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At least 937 records · Page 52

Development of spiral-groove self-acting seals for helicopter engines

A spiral-groove, self-acting face seal was rig tested at advanced gas turbine operating conditions to determine wear and leakage rates. The spiral-groove, self-acting geometry was located in the rotating seal seat. Seal component wear induced by start-stop operation was measured after subjecting the test seal to 176 start-stop cycles. Wear occurring during normal operation was documented throughout a 75-hour endurance test. Seal air leakage was also measured. During endurance operation, the seal was subjected to operating conditions bounded by the values surface speed - 244 m/s (800 ft/sec), air pressure - 148 N/sq cm abs (215 psia), and air temperature - 622 K (660 F). The post-test condition of the seal components was documented. Wear data is presented in tabular form, while seal air leakage is presented graphically, as a function of pressure and speed.

Obrien, M.↗

Plasma-sprayed zirconia gas path seal technology: A state-of-the-art review

The benefits derived from application of ceramic materials to high pressure turbine gas path seal components are described and the developmental backgrounds of various approaches are reviewed. The most fully developed approaches are those employing plasma sprayed zirconium oxide as the ceramic material. Prevention of cracking and spalling of the zirconium oxide under cyclic thermal shock conditions imposed by the engine operating cycle is the most immediate problem to be solved before implementation is undertaken. Three promising approaches to improving cyclic thermal shock resistance are described and comparative rig performance of each are reviewed. Advanced concepts showing potential for performance improvements are described.

Bill, R. C.↗

The hot corrosion of Co-25Cr-10Ni-5Ta-3Al-0.5Y alloy /S-57/

A cobalt-base alloy, Co-25Cr-10Ni-5Ta-3Al-0.5Y (S-57), was subjected to hot corrosion in Mach 0.3 burner-rig combustion gases at maximum alloy temperatures of 900 and 1000 C. Various salt concentrations were injected into the burner: 0.5, 2,5, and 10 parts per million synthetic sea salt and 4 parts per million sodium sulfate (Na2SO4). The extent of corrosion was determined by measuring the maximum depth of corrosion in the alloy, and the corrosion process was studied by metallography, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and electron microprobe analysis. While S-57 was found to possess only moderate oxidation resistance at these temperatures, this alloy resisted significant hot corrosion attack under all but the most severe test conditions. The process of hot corrosion attack under the most severe conditions of this study was primarily sulfidation.

Santoro, G. J.↗

Wide range operation of advanced low NOx aircraft gas turbine combustors

The paper summarizes the results of an experimental test rig program designed to define and demonstrates techniques which would allow the jet-induced circulation and vortex air blast combustors to operate stably with acceptable emissions at simulated engine idle without compromise to the low NOx emissions under the high-altitude supersonic cruise condition. The discussion focuses on the test results of the key combustor modifications for both the simulated engine idle and cruise conditions. Several range-augmentation techniques are demonstrated that allow the lean-reaction premixed aircraft gas turbine combustor to operate with low NOx emissons at engine cruise and acceptable CO and UHC levels at engine idle. These techniques involve several combinations, including variable geometry and fuel switching designs.

Roberts, P. B.↗

Effect of inlet temperature on the performance of a catalytic reactor

A 12-cm-diameter by 15-cm-long catalytic reactor was tested with No. 2 diesel fuel in a combustion test rig at inlet temperatures of 700, 800, 900, and 1000 K. Other test conditions included pressures of 300,000 and 600,000 Pa, reference velocities of 10, 15, and 20 m/s, and adiabatic combustion temperatures in the range from 1100 to 1400 K. The combustion efficiency was calculated from measurements of carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon emissions. Nitrogen oxide emissions and reactor pressure drop were also measured. At a reference velocity of 10 m/s, the CO and unburned hydrocarbons emissions and, therefore, the combustion efficiency were independent of inlet temperature. At an inlet temperature of 1000 K, they were independent of reference velocity. Nitrogen oxides emissions resulted from conversion of the small amount of fuel-bound nitrogen in the fuel. Up to 90% conversion was observed with no apparent effect of any of the test variables. For typical gas-turbine operating conditions, all three pollutants were below levels which would permit the most stringent proposed automotive emissions standards to be met.

Anderson, D. N.↗

Correlation of combustor acoustic power levels inferred from internal fluctuating pressure measurements

Combustion chamber acoustic power levels inferred from internal fluctuating pressure measurements are correlated with operating conditions and chamber geometries over a wide range. The variables include considerations of chamber design (can, annular, and reverse-flow annular) and size, number of fuel nozzles, burner staging and fuel split, airflow and heat release rates, and chamber inlet pressure and temperature levels. The correlated data include those obtained with combustion component development rigs as well as engines.

