Gas Turbine Engine Motoring System for Bowed Rotor Engine Starts

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Gas Turbine Engine Motoring System for Bowed Rotor Engine Starts (19) TZZ¥ Z¥_T (11) EP 3 205 838 A1 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION (43) Date of publication: (51) Int Cl.: 16.08.2017 Bulletin 2017/33 F01D 19/02 (2006.01) F02C 7/18 (2006.01) (21) Application number: 17155894.3 (22) Date of filing: 13.02.2017 (84) Designated Contracting States: (72) Inventors: AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB • PECH, John T. GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO Canton, CT Connecticut 06019 (US) PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR • SPIERLING, Todd A. Designated Extension States: Rockford, IL Illinois 61109 (US) BA ME Designated Validation States: (74) Representative: Stevens, Jason Paul MA MD Dehns St Bride’s House (30) Priority: 12.02.2016 US 201662294548 P 10 Salisbury Square London (71) Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation EC4Y 8JD (GB) Charlotte, NC 28217-4578 (US) (54) GAS TURBINE ENGINE MOTORING SYSTEM FOR BOWED ROTOR ENGINE STARTS (57) An engine starting system 100 for a gas turbine nected to at least one of the rotational components, the engine 250 is provided. The engine starting system 100 permanent magnet alternator 500 being configured to comprising: a gas turbine engine 250 including rotational rotate the rotational components; and a motor controller components comprising an engine compressor 256, an 420 in electronic communication with the permanent engine turbine 258, and a rotor shaft 259 operably con- magnet alternator, 500 the motor controller 420 being necting the engine turbine 258 to the engine compressor configured to command the permanent magnet alterna- 256, wherein each rotational component is configured to tor 500 to rotate the rotational components at a selected rotate when any one of the rotational components is ro- angular velocity for a selected period of time. tated; a permanent magnet alternator 500 operably con- EP 3 205 838 A1 Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR) 1 EP 3 205 838 A1 2 Description communication with the permanent magnet alternator, the motor controller being configured to command the BACKGROUND permanentmagnet alternator to rotate the rotational com- ponents at a selected angular velocity for a selected pe- [0001] The embodiments herein generally relate to gas 5 riod of time. turbine engines and more specifically, systems and [0006] In addition to one or more of the features de- method for cooling gas turbine engines. scribed above, or as an alternative, further embodiments [0002] Aircraft gas turbine engines are being designed of the engine starting system may include an accessory with tighter internal clearances between engine cases gearbox operably connecting the permanent magnet al- and blades of the compressor and turbine to increase 10 ternator to at least one of the rotational components. efficiency and reduce fuel burn. These tighter clearances [0007] In addition to one or more of the features de- can result in compressor blade tips and turbine blade tips scribed above, or as an alternative, further embodiments rubbing on the engine cases if the engine core bows as of the engine starting system may include where the per- it cools down between flights and an engine start is at- manent magnet alternator is configured to generate elec- tempted. 15 tricity when the rotational components are rotating under [0003] After engine shutdown, the main shafts, com- power of the gas turbine engine. pressor disks, turbine disks and other parts with large [0008] In addition to one or more of the features de- thermal mass cool at different rates. The heat rises to scribed above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the top of the engine allowing the lower portions of these of the engine starting system may include: an air turbine parts to become cooler than the upper portions. This20 starter comprising a turbine wheel including a hub inte- causes blade tip clearance between the engine case and grally attached to a turbine rotor shaft and a plurality of blades of the compressor and turbine to decrease as the turbineblades extending radially from the hub,the turbine engine shafts and cases bow temporarily due to uneven rotor shaft being operably connected to at least one of thermal conditions. This does not present a problem for the rotational components and configured to rotate the the engine unless an engine start is attempted while the 25 rotational components when air flows through the turbine bowed condition exists. To address this engine manu- blades and rotates the turbine wheel. facturers have found that motoring the engine at relatively [0009] In addition to one or more of the features de- low speed for a period of time prior to engine start allow scribed above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the parts to achieve uniform thermal conditions and elim- of the engine starting system may include: an auxiliary inate the bowed condition restoring blade tip to engine 30 power unit fluidly connected to the air turbine starter and case clearances. electrically connected to the permanent magnet alterna- [0004] The problem is how to motor the engine at very tor, the auxiliary power unit being configured to generate specific speeds for up to four minutes prior to engine electricity to power the permanent magnet alternator and start? Pneumatic or Air Turbine Starters are typically duty provide air to the air turbine starter to rotate the turbine cycle limited due to lubrication issues and heat dissipa- 35 blades. tion. Butterfly type start valves are typically solenoid ac- [0010] In addition to one or more of the features de- tuated and have diaphragms and linkage in the actuator scribed above, or as an alternative, further embodiments piston assembly that are prone to wear if they are being of the engine starting system may include: a starter air used to modulate and control starter speed. This type of valve fluidly connecting the auxiliary power unit to the air operation decreases the valve and start life significantly. 