Analytic Assessment of an Embedded Aircraft Propulsion

This paper investigates analytically the advantage of the embedded propulsion compared to a state of the art propulsion of an aircraft. Hereby, we are applying the integral method of boundary layer theory and potential theory to analyse the boundary layer thickness and the impact of the flow acceleration due to the embedded propulsion. The aircraft body is treated as a flat plate. The engine is treated as a momentum disc but there is a trade off, since the engine efficiency is effected by the boundary layer. The outcome of the energetic assessment is the following: the propulsion efficiency is increased by the embedded propulsion and the drag of the aircraft body is reduced. The optimized aircraft engine size depending on Reynolds number is given.