Von Glahn, U. H.↗

Correlations of catalytic combustor performance parameters

A 12-cm-diameter catalytic combustor test rig using propane fuel at an inlet temperature of 800 K, a pressure of 300,000 Pa, and reference velocities from 10 to 20 m/s was studied. Combustion efficiency at the test conditions is a function of the catalyst bed cell density, cell circumference, reactor length, and the reference velocity; the efficiency was also dependent on the adiabatic reaction temperature to the tenth power. The percentage pressure drop is proportional to the reference velocity to the 1.5 power and is also proportional to the reactor length and inversely proportional to the cell hydraulic diameter, fractional open area, and the pressure. The minimum adiabatic reaction temperature required to meet the emissions goals is proportional to the reference velocity to the 0.1 power and inversely proportional to the cell circumference, cell density, and reactor length to the 0.1 power. The parameters which are a function of a catalyst factor are reported.

Bulzan, D. L.↗

Laser balancing demonstration on a high-speed flexible rotor

This paper describes a flexible rotor system used for two-plane laser balancing and an experimental demonstration of the laser material removal method for balancing. A laboratory test rotor was modified to accept balancing corrections using a laser metal removal method while the rotor is at operating speed. The laser setup hardware required to balance the rotor using two correction planes is described. The test rig optical configuration and a neodymium glass laser were assembled and calibrated for material removal rates. Rotor amplitudes before and after balancing, trial and correction weights, rotor speed during operation of laser, and balancing time were documented. The rotor was balanced through the first bending critical speed using the laser material removal procedure to apply trial weights and correction weights without stopping the rotor.

Demuth, R. S.↗

A review of Curtiss-Wright rotary engine developments with respect to general aviation potential

Aviation related rotary (Wankel-type) engine tests, possible growth directions and relevant developments at Curtiss-Wright have been reviewed. Automotive rotary engines including stratified charge are described and flight test results of rotary aircraft engines are presented. The current 300 HP engine prototype shows basic durability and competitive performance potential. Recent parallel developments have separately confirmed the geometric advantages of the rotary engine for direct injected unthrottled stratified charge. Specific fuel consumption equal to or better than pre- or swirl-chamber diesels, low emission and multi-fuel capability have been shown by rig tests of similar rotary engine.

Jones, C.↗

Progress on Variable Cycle Engines

Progress in the development and future requirements of the Variable Stream Control Engine (VSCE) are presented. The two most critical components of this advanced system for future supersonic transports, the high performance duct burner for thrust augmentation, and the low jet coannular nozzle were studied. Nozzle model tests substantiated the jet noise benefit associated with the unique velocity profile possible with a coannular nozzle system on a VSCE. Additional nozzle model performance tests have established high thrust efficiency levels only at takeoff and supersonic cruise for this nozzle system. An experimental program involving both isolated component and complete engine tests has been conducted for the high performance, low emissions duct burner with good results and large scale testing of these two components is being conducted using a F100 engine as the testbed for simulating the VSCE. Future work includes application of computer programs for supersonic flow fields to coannular nozzle geometries, further experimental testing with the duct burner segment rig, and the use of the Variable Cycle Engine (VCE) Testbed Program for evaluating the VSCE duct burner and coannular nozzle technologies.

Westmoreland, J. S.↗

A simple apparatus for the experimental study of non-steady flow thrust-augmenter ejector configurations

A flexible, and easily modified, test rig is described which allows a one dimensional nonsteady flow stream to be generated, economically from a steady flow source of compressed air. This nonsteady flow is used as the primary stream in a nonsteady flow ejector constituting part of the test equipment. Standard piezo-electric pressure transducers etc. allow local pressures to be studied, as functions of time, in both the primary and secondary (mixed) flow portions of the apparatus. Provision is also made for measuring the primary and secondary mass flows and the thrust generated. Sample results obtained with the equipment are presented.

Khare, J. M.↗

Second generation PMR polyimide/fiber composites

A second generation polymerization monomeric reactants (PMR) polyimdes matrix system (PMR 2) was characterized in both neat resin and composite form with two different graphite fiber reinforcements. Three different formulated molecular weight levels of laboratory prepared PMR 2 were examined, in addition to a purchased experimental fully formulated PMR 2 precurser solution. Isothermal aging of graphite fibers, neat resin samples and composite specimens in air at 316 C were investigated. Humidity exposures at 65 C and 97 percent relative humidity were conducted for both neat resin and composites for eight day periods. Anaerobic char of neat resin and fire testing of composites were conducted with PMR 15, PMR 2, and an epoxy system. Composites were fire tested on a burner rig developed for this program. Results indicate that neat PMR 2 resins exhibit excellent isothermal resistance and that PMR 2 composite properties appear to be influenced by the thermo-oxidative stability of the reinforcing fiber.

