Simplified thermo-fluid model of an engine cowling in a small airplane

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to developed a simplified thermo-fluid model of an engine cowling in a small airplane. An aircraft engine system is composed of different elements operating at various temperatures and in conjunction with the composite nacelle creates a region with high intensity of heat transfer to be covered by the cooling/ventilation systems. Therefore a thermal analysis, accounting for the complex heat transfer modes, is necessary in order to verify that an adequate cooling is ensured and that temperatures of the nacelle are maintained within the operating limits throughout the whole aircraft's flight. Design/methodology/approach – Simplified numerical simulations of conductive, convective and radiative heat transfer in the engine bay of the small airplane I-23 in a tractor arrangement were performed for different air inlet and outlet configurations and for varying conditions existing in air inlets during the flight. The model is based on the control volume approach for heat and ...