FUTURE ADVANCEMENTS IN AERODYNAMICS

Hello everyone, while many say that aviation is at its peak now in the technology sector, that's not fully true. Well to make it simple, many of the aerodynamics, aircraft and aerospace research facilities publish their documents about future advancements that could be inculcated into the aviation sector.

Following are some few points from the recent research published by NASA.

I HAVE ATTACHED THE DOCUMENT AT THE END IN CASE YOU WANT TO READ IT....

1) ADAPTIVE FLOW CONTROL:

 

With advancements in actuator mechanics, in future aviation it will be possible to make the use of micro actuator technology, which will have the power to change the characteristics of the flow at micro level.

This will possible with the use of Nano sensors on the surfaces for feedback systems to work in flow.

An another easy but an effective way for controlling the flow can be the use of suction and blowing devices, installed on the surfaces. This method is being is used now-a-days too but it can be developed further.

 

Advantages:-

·         Weight reduction.

·         Less control surfaces, so less chances of failure.

Disadvantages:-

·         If any failure occurs in these systems, it can lead to combined impairment of functionality.

·         Servicing is going to be tough and costly.

 

1)    2)  ADVANCED VEHICLE CONCEPTS:-

Talking about the future of aviation, the body or structure is the most exciting part for research.

Structures in commercial aviation are built on the principles of –

a)      Optimum strength/weight ratio, and

b)      least possible fuel/passenger requirements.

 

Well considering these requirements, you will start to think that most OEMs(Original Equipment Manufacturer) are going to head for large body aircrafts. Well, this is true to some extent, but we will need small airliners for domestic travel, because they don’t have huge profit margins.

Bigger structures are going to pose a threat of excessive vibrations. But we can counter them by the use of advanced composites.

Smart structures, together with flow control technology, will play a vital role in the control surface effectiveness along with their weight and size e.g. Boeing-787 Dreamliner.

 

 

     3)  NOISE CONTROL:-

·         Fan Noise- It can be controlled by directly attacking the noise sources, via attenuation in the duct before it escapes the nacelles e.g. using cheverons.

OR

                                by shielding by the airframe en route to the receiver.

·         Jet Noise- It can be reduced by using water injection to alter the turbulence characteristics of the jet.

OR

                                by use of filaments in the PLUME.

·         Airframe Noise- It can be majorly reduced by the use of steady suction or blowing features at the points of turbulent flows.

LINK TO THE ORIGINAL PDF- Advancements In Aerodynamics