INtake Vortex Ingestion in Ground Operation

Clean Sky 2, part of the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, develops innovative, cutting-edge technologies aimed at reducing fuel consumption, CO₂, gas emissions and noise levels produced by aircrafts. Clean Sky 2 WP2 “Ultra High Propulsive Efficiency (UHPE) demonstrator addressing Short/Medium Range aircraft market” is dedicated to validate the low pressure modules and nacelle technology bricks necessary to enable an Ultra High Bypass Ratio (UHBR) engine. Within this framework, the InVIGO project focuses on building a method to provide an aerodynamic characterization of the ground vortex in engine crosswind condition, compatible with a reduced, degraded instrumentation. To achieve this goal InVIGO will associate Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and a wind tunnel experimental campaign to build a comprehensive database on ground vortices. This database will be used to develop and validate a robust and innovative method that uses deep learning and artificial neural networks to estimate the ground vortex properties in the fan inlet. InVIGO has three main objectives:

• Provide a method able to predict ground vortex characteristics from reduced instrumentation by using data science approach on an existing database
• Perform ground vortex measurement campaign(s) in Wind Tunnel Test (WTT) with both detailed and reduced instrumentation, covering a wide range of operating conditions
• Perform CFD numerical simulations of both WTT and aircraft representative configurations.

InVIGO constitutes a challenging project, as the highest expertise is required in many different fields: numerical simulations (RANS, URANS and LES), aerodynamic experiments (WTT), modeling and data science (deep learning, neural networks). The project consortium brings together ALTRAN (now Capgemini), European leader in Engineering Solution through its expertise center for Computational Fluid Dynamics, and CSTB, Experiment and Instrumentation experts.        

Altran (now Capgemini), European Leader in Engineering Solution, and CSTB, Expert in Experimental Campaigns for Buildings, Structures, Industrial Equipment and Vehicles have teamed up within the Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking. The topic leader for this project is Safran Aircraft Engine, world-class aircraft engine manufacturer.