40 turbine starter, the starter air valve being configured to A more efficient method of motoring the gas turbine en- adjust airflow from the auxiliary power unit to the air tur- gine that does not cause excessive wear and tear is de- bine starter. sired. [0011] According to another embodiment, a method of assembling an engine starting system for a gas turbine BRIEF DESCRIPTION 45 engine is provided. The method of assembling compris- es: obtaining a gas turbine engine including rotational [0005] According to one embodiment, an engine start- components comprising an engine compressor, an en- ing system for a gas turbine engine is provided. The en- gine turbine, and a rotor shaft operably connecting the gine starting system comprises: a gas turbine engine in- engine turbine to the engine compressor, wherein each cluding rotational components comprising an engine50 rotational component is configured to rotate when any compressor, an engine turbine, and a rotor shaft operably one of the rotational components is rotated; operably connecting the engine turbine to the engine compressor, connecting a permanent magnet alternator to at least one wherein each rotational component is configured to ro- of the rotational components, the permanent magnet al- tate when any one of the rotational components is rotat- ternator being configured to rotate the rotational compo- ed; a permanent magnet alternator operably connected 55 nents; and electrically connecting a motor controller to to at least one of the rotational components, the perma- permanent magnet alternator, the motor controller being nent magnet alternator being configured to rotate the ro- configured to command the permanent magnet alterna- tational components; and a motor controller in electronic tor to rotate the rotational components at a selected an- 2 3 EP 3 205 838 A1 4 gular velocity for a selected period of time. gular velocity for a selected period of time. [0012] In addition to one or more of the features de- [0019] In addition to one or more of the features de- scribed above, or as an alternative, in further embodi- scribed above, or as an alternative, further embodiments ments of the method of assembling an engine starting of the method of cooling a gas turbine engine may in- system, the permanent magnet alternator is operably 5 clude: detecting a failure in a starter air valve prior to connected to at least one of the rotational components rotating the gas turbine engine with the permanent mag- through an accessory gearbox. net alternator, the starter air valve being fluidly connected [0013] In addition to one or more of the features de- to an air turbine starter and configured to provide air to scribed above, or as an alternative, in further embodi- the air turbine starter, wherein the air turbine starter is ments of the method of assembling an engine starting 10 operably connected to at least one of the rotational com- system, the permanent magnet alternator generates ponents and configured to rotate the rotational compo- electricity when the rotational components are rotating nents. under power of the gas turbine engine. [0020] In addition to one or more of the features de- [0014] In addition to one or more of the features de- scribed above, or as an alternative, further embodiments scribed above, or as an alternative, further embodiments 15 of the method of cooling a gas turbine engine may in- of the method of assembling an engine starting system clude: detecting when a temperature of the gas turbine may include: operably connecting an air turbine starter engine is less than a selected temperature; and display- to at least one of the rotational components, the air tur- ing a message on a cockpit display when the temperature bine starter comprising a turbine wheel including a hub of the gas turbine engine is less than a selected temper- integrally attached to a turbine rotor shaft and a plurality 20 ature.
Recommended publications
  • Failure Analysis of Gas Turbine Blades in a Gas Turbine Engine Used for Marine Applications
    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF International Journal of Engineering, Science and Technology MultiCraft ENGINEERING, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2014, pp. 43-48 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY www.ijest-ng.com www.ajol.info/index.php/ijest © 2014 MultiCraft Limited. All rights reserved Failure analysis of gas turbine blades in a gas turbine engine used for marine applications V. Naga Bhushana Rao1*, I. N. Niranjan Kumar2, K. Bala Prasad3 1* Department of Marine Engineering, Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam, INDIA 2 Department of Marine Engineering, Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam, INDIA 3 Department of Marine Engineering, Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam, INDIA *Corresponding Author: e-mail: [email protected] Tel +91-8985003487 Abstract High pressure temperature (HPT) turbine blade is the most important component of the gas turbine and failures in this turbine blade can have dramatic effect on the safety and performance of the gas turbine engine. This paper presents the failure analysis made on HPT turbine blades of 100 MW gas turbine used in marine applications. The gas turbine blade was made of Nickel based super alloys and was manufactured by investment casting method. The gas turbine blade under examination was operated at elevated temperatures in corrosive environmental attack such as oxidation, hot corrosion and sulphidation etc. The investigation on gas turbine blade included the activities like visual inspection, determination of material composition, microscopic examination and metallurgical analysis. Metallurgical examination reveals that there was no micro-structural damage due to blade operation at elevated temperatures. It indicates that the gas turbine was operated within the designed temperature conditions. It was observed that the blade might have suffered both corrosion (including HTHC & LTHC) and erosion.
    [Show full text]
  • Airport Rules and Regulations, Rev
    AIRPORT RULES and REGULATIONS AVI-POL-506 – DAL Airport Rules and Regulations, Rev. 2 (10/15/17) PURPOSE: The purpose of this manual is to publish Rules and Regulations for airport- approved operating procedures, terminal, safety and security requirements at in affect at Dallas Love Field. Nothing in these Rules and Regulations shall limit or constrain the legitimate authority of the Airport Director or designee. SCOPE: Dallas Love Field is owned and operated by the City of Dallas, Texas. These Airport Rules and Regulations apply to all airport employees (including City staff), tenant organizations, airlines and governmental organizations that work at, conduct business at, lease property, or otherwise have access to Dallas Love Field. They are put in place, to ensure that employees performing their jobs contribute to the Dallas Love Field goal of providing a safe and efficient airport. Chapter 5, of the Dallas City Code contains current City of Dallas Ordinances pertaining to Aircraft and Airports. Only the pertinent portions of the Chapter are included in these Rules and Regulations. AVI-POL-506 – DAL Airport Rules and Regulations Rev 2 - 10/15/17 Page ii Rules of Interpretation and Construction Wherever these Rules and Regulations refer to “applicable law,” such term shall refer to all present and future federal, state and local statutes, ordinances and regulations and City ordinances applicable to the Person or the Airport or the use thereof and judicial or administrative interpretations thereof, as amended from time to time, including but not limited to Transportation Security Regulations and Security Directives issued from time to time by DHS or TSA, Federal Regulations and Advisory Circulars issued from time to time by the FAA, these Rules and Regulations, Notices to Airmen (“NOTAMs”) and Airport Directives issued by the Department of Aviation from time to time and directions issued by the Air Traffic Control Tower.
    [Show full text]
  • Low Temperature Environment Operations of Turboengines
    0 Qo B n Y n 1c AGARD 2 ADVISORY GROUP FOR AEROSPACE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 3 7 RUE ANCELLE 92200 NEUILLY SUR SEINE FRANCE AGARD CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS 480 Low Temperature Environment Operations of Turboengines (Design and User's Problems) Fonctionnement des Turborkacteurs en Environnement Basse Tempkrature (Problkmes Pos& aux Concepteurs et aux Utilisateurs) processed I /by 'IMs ..................signed-...............date .............. NOT FOR DESTRUCTION - NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION I Distribution and Availability on Back Cover AGARD-CP-480 --I- ADVISORY GROUP FOR AEROSPACE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 7 RUE ANCELLE 92200 NEUILLY SUR SEINE FRANCE AGARD CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS 480 Low Temperature Environment Operations of Turboengines (Design and User's Problems) Fonctionnement des TurborLacteurs en Environnement Basse Tempkrature (Problkmes PoSes aux Concepteurs et aux Utilisateurs) Papers presented at the Propulsion and Energetics Panel 76th Symposium held in Brussels, Belgium, 8th-12th October 1990. - North Atlantic Treaty Organization --q Organisation du Traite de I'Atlantique Nord I The Mission of AGARD According to its Chartcr, the mission of AGARD is to bring together the leading personalities of the NATO nations in the fields of science and technology relating to aerospace for the following purposes: -Recommending effective ways for the member nations to use their research and development capabilities for the common benefit of the NATO community; - Providing scientific and technical advice and assistance to the Military Committee
    [Show full text]
  • Aerodynamic Design of ART-2B Rotor Blades
    August 2000 • NREL/SR-500-28473 NREL Advanced Research Turbine (ART) Aerodynamic Design of ART-2B Rotor Blades Dayton A. Griffin Global Energy Concepts, LLC Kirkland, Washington National Renewable Energy Laboratory 1617 Cole Boulevard Golden, Colorado 80401-3393 NREL is a U.S. Department of Energy Laboratory Operated by Midwest Research Institute • Battelle • Bechtel Contract No. DE-AC36-99-GO10337 August 2000 • NREL/SR-500-28473 NREL Advanced Research Turbine (ART) Aerodynamic Design of ART-2B Rotor Blades Dayton A. Griffin Global Energy Concepts, LLC Kirkland, Washington NREL Technical Monitor: Alan Laxson Prepared under Subcontract No. VAM-8-18208-01 National Renewable Energy Laboratory 1617 Cole Boulevard Golden, Colorado 80401-3393 NREL is a U.S. Department of Energy Laboratory Operated by Midwest Research Institute • Battelle • Bechtel Contract No. DE-AC36-99-GO10337 NOTICE This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States government. Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or any agency thereof.
    [Show full text]
  • A Parametric Study of the Effect of the Leading- Edge Tubercles Geometry on the Performance of Aeronautic Propeller Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
    Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering 2018 Vol II WCE 2018, July 4-6, 2018, London, U.K. A Parametric Study of the Effect of the Leading- Edge Tubercles Geometry on the Performance of Aeronautic Propeller using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Fahad Rafi Butt, and Tariq Talha Index Terms—amplitude, counter-rotating chord-wise Abstract— Several researchers have highlighted the fact that vortex, flow separation, span-wise flow, tubercle, wavelength the leading-edge tubercles on the humpback whale flippers enhances its maneuverability. Encouraging results obtained due to implementation of the leading-edge tubercles on wings as I. INTRODUCTION well as wind and tidal turbine blades and the fact that a limited research has been conducted related to the implementation of N this study effect of leading-edge tubercle geometry on leading-edge tubercles onto the aeronautic propeller blades was I propeller efficiency over wide range of flight speeds and the motivation for the present study. A propeller that spins rotational velocities was analyzed. Tubercles are round efficiently through air would directly result in environmental bumps that change the aerodynamics of a lift producing friendly flights. Small sized aeronautic propeller; an 8x3.8 body, such as aeronautic wings [1]-[11], wind and tidal propeller, was considered for the present study. As a part of turbine blades [12]-[13] and marine propellers [14] by this study, numerical simulations were carried out to explore the effect of leading-edge tubercle geometry on propeller delaying flow separation. The tubercles also act as a wing efficiency. The tubercle geometry was varied systematically by fence reducing both the span-wise flow and wing tip vortices changing the tubercle amplitude and wavelength.
    [Show full text]
  • AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS COURSE FILE III B. Tech II Semester
    ERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING MRCET (UGC Autonomous) – – AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS COURSE FILE III B. Tech II Semester (2017-2018) Prepared By Ms. L Sushma, Assoc. Prof Department of Aeronautical Engineering MALLA REDDY COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (Autonomous Institution – UGC, Govt. of India) Affiliated to JNTU, Hyderabad, Approved by AICTE - Accredited by NBA & NAAC – A Grade - ISO 9001:2015 Certified) Maisammaguda, Dhulapally (Post Via. Kompally), Secunderabad – 500100, Telangana State, India. III– II B. Tech Aircraft Systems By L SUSHMA I AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING MRCET (UGC Autonomous) – – MRCET VISION ฀ To become a model institution in the fields of Engineering, Technology and Management. ฀ To have a perfect synchronization of the ideologies of MRCET with challenging demands of International Pioneering Organizations. MRCET MISSION To establish a pedestal for the integral innovation, team spirit, originality and competence in the students, expose them to face the global challenges and become pioneers of Indian vision of modern society. MRCET QUALITY POLICY. ฀ To pursue continual improvement of teaching learning process of Undergraduate and Post Graduate programs in Engineering & Management vigorously. ฀ To provide state of art infrastructure and expertise to impart the quality education. III– II B. Tech Aircraft Systems By L SUSHMA II AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING MRCET (UGC Autonomous) – – PROGRAM OUTCOMES (PO’s) Engineering Graduates will be able to: 1. Engineering knowledge: Apply the knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals,
    [Show full text]
  • Damageability of Gas Turbine Blades – Evaluation of Exhaust Gas Temperature in Front of the Turbine Using a Non-Linear Observer
    19 Damageability of Gas Turbine Blades – Evaluation of Exhaust Gas Temperature in Front of the Turbine Using a Non-Linear Observer Józef Błachnio and Wojciech Izydor Pawlak Air Force Institute of Technology (Instytut Techniczny Wojsk Lotniczxych-ITWL), Poland 1. Introduction A turbine is a fluid-flow machine that converts enthalpy of the working agent, also referred to as the thermodynamic agent (a stream of exhaust gas, gaseous products of decomposition reactions or compressed gas) into mechanical work that results in the rotation of the turbine rotor. This available work, together with the mass flow intensity of the working agent, define power that can be developed by the turbine and subsequently used to drive various pieces of equipment (e.g. compressors of turbojet engines). The basic advantages of gas turbines include: possibility to develop high power at rather compact dimensions and low bare weight, relatively high efficiency of the energy conversion process, simple design and high reliability of operation (Błachnio, 2004, 2007; Kroes et al., 1992; Sieniawski, 1995). On the other hand, the drawbacks are: high operating temperatures of some components, sophisticated geometrical shapes of the components, e.g. blades and vanes, which makes the manufacturing process difficult, as well as high working speeds of rotors that impose the need to apply reduction gears, e.g. when turbine-power receivers show limited rotational speeds. Because of the direction of flow of the exhaust gas, turbines are classified as axial-flow and radial-flow systems. Each turbine is made up of two basic subassemblies that compose the turbine stage. A stationary rim with profiled vanes fixed co-axially (axial-flow turbines) or in parallel (radial-flow turbines), i.e.
    [Show full text]
  • Application of Conjugate Heat Transfer (Cht) Methodology for Computation of Heat Transfer on a Turbine Blade
    APPLICATION OF CONJUGATE HEAT TRANSFER (CHT) METHODOLOGY FOR COMPUTATION OF HEAT TRANSFER ON A TURBINE BLADE A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Jatin Gupta, B.Tech. ***** The Ohio State University 2009 Master’s Examination Committee: Approved by Prof. Seppo Korpela, Adviser Dr. Ali A. Ameri, Co-adviser Adviser Prof. Sandip Mazumder Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering c Copyright by Jatin Gupta 2009 ABSTRACT The conventional thermal design method of cooled turbine blade consists of inde- pendent decoupled analysis of the blade external flow, the blade internal flow and the analysis of heat conduction in the blade itself. To make such a calculation, proper interface conditions need to be applied. In the absence of film cooling, a proper treatment would require computation of heat transfer coefficient by computing heat flux for an assumed wall temperature. This yields an invariant h to the wall and free stream temperature that is consistent with the coupled calculation. When film-cooling is involved the decoupled method does not yield a heat transfer coefficient that is invariant and a coupled analysis becomes necessary. Fast computers have made possible this analysis of coupling the conduction to both the internal and external flow. Such a single coupled numerical simulation is known as conjugate heat transfer simulation. The conjugate heat transfer methodology has been employed to predict the flow and thermal properties, including the metal temperature, of a particular NASA tur- bine vane. The three-dimensional turbine vane is subjected to hot mainstream flow and is cooled with air flowing radially through ten cooling channels.
    [Show full text]
  • Vol1 AIA Rotor Burst Small Fragment Committeee Report Fina…
    AIA Report On High Bypass Ratio Turbine Engine Uncontained Rotor Events And Small Fragment Threat Characterization Volume 1 AIA Project Report on High Bypass Ratio Turbine Engine Uncontained Rotor Events and Small Fragment Threat Characterization 1969-2006 Volume 1 January 2010 1969 –2006 HIGH BYPASS COMMERCIAL TURBOFANS 1 AIA Report On High Bypass Ratio Turbine Engine Uncontained Rotor Events And Small Fragment Threat Characterization Volume 1 Contributing Organizations and Individuals Ranee Carr AIA Hubert Parinaud Airbus Terrance Tritz Boeing Commercial Aircraft Van Winters Boeing Commercial Aircraft Thalerson Alves Embraer Sarah Knife (Chair) General Electric William Fletcher Rolls-Royce Michael Young Pratt & Whitney Douglas Zabawa Pratt & Whitney 1969 –2006 HIGH BYPASS COMMERCIAL TURBOFANS 2 AIA Report On High Bypass Ratio Turbine Engine Uncontained Rotor Events And Small Fragment Threat Characterization Volume 1 Table Of Contents Contributing Organizations and Individuals ................................................ 2 Table Of Contents ..................................................................................................... 3 Table of Figures ......................................................................................................... 6 List Of Tables .............................................................................................................. 8 Executive Summary ................................................................................................. 9 1. Introduction..........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Preliminary Design and Optimization of Axial Turbines Accounting for Diffuser Performance
    International Journal of Turbomachinery Propulsion and Power Article Preliminary Design and Optimization of Axial Turbines Accounting for Diffuser Performance Roberto Agromayor * and Lars O. Nord Department of Energy and Process Engineering, NTNU—The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Kolbj. Hejes v. 1B, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 19 May 2019; Accepted: 11 September 2019; Published: 18 September 2019 Abstract: Axial turbines are the most common turbine configuration for electric power generation and propulsion systems due to their versatility in terms of power capacity and range of operating conditions. Mean-line models are essential for the preliminary design of axial turbines and, despite being covered to some extent in turbomachinery textbooks, only some scientific publications present a comprehensive formulation of the preliminary design problem. In this context, a mean-line model and optimization methodology for the preliminary design of axial turbines with any number of stages is proposed. The model is formulated to use arbitrary equations of state and empirical loss models and it accounts for the influence of the diffuser on turbine performance using a one-dimensional flow model. The mathematical problem was formulated as a constrained, optimization problem, and solved using gradient-based algorithms. In addition, the model was validated against two test cases from the literature and it was found that the deviation between experimental data and model prediction in terms of mass flow rate and power output was less than 1.2% for both cases and that the deviation of the total-to-static efficiency was within the uncertainty of the empirical loss models.
