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At least 37 records · Page 2

Experimental evaluation of a translating nozzle sidewall radial turbine

An experimental performance evaluation was made of two movable sidewall variable area radial turbines. The turbine designs were representative of the gas generator turbine of a variable flow capacity rotorcraft engine. The first turbine was an uncooled design while the second turbine had a cooled nozzle but an uncooled rotor. The cooled nozzle turbine was evaluated both with and without coolant flow. The test results showed that the movable nozzle wall is a viable and efficient means to effectively control the flow capacity of a radial turbine. Peak efficiencies of the second turbine with and without nozzle coolant were 86.5 and 88 percent respectively. These values are comparable to pivoting vane variable geometry turbines; however, the decrease in efficiency as the flow was varied from the design value was much less for the movable wall turbine. Several design improvements which should increase the turbine efficiency one or two more points are identified. These design improvements include reduced leakage losses and relocation of the vane coolant ejection holes to reduce mainstream disturbance.

Roelke, Richard J.↗

Evaluation of a turbine blade damper using an integral approach

An integrated experimental/analytical approach to friction damper design optimization in cases where gas turbine blade-response data are unavailable under actual engine operating conditions is presently applied to the case of a damper designed to relieve a blade-cracking problem on a liquid fuel rocket engine's turbopump. Attention is given to the experimental methods and analytical models used, as well as to the predicted damper performance. The inclusion of macroslip, microslip, and variable normal load effects was found to be necessary.

Kielb, Robert E.↗

The Attenuation of a Detonation Wave by an Aircraft Engine Axial Turbine Stage

A Constant Volume Combustion Cycle Engine concept consisting of a Pulse Detonation Combustor (PDC) followed by a conventional axial turbine was simulated numerically to determine the attenuation and reflection of a notional PDC pulse by the turbine. The multi-stage, time-accurate, turbomachinery solver TURBO was used to perform the calculation. The solution domain consisted of one notional detonation tube coupled to 5 vane passages and 8 rotor passages representing 1/8th of the annulus. The detonation tube was implemented as an initial value problem with the thermodynamic state of the tube contents, when the detonation wave is about to exit, provided by a 1D code. Pressure time history data from the numerical simulation was compared to experimental data from a similar configuration to verify that the simulation is giving reasonable results. Analysis of the pressure data showed a spectrally averaged attenuation of about 15 dB across the turbine stage. An evaluation of turbine performance is also presented.

VanZante, Dale↗

Guide to the evaluation of human exposure to noise from large wind turbines

Guidance for evaluating human exposure to wind turbine noise is provided and includes consideration of the source characteristics, the propagation to the receiver location, and the exposure of the receiver to the noise. The criteria for evaluation of human exposure are based on comparisons of the noise at the receiver location with the human perception thresholds for wind turbine noise and noise-induced building vibrations in the presence of background noise.

Stephens, D. G.↗

Comparison of Structural Concepts for Transport Aircraft with a Tail Cone Turbine

An evaluation of three structural concepts for an advanced aircraft design with a tail cone turbine is presented. Structural models were developed using an innovative rapid finite element modeling tool called Conceptual Design Shop (CDS). CDS is an attempt to fill a gap in current finite element modeling software to automatically connect wings and tails to the fuselage with sufficient support structure in airframe models. For comparison with actual aircraft structures, a model of a transport aircraft design developed using CDS is compared with published structural weight data for a Boeing 737-200. A method for computing aerodynamic stability parameters from an MSC/NASTRAN finite element analysis output deck is also discussed. Finally, the weight effects for using a tail cone turbine in an advanced transport aircraft design are evaluated by comparing three composite structural models, for which component thicknesses and cross-sections are sized by the Hypersizer software.

