Coupled flow-thermal-structures simulations and analysis capability is essential for performance prediction and design optimization of a variety of aerospace propulsion system components, such as high temperature seals. CFD-ACE+ is one such advanced, coupled multi-physics package that can be used for the propulsion components. To assess the accuracy and usefulness of the codes, it was used to simulate different flow and structures cases: compressible flow in an aspirated face seal and thermal deformation of a bimetallic beam that would test some of the multiphysics capabilities. Solutions were compared with analytical or experimental data for accuracy verification. Good correlations between the numerical predictions and experimental/analytical data were obtained. Numerical tools with coupled multi-physics simulation capabilities will prove to be a great help in design assessment, optimization and shorter design cycles for the complex seals and other components that will be a part of high-performance aerospace propulsion systems.
Keywords
Source
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics