Structural optimization of the electric fuel pump V-cone flow meter based on CFD
The electric fuel pump is a key component in the development of electrification for aviation engines.In order to accurately measure the fuel flow rate of the electric fuel pump and achieve precise control of the fuel flow rate for aviation engines,thereby effectively enhancing engine performance,the structural parameters of the V-cone flowmeter were selected and optimized for application in aviation engine environments,considering the wide range ratio requirements and narrow installation conditions inside the engine that cannot be satisfied by traditional flowmeters.Based on the desired pressure drop for a wide range of flow rates,a fixed equivalent diameter ratio β was chosen.Numerical simulation was performed to study the throttle element configurations with different structural parameters,including the front cone angle,back cone angle,and cone surface curvature.The performance evaluation criteria include the linearity of the discharge coefficient,expansion uncertainty,and permanent pressure loss.The influence trend of various geometric parameters on the performance of the flowmeter was obtained.The simulation results indicate that the front cone angle has a greater impact on the discharge coefficient and permanent pressure loss compared to the back cone angle.By selecting a fixed β value that matches specific front and back cone angles,the flow meter can achieve optimal performance.Changing the conical throttle element from a straight cone shape to an arc shape can significantly reduce the permanent pressure loss,while increasing the curvature of the back cone can effectively improve the linearity of the discharge coefficient.