Mason, Brian H.↗

Evaluation of Cyclic Behavior of Aircraft Turbine Disk Alloys

An evaluation of the cyclic behavior of three aircraft engine turbine disk materials was conducted to compare their relative crack initiation and crack propagation resistance. The disk alloys investigated were Inconel 718, hot isostatically pressed and forged powder metallurgy Rene '95, and as-hot-isostatically pressed Rene '95. The objective was to compare the hot isostatically pressed powder metallurgy alloy forms with conventionally processed superalloys as represented by Inconel 718. Cyclic behavior was evaluated at 650 C both under continuously cycling and a fifteen minute tensile hold time cycle to simulate engine conditions. Analysis of the test data were made to evaluate the strain range partitioning and energy exhaustion concepts for predicting hold time effects on low cycle fatigue.

Shahani, V.↗

Methods for improving reliability in ceramic turbine rotors

Evaluation of Carborundum (CBO) injection-molded sintered alpha silicon carbide (SiC) AGT 100 gasifier turbine rotors by spin testing established a baseline for material strength characteristics. Spin test results of a subsequent group of rotors demonstrated a reduction in average failure speed. Post-test fracture analysis identified surface and near-surface flaws in the back face region to be the typical failure origins. Corrective actions were initiated to address the elimination of the strength controlling flaws. Initial evaluation of rotors fabricated to these process modifications indicates improvements in overall surface quality and average burst speed.

Turner, D. A.↗

A comparison of the analytical and experimental performance of the solid version of a cooled radial turbine

An evaluation of the aerodynamic performance of the solid version of an Allison-designed cooled radial turbine was conducted at NASA Lewis' Warm Turbine Test Facility. The resulting pressure and temperature measurements are used to calculate vane, rotor, and overall stage performance. These performance results are then compared to the analytical results obtained by using NASA's MTSB (MERIDL-TSONIC-BLAYER) code.

Tirres, Lizet↗

Aerodynamic Evaluation of Two Compact Radial-Inflow Turbine Rotors

The aerodynamic evaluation of two highly loaded compact radial turbine rotors was conducted at the NASA Lewis Research Center Small Engine Component Test Facility (SECTF). The experimental results were used for proof-of-concept, for modeling radial inflow turbine rotors, and for providing data for code verification. Two rotors were designed to have a shorter axial length, up to a 10-percent reduced diameter, a lighter weight, and equal or higher efficiencies with those of conventional radial inflow turbine rotors. Three configurations were tested: rotor 1, having a 40-percent shorter axial length, with the design stator (stator 1); rotor 1 with the design stator vanes closed down (stator 2); and rotor 2, slightly shorter axially and having higher loading, with stator 2. The stator had 36 vanes and the rotors each had 14 solid blades. Although presently uncooled, the rotor blades were designed for thicknesses which would allow cooling passages to be added. The overall stage performance measurements and the rotor and stator exit flow field surveys were obtained. Measurements of steady state temperatures, pressures, mass flow rates, flow angles, and output power were made at various operating conditions. Data were obtained at corrected speeds of 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 percent of design over a range of equivalent inlet-to-exit pressure ratios of 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0, the maximum pressure ratio achieved. The test showed that the configuration of rotor 1 with stator 1 running at the design pressure ratio produced a flow rate which was 5.6 percent higher than expected. This result indicated the need to close down the stator flow area to reduce the flow. The flow area reduction was accomplished by restaggering the vanes. Rotor 1 was retested with the closed-down stator vanes and achieved the correct mass flow. Rotor 2 was tested only with the restaggered vanes. The test results of the three turbine configurations were nearly identical. Although the measured efficiencies of the compact designs fell 2 to 3 points below the predicted efficiency of 91 percent, they did meet and exceed by up to 2.5 percentage points the efficiences of state-of-the-art turbines found in the literature.

Simonyi, P. Susan↗

Evaluation of ceramics for stator applications: Gas turbine engines interim report. Stator fabrication and evaluation

