Effect of matching between the magnetic field and channel length on the performance of low sputtering Hall thrusters

Discharge characteristics of a non-wall-loss Hall thruster were studied under different channel lengths using a design based on pushing a magnetic field through a double permanent magnet ring. The effect of different magnetic field intensities and channel lengths on ionization, efficiency, and plume divergence angle were studied. The experimental results show that propellant utilization is improved for optimal matching between the magnetic field and channel length. While matching the magnetic field and channel length, the ionization position of the neutral gas changes. The ion flow is effectively controlled, allowing the thrust force, specific impulse, and efficiency to be improved. Our study shows that the channel length is an important design parameter to consider for improving the performance of non-wall-loss Hall thrusters.     

Exploration and implementation of commonality valuation method in commercial aircraft family design

Commercial aircraft family design can reduce development costs, shorten development cycles, and expand the market coverage of aircraft. Commercial aircraft family development has become one of the most important features of modern aircraft design. This paper explores the effects of commonality on different aircraft models in a commercial aircraft family. The existing product commonality indexes are summarized and their limitations in the application to aircraft design are discussed. Then a new component commonality index is proposed based on the component decomposition structure. A model for calculating the aircraft program value is established,which considers development costs, manufacturing costs, sale price, operation costs and residual costs. The effects of aircraft commonality on time and economic costs of both development and manufacturing, and on sale price, are analyzed and quantified. The commonality evaluation strategy is obtained, which features comprehensive consideration of the aircraft program value and time costs. The break-even analysis of aircraft is proceeded on the basis of costs and price data. By using a real option method, the strategy considers the uncertainty of the aircraft program and the flexibility of the manufacturer. This strategy proves to be rational and applicable to aircraft design based on the calculation of three examples and the analysis of parameter sensitivity.     

Influence of TiB2 particles on machinability and machining parameter optimization of TiB2/Al MMCs

In situ formed TiB₂ particle reinforced aluminum matrix composites (TiB₂/Al MMCs) have some extraordinary properties which make them be a promising material for high performance aero-engine blade. Due to the influence of TiB₂ particles, the machinability is still a problem which restricts the application of TiB₂/Al MMCs. In order to meet the industrial requirements, the influence of TiB₂ particles on the machinability of TiB₂/Al MMCs was investigated experimentally. Moreover, the optimal machining conditions for this kind of MMCs were investigated in this study. The major conclusions are: (1) the machining force of TiB₂/Al MMCs is bigger than that of non-reinforced alloy and mainly controlled by feed rate; (2) the residual stress of TiB₂/Al MMCs is compressive while that of non-reinforced alloy is nearly neutral; (3) the surface roughness of TiB₂/Al MMCs is smaller than that of non-reinforced alloy under the same cutting speed, but reverse result was observed when the feed rate increased; (4) a multi-objective optimization model for surface roughness and material removal rate (MRR) was established, and a set of optimal parameter combinations of the machining was obtained. The results show a great difference from SiC particle reinforced MMCs and provide a useful guide for a better control of machining process of this material.     

Numerical analysis of hypersonic thermochemical non-equilibrium environment for an entry configuration in ionized flow

A theoretical methodology for thermochemical non-equilibrium flow combing with the HLLC (Harten-Lax-van Leer Contact) scheme was applied to study the hypersonic thermochemical non-equilibrium environment of an entry configuration in ionized flow. A two-temperature controlling model was utilized and the Gupta’s 11 species (N₂, O₂, NO, O, N, NO⁺, N₂⁺, O₂⁺, N⁺, O⁺, e^?) thermochemical non-equilibrium model was taken. Firstly, numerical calculations of hypersonic thermochemical non-equilibrium environments for different aerodynamic shapes were carried out to verify the reliability of the method above. Then, the method was used to research the effects of ionization and wall catalysis on the hypersonic thermochemical non-equilibrium environment of the entry configuration in ionized flow. The shock stand-off distance can be reduced by thermochemical reactions but doesn’t continue to decrease significantly when ionization occurs. The shock stand-off distance calculated by the 11 species model is 4.2% smaller than that calculated by the 5 species (N₂, O₂, NO, O, N) thermochemical non-equilibrium model without considering ionization. Ionization reduces wall heat flux but increases wall pressure a little. The effect of ionization on aerothermal loads is greater than that of aerodynamic loads. The thermochemical reactions of electrons and ions catalyzed at the wall increase wall heat flux significantly but make a small change in wall pressure. The maximum wall heat flux obtained by only considering the electrons and ions catalyzed at the partially catalytic wall condition is 11.8% less than that calculated at the super-catalytic wall condition.     

A novel approach for predicting inlet pressure of aircraft hydraulic pumps under transient conditions

Cavitation caused by insufficient suction is a major factor that influences the life of aircraft pumps. Currently, pressurizing the tank can solve the cavitation problem under steady large-flow conditions. However, this method is not always effective under transient conditions (from zero flow to full flow in a very short time). Moreover, to apply and design other measures, such as a boost impeller, the suction dynamics during the transient period must be investigated. In this paper, a novel approach based on the pressure wave propagation theory is proposed for predicting the inlet pressure of an aircraft pump under transient conditions. First, a dynamic model of a typical aircraft pump is established in the form of differential equations. Then, the transient flow model of the inlet line is described using momentum and continuity equations, and the governing equations are discretized by the method of characteristics and the finite difference method. The simulated results are in good agreement with the results from verification tests. Further simulation analysis indicates that the wave velocity and transient time may influence the inlet and reservoir pressure as well as the size of the inlet line. Finally, solutions for upgrading the inlet pressure are discussed. These solutions provide guidelines for designing inlet installations.     

A formal approach using SysML for capturing functional requirements in avionics domain

In this work, a Model-Based Systems Engineering approach based on SysML is proposed. This approach is used for the capture and the definition of functional requirements in avionics domain. The motivation of this work is triple: guide the capture of functional requirements, validate these functional requirements through functional simulation, and verify efficiently the consistency of these functional requirements. The proposed approach is decomposed into several steps that are detailed to go from conceptual model of avionics domain to a formal functional model that can be simulated in its operating context. To achieve this work, a subset of SysML has been used as an intermediate modelling language to ensure progressive transformation that can be understood and agreed by system stakeholders. Formal concepts are introduced to ensure theoretical consistency of the approach. In addition, transformation rules are defined and the mappings between concepts of ARP4754A civil aircraft guidelines and SysML are formalized through meta-model. The resulting formalization enables engineers to perform functional simulation of the top-level functional architecture extracted from operational scenarios. Finally, the approach has been tested on an industrial avionics system called the Onboard Maintenance System.     

Measurement of mass diffusion coefficients of O_2 in aviation fuel through digital holographic interferometry

The experimental apparatus to measure the mass diffusion coefficients of O2 in aviation fuel was constructed based on the digital holographic interferometry method. The theory of mass diffusion coefficient and interference image processing were introduced in detail. The accuracy of the experiment was verified by measuring the mass diffusion coefficient of 0.33 mol/L KCl in aqueous solution at 298.15 K. The mass diffusion coefficients of O_2 in RP3 and RP5 aviation fuels were measured at temperature from 278.15 K to 333.15 K, and the Arrhenius equation was employed to fit the experimental data. In terms of the Stokes-Einstein equation, the viscosities of these two aviation fuels were tested to estimate the correlation among mass diffusion coefficient, viscosity and temperature. A uniform polynomial calculation correlation was proposed to predict the mass diffusion coefficients of O_2 in both RP3 and RP5 aviation fuels, and its accuracy is considerably higher than that of the Stokes-Einstein equation.     

Maximal admissible mode decision delay in terminal guidance

Mode decision-maker is a critical component in the logic-based Integrated Estimation and Guidance(IEG) system. For the best possible estimation and guidance performance, the mode decision delay of the mode decision-maker should be limited to a range as small as possible. This paper presents a numerical method for computing the maximal admissible mode decision delay that varies with time-to-go. Particular attention has been paid to highly maneuvering target interception in terminal guidance. The results of this research offer useful guidelines for the design of the mode decision-maker in IEG systems.