The NPSS Vision

Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field

The Numerical Propulsion System Simulation

….A Vision for Virtual Engine Testing

The 2006 ASME TURBO EXPO

May 8 – 11, 2006 Barcelona, Spain

Arun K. Sehra

Director, Programs and Projects NASA Glenn Research Center

2Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field

The NPSS Vision

…a virtual test cell that augments physical testing through the integration of validated physics-based modeling and information technologies…

An advanced engineering analysis environment that enables multi-fidelity, multi-disciplinary, full propulsion system simulations to be performed early in the design process….

3Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field

Major Issue in Meeting Future Aerospace Needs

“..Without significant reductions in cost, the nation cannot afford a new military aircraft engine...” DDRE, IHPTET Steering Committee Meeting, 1996

• Projected benefits of a “virtual engine test cell”*– 50% reduction in tooling cost– 33% reduction in the average development engine cost– 30% reduction in the cost of fabricating, assembling and

testing rig hardware– 36% reduction in the number of development engines– 60% reduction in total hardware cost

$

*Skira, Charles, A., “Will There Ever Be a Another New Military Aircraft Engine Development Program?”, AIAA 99-2660

Notional development program (F100, F404, F414, F119) of 10 years, $1.5B, 14 test engines, 9 flight test engines and over 11,000 hours of engine tests.

4Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field

The NPSS Plug ‘n Play EnvironmentThe NPSS Plug ‘n Play EnvironmentMulti-fidelity AnalysisMulti-fidelity Analysis

3-D

Component Libraries3-D

3-D Unsteady

1-D

NPSS V 1 – Baseline 0-D Model

3-D 3-D0-D 0-D1-D1-D

Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field

2002

NPSS Version 1.6.3Visual Based Syntax Layer,Test Integration, Nested Solvers…

NPSS Version 2 (AVETeC)3-Dimensional, Automated Aero/ThermalFull Engine Simulation

NPSS Version 1.0Virtual Engine Software Architecture Implemented for 0-DimensionalAircraft Engine System

NPSS Version 3 (AVETeC)3-Dimensional, Unsteady, Aero/Thermal Full Propulsion System Simulation Along an Operating Line

2006

NPSS Roadmap to Support Advanced Propulsion System Design and Development

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The NPSS development is a partnership among NASA, US Industry, DoD, and AVETeC.

Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field

NASA Demonstrates High Fidelity System Simulation using the GE90

APNASA

APNASA & National Combustion Code

7Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field

Future Work• Extend from Engine to

Full Propulsion System– Integrated Inlet/Fan

• Serpentine Inlet with Flow Control• Full-Annulus Unsteady Fan Aeromechanical

– Operability– Flutter– Forced Response

– Integrated Thermal Management– Integrated Turbine/Exhaust Nozzle

• Automate the GE 90 Simulation for Multiple Operating Points– Fully Integrate with NPSS V1.6– Variable Bleed Flows– Variable Geometry

• Improved Combustor/Turbine Integration– Cooling Flow– Heat Transfer– Reacting Flow