Design of a Mixed-Flow Transonic Compressor for Active High-Lift System Using a 3D Inverse Design Methodology

This paper presents the redesign of an electrically driven mixed flow transonic compressor by using a 3D inverse design methodology. The compressor will be used for an active high-lift system application that aims to delay the onset of stall and thus contributing to the reduction of both the aircraft noise footprint and the impact of aviation emission on local air quality. As part of a collaborative work between the Institute of Turbomachinery and Fluid Dynamics of the Leibniz University Hannover and Advanced Design Technology Ltd., an existing optimized compressor stage for this application is redesigned using a 3D inverse method. The new compressor design presents an increase in pressure ratio and total-to-total isentropic efficiency of more than 5.5% and 1% respectively at design point. The higher PR at design point allows the compressor to be run at lower rotational speeds, which decreases the load on the electric motor and the power electronic systems, and hence contributing further to the overall weight reduction of the entire system. The advantage of using an inverse design methodology is shown in this paper as a method that allows a very simple parameterization, reducing significantly the design time and hence allowing the exploration of wider design spaces, with the potential of reaching more innovative and efficient designs. The fast and reliable design and analysis of components represents an important advantage for the enhancement of aircraft electrification, where long design times are often a barrier for the exploration of system configurations.