Aerodynamic Analysis of an Installed Thrust Reverser

Abstract

One of the most challenging problems for modern computational  uid dynamicsmethods is the accurate calculation of installed thrust-reverser performance. In this paper, a three-dimensional Cartesian grid Euler method is used to compute the  ow about a contemporary business jet with thrust reversers deployed in ground effect. While the entire aircraft is included in this simulation,themultigrid procedure facilitates grid reŽ nement near the thrustreverser components. Further, the Cartesian grid structure can be assembled in a few days and preliminary design solutions computed in 1–2 h of Cray J90 time. More detailed solutions may be obtained via program restarts. Regardless, subsequent solutions at other design points or with minor designmodiŽ cations are achieved within 1-day elapsed time. For the case analyzed, computedparticle traces are qualitativelysimilar to exhaust plumetrajectories observed in tests on similar installations. Furthermore, the computed pressure distribution on the windward side of the thrust-reverser door compares favorably with available test data, and the computed net braking force is within 2% of the measured data. Based on these data comparisons and the practical user/computational requirements of the method, numerical simulations of installed thrust reverser applications are feasible for preliminary designs.