Cavano, P. J.↗

Feasibility of SiC composite structures for 1644 deg gas turbine seal applications

The feasibility of silicon carbide composite structures was evaluated for 1644 K gas turbine seal applications. The silicon carbide composites evaluated consisted of Si/SiC Silcomp (Trademark) - and sintered silicon carbide as substrates, both with attached surface layers containing BN as an additive. A total of twenty-eight candidates with variations in substrate type and density, and layer chemistry, density, microstructure, and thickness were evaluated for abradability, cold particle erosion resistance, static oxidation resistance, ballistic impact resistance, and fabricability. The BN-free layers with variations in density and pore size were later added for evaluation. The most promising candidates were evaluated for Mach 1.0 gas oxidation/erosion resistance from 1477 K to 1644 K. The as-fabricated rub layers did not perform satisfactorily in the gas oxidation/erosion tests. However, preoxidation was found to be beneficial in improving the hot gas erosion resistance. Overall, the laboratory and rig test evaluations show that material properties are suitable for 1477 K gas turbine seal applications.

Darolia, R.↗

NASA broad-specification fuels combustion technology program: Status and description

The program presented is a contracted effort to evolve and demonstrate the technology required to utilize broad-specification fuels in current and next generation commercial Conventional Takeoff and Landing aircraft engines, and to verify this technology in full-scale engine tests in 1983. The program consists of three phases: Combustor Concept Screening, Combustor Optimization Testing, and Engine Verification Testing. The development and screening of the combustion system designs for the CF6-80 engine and the JT9D-7 engine, respectively, in high-pressure sector test rigs are reported.

Fear, J. S.↗

Laser-optical blade tip clearance measurement system

A laser-optical measurement system was developed to measure single blade tip clearances and average blade tip clearances between a rotor and its gas path seal in rotating component rigs and complete engines. The system is applicable to fan, compressor and turbine blade tip clearance measurements. The engine mounted probe is particularly suitable for operation in the extreme turbine environment. The measurement system consists of an optical subsystem, an electronic subsystem and a computing and graphic terminal. Bench tests and environmental tests were conducted to confirm operation at temperatures, pressures, and vibration levels typically encountered in an operating gas turbine engine.

Barranger, J. P.↗

Status of the DOE/NASA critical gas turbine research and technology project

Activities performed in order to provide an R&T data base for utility gas turbine systems burning coal-derived fuels are described. Experiments were run to determine the corrosivity effects of trace metal contaminants (and potential fuel additives) on gas turbine materials and these results were correlated in a corrosion-life prediction model. Actual fuels were burned in a burner rig hot corrosion test to verify the model. A deposition prediction model was assembled and compared with results of actual coal-derived fuel deposition tests. Thermal barrier coatings were tested to determine their potential for protecting gas turbine hardware from the corrosive contaminants. Several coatings were identified with significantly improved spallation-resistance (and, hence, corrosion resistance).

Clark, J. S.↗

Quiet Clean Short-haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE) main reduction gears test program

Sets of under the wing (UTW) engine reduction gears and sets of over the wing (OTW) engine reduction gears were fabricated for rig testing and subsequent installation in engines. The UTW engine reduction gears which have a ratio of 2.465:1 and a design rating of 9712 kW at 3157 rpm fan speed were operated at up to 105% speed at 60% torque and 100% speed at 125% torque. The OTW engine reduction gears which have a ratio of 2.062:1 and a design rating of 12,615 kW at 3861 rpm fan speed were operated at up to 95% speed at 50% torque and 80% speed at 109% torque. Satisfactory operation was demonstrated at powers up to 12,172 kW, mechanical efficiency up to 99.1% UTW, and a maximum gear pitch line velocity of 112 m/s (22,300 fpm) with a corresponding star gear spherical roller bearing DN of 850,00 OTW. Oil and star gear bearing temperatures, oil churning, heat rejection, and vibratory characteristics were acceptable for engine installation.

Misel, O. W.↗

Quiet Clean Short-haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE) whirl test of cam/harmonic pitch change actuation system

A variable pitch fan actuation system, which incorporates a remote nacelle mounted blade angle regulator, was tested. The regulator drives a rotating fan mounted mechanical actuator through a flexible shaft and differential gear train. The actuator incorporates a high ratio harmonic drive attached to a multitrack spherical cam which changes blade pitch through individual cam follower arms attached to each blade trunnion. Testing of the actuator on a whirl rig, is reported. Results of tests conducted to verify that the unit satisfied the design requirements and was structurally adequate for use in an engine test are presented.

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