Conference, Orlando, FL (2003)

  43. Roskam, J.: Airplane Design. Design, Analysis and Research Corporation, Lawrence (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Finck, R.D.: USAF (United States Air Force) Stability and Control DATCOM (Data Compendium). McDonnell Aircraft Co., St. Louis (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  45. Pepper, R., van Dam, C., Gelhausen, P.: Design methodology for high-lift systems on subsonic transport aircraft. In: Proceedings of the 6th AIAA/NASA/ISSMO Symposium on Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization, Bellevue, WA (1996)

  46. de Mello, R.S., Soviero, P.A.O.: A simplified conceptual design high-lift methodology for transport aircraft. In: Proceedings of the 22nd AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference and Exhibit, Providence, RI (2004)

  47. Keen, E.B., Mason, W.H.: A conceptual design methodology for predicting the aerodynamics of upper surface blowing on airfoils and wings. In: Proceedings of the 23rd AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference, Toronto, Canada (2005)

  48. Kehse, T.: Gesamtentwurf von Flugzeugen mit Hochauftriebshilfen nach dem Prinzip des Upper Surface Blowing. Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2008. Darmstadt, Germany (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  49. Kirby, M.R., Mavris, D.N.: Forecasting technology uncertainty in preliminary aircraft design. In: Proceedings of the 1999 SAE/AIAA World Aviation Conference, San Francisco, CA (1999)

  50. Mavris, D.N., Kirby, M.R.: Takeoff/Landing Assessment of an HSCT With Pneumatic Lift Augmentation. AIAA Paper 99-0534 (1999)

  51. Gologan, C., Stagliano, F., Steiner, H.-J., Seifert, J.: Vergleich von kurzstartfähigen Regionaljets mit aktiven Hochauftriebssystemen. Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2009, Aachen, Germany (2009)

  52. Gologan, C., Stagliano, F., Schmitt, D.: Impact of ESTOL capability on the mission fuel burn of regional jets. In: Proceedings of the 9th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference (ATIO), Hilton Head, SC (2009)

  53. Poisson-Quinton, P., Lepage, L.: Survey of French Research on the Control of Boundary Layer and Circulation, Boundary Layer and Flow Control. Pergamon Press, Oxford (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  54. Attinello, J.S.: Design and Engineering Features of Flap Blowing Installations, Boundary Layer and Flow Control. Pergamon Press, Oxford (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  55. Thomas, F.: Untersuchungen über die Erhöhung des Auftriebes von Tragflügeln mittels Grenzschichtbeeinflussung durch Ausblasen. Ph.D. Dissertation, Technische Hochschule Carolo-Wilhelmina zu Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany (1962)

  56. Englar, R.J.: Overview of Circulation Control Pneumatic Aerodynamics: Blown Force and Moment Augmentation and Modification as Applied Primarily to Fixed-Wing Aircraft, Applications of Circulation Control Technology. AIAA, Reston (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  57. Werner-Westphal, C., Heinze, W., Horst, P.: Structural sizing for an unconventional, environment-friendly aircraft configuration within integrated conceptual design. Aerosp. Sci. Technol. 12(2), 184–194 (2008). doi:10.1016/j.ast.2007.05.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Horstmann, K.-H.: Ein Mehrfach-Traglinienverfahren und seine Verwendung für Entwurf und Nachrechnung nichtplanarer Flügelanordnungen. Ph.D. Dissertation, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany (1987)

  59. Pfingsten, K.-C., Jensch, C., Körber, K.W., Radespiel, R.: Numerical simulation of the flow around circulation control airfoils In: 1st CEAS European Air and Space Conference, Berlin, Germany (2007)

  60. Küchemann, D.: The aerodynamic design of aircraft: a detailed introductionto the current aerodynamic knowledge and practical guide to the solution of aircraft design problems. Pergamon Press, Oxford (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  61. Büscher, A.: “Flügelendformen zur Leistungssteigerung eines Langstreckenflugzeugs“. Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany, Ph.D. Dissertation (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  62. Katz, J., Plotkin, A.: Low-Speed Aerodynamics. McGraw-Hill, New York (1991)

    Google Scholar 

  63. Koeppen, C.: “Methodik zur modellbasierten Prognose von Flugzeugsystemparametern im Vorentwurf von Verkehrsflugzeugen“. Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg, Ph.D. Dissertation (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  64. Mattingly, J.D.: Aircraft Engine Design, AIAA Education Series, Washington (1987)

  65. Henke, R., Lammering, T., Anton, E.: Impact of an innovative quiet regional aircraft on the air transportation system. J. Aircraft 47(3), 875–886 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Loth, J.L.: Why have only two circulation-controlled STOL aircraft been built and flown in years 1974–2004. In: Proceedings of the 2004 NASA/ONR Circulation Control Workshop, Hampton (2005)

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank K.-H. Horstmann and C. Liersch of the Institute Aerodynamics and Flow Technology at the DLR (German Aerospace Center), for providing the LIFTING_LINE code, as well as K. Pfingsten and C. Jensch at TUBS (Braunschweig University) for providing IBF airfoil data.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Aircraft Design and Lightweight Structures, Technische Universitaet Braunschweig, Hermann-Blenk-Strasse 35, 38108, Braunschweig, Germany

    Christian Werner-Spatz, Wolfgang Heinze & Peter Horst

  2. Institute of Fluid Mechanics, Technische Universitaet Braunschweig, Bienroder Weg 3, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany

    Rolf Radespiel

Authors
  1. Christian Werner-Spatz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wolfgang Heinze
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Peter Horst
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Rolf Radespiel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christian Werner-Spatz.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Werner-Spatz, C., Heinze, W., Horst, P. et al. Multidisciplinary conceptual design for aircraft with circulation control high-lift systems. CEAS Aeronaut J 3, 145–164 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13272-012-0049-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13272-012-0049-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation