ANSYS Case Studies Automated Design and Heat Transfer Optimization in Aircraft Engines: A Case Study of General Electric

	Automated Design and Heat Transfer Optimization in Aircraft Engines: A Case Study of General Electric ANSYS

Automated Design and Heat Transfer Optimization in Aircraft Engines: A Case Study of General Electric

ANSYS

Technology Category	Sensors - Utility Meters
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Mesh Networks Visual Quality Detection
Services	Testing & Certification
Challenge	The design of an aircraft engine combustor is a complex, multidisciplinary process that involves aero CFD, combustion, heat transfer CFD, dynamics, thermal, mechanical, and life prediction. GE Global Research Center, in collaboration with GE Aircraft Engines, was tasked with developing advanced combustor design technologies to meet aggressive new product introduction (NPI) analysis requirements. A significant challenge in this process was the generation of high-quality meshes in an automatic fashion. The mesh quality plays a critical role in the automated design process, affecting the analysis accuracy. Moreover, the meshing procedures needed to be scriptable, without human intervention. An all-hex mesh was required for the full combustor sector model to ensure analysis accuracy. Read More
About Customer	The customer in this case study is General Electric (GE), a multinational conglomerate that operates in various sectors including aviation, power, renewable energy, digital industry, and healthcare. In this particular case, the focus is on GE's aviation sector, specifically GE Aircraft Engines. GE Aircraft Engines is a leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components, integrated digital, avionics, electrical power, and mechanical systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. The company was seeking to develop advanced combustor design technologies to meet aggressive new product introduction (NPI) analysis requirements. Read More
Solution	To address the challenge, the full combustor sector model was divided into three main components: innerliner, outerliner, and dome-assembly. Each component was further divided into a set of subcomponents. The engineering solution involved generating tetin files using the prt2tetin script, generating replay files in hexa, and integrating meshes into a component or full-combustor model. This process resulted in the generation of an all-hex mesh for the full combustor sector model. The technology used in this solution was ANSYS® CFD. The solution also featured a streamlined interface with Unigraphics for easy accurate geometry translation, novel and unique blocking strategies for high-quality meshes, and excellent scripting features for automated mesh generation. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Sensors - Utility Meters

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Mesh Networks

Visual Quality Detection

Services

Testing & Certification

Challenge

The design of an aircraft engine combustor is a complex, multidisciplinary process that involves aero CFD, combustion, heat transfer CFD, dynamics, thermal, mechanical, and life prediction. GE Global Research Center, in collaboration with GE Aircraft Engines, was tasked with developing advanced combustor design technologies to meet aggressive new product introduction (NPI) analysis requirements. A significant challenge in this process was the generation of high-quality meshes in an automatic fashion. The mesh quality plays a critical role in the automated design process, affecting the analysis accuracy. Moreover, the meshing procedures needed to be scriptable, without human intervention. An all-hex mesh was required for the full combustor sector model to ensure analysis accuracy.

About Customer

The customer in this case study is General Electric (GE), a multinational conglomerate that operates in various sectors including aviation, power, renewable energy, digital industry, and healthcare. In this particular case, the focus is on GE's aviation sector, specifically GE Aircraft Engines. GE Aircraft Engines is a leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components, integrated digital, avionics, electrical power, and mechanical systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. The company was seeking to develop advanced combustor design technologies to meet aggressive new product introduction (NPI) analysis requirements.

Solution

To address the challenge, the full combustor sector model was divided into three main components: innerliner, outerliner, and dome-assembly. Each component was further divided into a set of subcomponents. The engineering solution involved generating tetin files using the prt2tetin script, generating replay files in hexa, and integrating meshes into a component or full-combustor model. This process resulted in the generation of an all-hex mesh for the full combustor sector model. The technology used in this solution was ANSYS® CFD. The solution also featured a streamlined interface with Unigraphics for easy accurate geometry translation, novel and unique blocking strategies for high-quality meshes, and excellent scripting features for automated mesh generation.

Impact #1	The solution provided by GE Global Research Center and GE Aircraft Engines resulted in several operational benefits. The use of ANSYS® CFD technology and the division of the full combustor sector model into manageable components streamlined the design process. The novel and unique blocking strategies developed for this project resulted in high-quality meshes, which are crucial for analysis accuracy. The solution also featured excellent scripting features for automated mesh generation, reducing the need for human intervention and increasing efficiency. Furthermore, the solution provided a wide range of analysis codes for mesh export, offering flexibility and adaptability in the design process. Lastly, the knowledgeable and friendly personnel provided prompt technical support, ensuring smooth operation and quick resolution of any issues.

Impact #1

The solution provided by GE Global Research Center and GE Aircraft Engines resulted in several operational benefits. The use of ANSYS® CFD technology and the division of the full combustor sector model into manageable components streamlined the design process. The novel and unique blocking strategies developed for this project resulted in high-quality meshes, which are crucial for analysis accuracy. The solution also featured excellent scripting features for automated mesh generation, reducing the need for human intervention and increasing efficiency. Furthermore, the solution provided a wide range of analysis codes for mesh export, offering flexibility and adaptability in the design process. Lastly, the knowledgeable and friendly personnel provided prompt technical support, ensuring smooth operation and quick resolution of any issues.

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Overview

Automated Design and Heat Transfer Optimization in Aircraft Engines: A Case Study of General Electric

Operational Impact