Asymmetric Intakes info needed...
 

I’m trying to find a good source of information on Asymmetric Engine Intakes for a college assignment.

The aerodynamics texts that I’m currently using provide limited coverage of propulsion systems and are restricted to basic pitot intakes.

To be more specific I’m looking at the aerodynamic reasoning behind their selection, design and application.

Hope you don't mind me using the forum for this type of enquiry.
Any hints / recommends will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
RK

Well, often the reasoning isn't aerodynamic.

Without another design constraint there's no good reason to have an asymmetric intake to a symmetric engine face; you're just asking for distortion when you do that, as the air has to tarnsition to the symmetric section somehow.

Reasons for asymmetry can include:

nose intakes
flattened to provide view from cockpit
misshapen to provide somewhere to stcik a radar (e.g. Sabre)

underwing
ground clearnace (B737)

cheek, side, etc
anything on the side of the aircraft must be asymmteric, or at least split side to side, so not rotationally symmetric, which is what really matters. can be driven by nose radome needs, desire to shorten intakes (side to front face being shorter than nose to same front face)

I'm sure others will have other suggestions.

(And, of course, once you start getting away from pitot-type intakes all kinds of other considerations enter, such as ramp actuation)

Thanks Mad Scientist

I kind of suspected that the basic reasoning is more to do with the general design constraints of the aircraft than the actual aerodynamic requirements of the intake itself.

If you're really keen there's a pretty good chapter on it in 'Design for Air Combat' by Ray Whitford. The intake chapter is about 30 pages long and only talks about things qualitively ie no maths at all. Don't know if that'd be the kind of thing you're looking for.
It discusses all the various shapes and also talks a lot about intake location.

I looked all over the UK and web to get hold of my copy and eventually found one in the used books section of Barnes and Noble - www.bn.com - I just checked and there's one there for $42.

Also one from a bookseller in Arnhem (nice aviation connection there) on http://www.abe.com for ~$31. It might even be the same one that B&N are selling, since they buy from dealers and add a price markup.