    [Show full text]
  • Taxonomy of Gas Turbine Blade Defects
    Article Taxonomy of Gas Turbine Blade Defects Jonas Aust and Dirk Pons * Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +64-33-695-826 Received: 4 April 2019; Accepted: 17 May 2019; Published: 21 May 2019 Abstract: Context—The maintenance of aero engines is intricate, time-consuming, costly and has significant functional and safety implications. Engine blades and vanes are the most rejected parts during engine maintenance. Consequently, there is an ongoing need for more effective and efficient inspection processes. Purpose—This paper defines engine blade defects, assigns root-causes, shows causal links and cascade effects and provides a taxonomy system. Approach—Defect types were identified from the literature and maintenance manuals, categorisations were devised and an ontology was created. Results—Defect was categorised into Surface Damage, Wear, Material Separation and Material Deformation. A second categorisation identified potential causes of Impact, Environmental causes, Operational causes, Poor maintenance, Poor manufacturing and Fatigue. These two categorisations were integrated with an ontology. Originality—The work provides a single comprehensive illustrated list of engine blade defects, and a standardised defect terminology, which currently does not exist in the aviation industry. It proposes a taxonomy for both engine blade defects and root-causes, and shows that these may be related using an ontology. Keywords: aero engine; blade defects; blade failure; gas turbine; NDI; NDT; MRO; ontology; visual inspection 1. Introduction The operation of modern gas turbines demands ever higher temperatures, pressures and rotational speeds to increase power and improve efficiency [1].
    [Show full text]
  • Optimization of a Turboramjet Hot Section with an Interstage Turbine Burner
    Optimization of a Turboramjet Hot Section with an Interstage Turbine Burner by Caitlin R. Thorn A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Auburn University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Auburn, Alabama May 7, 2016 Approved by Roy Hartfield, Chair, Walt and Virginia Woltosz Professor of Aerospace Engineering John Burkhalter, Professor Emeritus of Aerospace Engineering David Scarborough, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering Brian Thurow, W. Allen and Martha Reed Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering Abstract A turbine based combined cycle engine (TBCC) is currently in development for use in the SR-72 reconnaissance aircraft, the successor to the SR-71 Blackbird. With a proposed operating range of Mach 0-6, there is a need for an efficient transition from the turbine engine to the ramjet cycle. This work introduces an interstage turbine burner (ITB) in between the high and low pressure turbine stages of a turboramjet model and utilizes a hybrid genetic and evolution strategies algorithm in conjunction with a multi-block high fidelity flow solver to aerothermally optimize the three-dimensional turbine blade geometry of the high and low pressure turbines stages within the TBCC model. This allows for an engine performance improvement in thrust and thrust specific fuel consumption (TSFC) and thus a more efficient transition to the ramjet cycle. The hybrid genetic and evolution strategies algorithm used in this research utilizes a Navier-Stokes viscous flow solver and allows for a two stage turbine optimization within six days utilizing a computer cluster and parallel processing. The viscous flow solver performs a multi-block optimization in which a turbine stage is optimized simultaneously versus a serial optimization in which the stator is first optimized, followed by the rotor.
    [Show full text]