Look what came out of the supercomputer today…

Simulated using OpenFOAM. For more information of numerical simulation of flow and noise/sound (CFD/CAA), contact Dr Con Doolan

Todo Notes in Latex

Check out this cool todo notes sty file… It allows you to put mark-up notes on documents.

http://midtiby.blogspot.com/2008/07/todonotes-version-2008-07-28.html

Blended Wing Body

Great story on plans for Blended Wing Body in Aviation Week. Check it out here.

Morphing Winglet

New Scientist report that Boeing and Airbus are developing the “morphlet”, a morphing wing tip extension. The idea is that extra fuel savings over and above those already gained with a passive winglet can be obtained. In addition, the morphlet will be able to extend the wing span, increasing aspect ratio and hence aerodynamic efficiency, thereby reducing thrust levels further on landing approach.

This means that engine noise is now even further reduced, making airframe noise more significant. This will further increase the importance of airframe noise, making research in this area even more important.

Mono-tilt rotor

Flight Global reports on this concept of a mono-tilt-rotor, being developed by AeroCopter. It is supposed to work using an outer ring (not shown) to drive the rotors, that also turn on the inner ring. Rotor propulsion is by “magnets”. It’s aimed at being a fast VTOL aircraft. Interesting if they ever get it to fly.

Excerpt: “AeroCopter has designed a 1,320kg (2,900lb) two-seat personal air vehicle with a cruise speed of at least 220kt (405km/h) and a range of 555km (300nm). There is also an unmanned air vehicle version.”

Low Noise Blended Wing/Body Aircraft

Aviation Week covered a story on Hybrid Wing/Body aircraft configurations. NASA and Boeing say that a low noise (< 42 dB, no other specs, so what does it mean?) and 40% less fuel burn aircraft could be fielded by 2020. Not too much detail in the story other than heavy use of acoustic shielding by the airframe. This means strategically placing the engines so that noise generated by them is “blocked” (scattered) by the airframe, reducing its intensity at the ground. Another interesting feature is airframe turbulent boundary layer ingestion by the engines. This is described in terms of benefits to fuel efficiency but there is sure to be a noise benefit as well. Look out for more posts on this topic.

Methane on Mars

In what could develop into one of the biggest science stories of this century (I think), NASA scientists have confirmed the presence on methane in the atmosphere of Mars. What’s interesting about the finding is that it occurred in a “belch” or single release of 21,000 tonnes in the last part of summer in 2003. Now methane is usually made by microbial life, so the presence of methane suggests life on Mars. The question is – did this methane release occur due to living microbes or is it due to a release of ancient methane due to a geological event? Expect to hear a lot more about this one.

More information at:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090115/ap_on_sc/sci_mars_methane;_ylt=At00TiJBtzXT3P.XkG4k.MCHgsgF

Blog Restart

Ok, it’s been a while and I have been really, really slack, but let’s get this blog back on the rails.

Scramjet ok for flight test

The SJX61-2 scramjet engine, part of the X-51A Scramjet Engine Demonstrator-WaveRider (SED-WR), has successfully cleared ground tests and is being readied for a flight test.

This engine is unique because it is liquid hydrocarbon fuelled and will operate in the Mach 4.5-6 flight envelope.  This makes it a so-called “dual-mode” scramjet, with regions of both subsonic and supersonic combustion occurring in its combustion chamber.  The successful development of dual mode engines that run on liquid hydrocrabons (like kerosene or Jet fuel) is a vital part of the overall development of the scramjet.  It will enable acceleration from the low Mach number turbojet flight regime (Mach 3) through to pure hypersonic (Mach 6+).

Most scramjet designs hydrogen fuel (e.g. X-41A and HyShot). Practical designs (especially military) need to run on liquid fuels, due to their ease of use and high energy density.  Hydrogen has high energy per unit mass (J/kg), but very low energy density (J/cu.m), thereby requiring the use of expensive and awkward cryogenic fuel systems.  Liquid fuels are as convenient to use as petrol from your local fuel supplier, but there is a performance penalty due to lower energy per unit mass and difficulties in mixing and ignition (and probably total pressure loss).

Read the Press Release.

Excerpt from spaceref.com:  ”The X-51 Flight Test Program plans to demonstrate the operation of a scramjet engine within the Mach 4.5 to 6.0-plus range during four flight tests beginning in 2009. The program will set the foundation for several hypersonic applications, including access to space, reconnaissance-strike and global reach. The SJX61-2 duplicates the flight configuration propulsion design, including a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), flight fuel pump and ethylene start system to orchestrate the closed-loop thermal management and combustion systems that use JP-7 fuel.”

More details of China’s Third Manned Space Mission

China has released more details of their third manned mission that now includes a one hour spacewalk (sse this link).  The Chinese will also beam their spacewalk ’live’ to the world.

 

Excerpt from Space.com’s story:

“China’s Shenzhou spacecraft are based on Russia’s three-module Soyuz vehicles, but have been modernized by Chinese engineers. They include an orbital module that can remain in space to carry out experiments after the crew returns in the reentry module. The orbital module is outfitted with solar arrays to supply it with power, and could become the base for a space station or a docking target for future spacecraft.

This third spaceflight was originally scheduled for the end of October, but was moved earlier so that the position of the sun would enable the spacewalk to be performed in sunlight, rather than darkness, China Daily reported.

The five-day mission is aimed at continuing China’s journey toward the goal of exploring space and eventually landing on the moon, Chinese space officials have said.”