Optimizing Environmental Control System Mass in Future Fighters : A parametric investigation of key design variables

Sammanfattning

This thesis presents a parameter analysis of aircraft Environmental Control Systems(ECS). The three studied systems are: Open Air Cycle, Closed Air Cycle, and VaporCycle systems. The study evaluates the characteristics of each ECS configuration undervarying flight envelope conditions. The main load focus for the ECS is the radar and otherfunctionalities such as cockpit systems have been removed. The thesis aims to constructa simulation framework for parameter analysis and to present system mass behaviourdepending on parameter behaviour. The results offer insights into the suitability of eachECS system type for specific aircraft flight envelopes. The most impactful parametersproved to be altitude, mach and cooling power. The lightest system was the Open AirCycle followed by the Closed Air Cycle and lastly the Vapor Cycle System. The chosenVapor Cycle System architecture did not fulfill constraints for every design point and isnot viable. The designed simulation framework utilizes parallelization of code, HPC enviromentand complex rf optimization. This should result in SAAB being able to performfast concept analysis of fighter jet ECS systems.