What is the purpose of a divergent engine inlet duct in a subsonic aircraft?

A typical subsonic air inlet consists of a fixed geometry duct with a diameter that progressively increases from front to back. This divergent shape works like a venturi; as the intake air spreads out, the velocity of the air decreases and the pressure increases.

What is a subsonic inlet?

A subsonic aircraft has an inlet with a relatively thick lip. SUPERSONIC INLETS. An inlet for a supersonic aircraft, on the other hand, has a relatively sharp lip. The inlet lip is sharpened to minimize the performance losses from shock waves that occur during supersonic flight.

What is divergent inlet duct?

A duct whose cross-sectional area increases in the direction of fluid flow. At subsonic speeds, the flow velocity decreases and the pressure rises.

What are divergent inlets used for?

A supersonic inlet duct. The forward section is convergent to increase pressure and reduce air velocity to a subsonic speed. The aft section is divergent to further increase air pressure and slow airflow to approximately Mach 0.5 before entering the engine.

What is the typical shape of a subsonic engine inlet?

On a typical subsonic inlet, the surface of the inlet, from outside to inside, is a continuous smooth curve with some thickness from inside to outside.

What is the significance of an engine inlet duct?

An engine’s air inlet duct is normally considered an airframe part and made by aircraft manufacturer . During flight operation , it is very important to the engine performance . Engine thrust can be high only if the inlet duct supplies the engine with the required airflow at the highest posible pressure .

What are the factors to be considered while designing a subsonic inlet?

The Jet engine is much more sensitive to operating variables ….4. What are the factors to be considered while designing a subsonic inlet?

  • High total pressure ratio.
  • Good uniform of flow.
  • Low installation drag.
  • Good starting and stability.
  • What are the factors to be considered while designing a supersonic inlet?

What is convergent divergent duct?

convergent-divergent duct. A duct that has a decreasing cross section in the direction of fluid flow is convergent, until a minimum area is reached. Thereafter, the cross section increases, or becomes divergent. Relationship of pressure, temperature, and velocity in a convergent-divergent duct.

Why does pressure increase in a divergent duct?

In a diverging duct, just the opposite would happen. From the entry point to the exit point, the duct is spreading out and the area is getting larger. [Figure 3-55] With the increase in cross-sectional area, the velocity of the air decreases and the static pressure increases.

What happens to pressure and velocity in a diverging duct with subsonic airflow?

What is converging diverging nozzle?

This nozzle configuration is called a convergent-divergent, or CD, nozzle. In a CD nozzle, the hot exhaust leaves the combustion chamber and converges down to the minimum area, or throat, of the nozzle. The throat size is chosen to choke the flow and set the mass flow rate through the system.

What is rectangular supersonic inlet?

An intake ramp is a rectangular, plate-like device within the air intake of a jet engine, designed to generate a number of shock waves to aid the inlet compression process at supersonic speeds. The ramp sits at an acute angle to deflect the intake air from the longitudinal direction.

What are the characteristics of a good subsonic duct?

• A good subsonic duct has aircraft speed of 257.4 km/h for a good ram recovery point. 35. Supersonic Inlets • Even for supersonic flight it remains necessary that the flow leaving the inlet system be subsonic. • It is required to have some means to decelerate supersonic flow to subsonic speeds tolerable by existing compressors or fans.

How does a supersonic inlet work?

For a supersonic aircraft, the inlet must slow the flow down to subsonic speeds before the air reaches the compressor. Some supersonic inlets, like the one at the upper right, use a central cone to shock the flow down to subsonic speeds.

What are the different types of subsonic intakes?

SUBSONIC INLETS Types • 1. Internal Compression Subsonic Intakes • 2. External Compression Subsonic Intakes 7. Internal Compression Subsonic Intakes • A divergent duct acts as a subsonic internal compression diffuser. • The pressure gradients of this intakes are kept low enough to avoid large stagnation pressure loss.

What is the difference between subsonic and supersonic airliners?

A subsonic aircraft has an inlet with a relatively thick lip. An inlet for a supersonic aircraft, on the other hand, has a relatively sharp lip. The inlet lip is sharpened to minimize the performance losses from shock waves that occur during supersonic flight.