The objective was to assess current ceramic materials, fabrication processes, reliability prediction, and stator durability when subjected to simulated automotive gas turbine engine operating conditions. Ceramic one-piece stators were fabricated of two materials, silicon nitride and silicon carbide, using two near-net-shape processes, slip casting and injection molding. Non-destructive evaluation tests were conducted on all stators identifying irregularities which could contribute to failures under durability testing. Development of the test rig and automatic control system for repeatably controlling air flow rate and temperature over a highly transient durability duty cycle is discussed. Durability results are presented for repeated thermal cycle testing of the ceramic one-piece stators. Two duty cycles were used, encompassing the temperature ranges of 704 to 1204 C (1300 to 2200 F) and 871 to 1371 C (1600 to 2500 F). Tests were conducted on 28 stators, accumulating 135,551 cycles in 2441 hours of hot testing. Cyclic durability for the ceramic one-piece stator was demonstrated to be in excess of 500 hours, accumulating over 28,850 thermal cycles. Ceramic interface forces were found to be the significant factor in limiting stator life rather than the scatter in material strength properties or the variation in component defects encountered.

Arnon, N.↗

A review of the Mark 48-F, 3.50 pitch diameter, 2-stage reaction turbine designed for the staged combustion cycle requirements of an advanced space engine

The Mark 48-F two-stage reaction turbine was designed as a component for an advanced space engine propellant feed system, high-pressure liquid hydrogen turbopump. The turbine total inlet temperature and total inlet pressure were designed to be 1860 R and 3420 psia, respectively. At a design speed of 95,000 rpm, the turbine will develop 2543 horsepower with LO2/LH2 working fluid. The aerothermodynamic performance of a prototype turbine assembly was evaluated with gaseous nitrogen working fluid. Turbine performance was evaluated at turbine velocity ratios ranging from 0.250 to 0.782, and turbine speeds up to 25,250 rpm. Turbine test efficiency at the design velocity ratio of 0.483 was found to be 79.5% total-to-total.

Macaluso, S. B.↗

Evaluation of MOSTAS computer code for predicting dynamic loads in two bladed wind turbines

Calculated dynamic blade loads were compared with measured loads over a range of yaw stiffnesses of the DOE/NASA Mod-O wind turbine to evaluate the performance of two versions of the MOSTAS computer code. The first version uses a time-averaged coefficient approximation in conjunction with a multi-blade coordinate transformation for two bladed rotors to solve the equations of motion by standard eigenanalysis. The second version accounts for periodic coefficients while solving the equations by a time history integration. A hypothetical three-degree of freedom dynamic model was investigated. The exact equations of motion of this model were solved using the Floquet-Lipunov method. The equations with time-averaged coefficients were solved by standard eigenanalysis.

Kaza, K. R. V.↗

Analytical design of an advanced radial turbine

The aerodynamic and mechanical potential of a single stage ceramic radial inflow turbine was evaluated for a high temperature single stage automotive engine. The aerodynamic analysis utilizes a turbine system optimization technique to evaluate both radial and nonradial rotor blading. Selected turbine rotor configurations were evaluated mechanically with three dimensional finite element techniques. Results indicate that exceptionally high rotor tip speeds (2300 ft/sec) and performance potential are feasible with radial bladed rotors if the projected ceramic material properties are realized. Nonradial rotors reduced tip speed requirements (at constant turbine efficiency) but resulted in a lower cumulative probability of success due to higher blade and disk stresses.

Large, G. D.↗

Evaluation of a wind turbine electric power generator

A technical assessment of the aerodynamic performance of the wind wheel turbine (WWT) is reported. The potential of the WWT in utilizing wind as an alternate power source was evaluated. Scaling parameters were developed to predict the aerodynamic performance of WWT prototype sized to produce 3, 9, 30, and 100 kw outputs in a 6.7 m/sec wind.

Swim, W. B.↗

Evaluation of MOSTAS computer code for predicting dynamic loads in two-bladed wind turbines

Calculated dynamic blade loads are compared with measured loads over a range of yaw stiffnesses of the DOE/NASA Mod-0 wind turbine to evaluate the performance of two versions of the MOSTAS computer code. The first version uses a time-averaged coefficient approximation in conjunction with a multiblade coordinate transformation for two-bladed rotors to solve the equations of motion by standard eigenanalysis. The results obtained with this approximate analysis do not agree with dynamic blade load amplifications at or close to resonance conditions. The results of the second version, which accounts for periodic coefficients while solving the equations by a time history integration, compare well with the measured data.

Kaza, K. R. V.↗