Session: 19-02 Applications

Paper Number: 151906

Development of High Speed Aeropropulsion Engine Simulator With Foil Bearings 

Small turbo jets with engine thrust below ~500lb are designed with fuel-lubricated rolling element bearings with very short lifespan requirement, i.e., just a few hrs. However, expandable engines above 500lbf are designed as turbo fan. These expandable turbo fan engines are also designed with rolling element bearings, and they require frequent maintenance, replenishing oil to prevent oil degradation over long period of stocking.

Replacing the rolling element bearings with foil bearings on these expandable turbo fan engines, especially, on high-speed spools, greatly simplifies maintenance issues, and also allow higher operating temperature of the turbine core.

The range of engine thrust of expandable turbo fan engines, where foil bearings are applicable, is 500lbf~5000lbf, considering the shaft size, speed, and rotor weight.

Foil bearings are being developed for 1000lbf and 5000lbf class turbo fan engines focusing on high-speed spool, where maintenance is difficult and working environment is also very harsh in temperature. The development of foil bearings for such demanding application requires not only improving the foil bearing design/analysis tool, but also comprehensive experimental program.

This paper presents design features of the high speed rotor of 1000lbf class turbo fan engines and engine simulator rig, and current status of developmental tests. The test rig is designed with environmental temperature control on the bearing compartment mimicking actual engine operating temperature, and axial force to the thrust bearing is applied through balance piston seals.

Presenting Author: Daejong Kim The University of Texas at Arlington

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Daejong Kim is currently Associate Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington with research interest in foil bearings, rotordynamics, and oil-free energy systems. He earned his PhD degree from University of Texas at Austin in 2004. He began his academic career as Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University in 2004, and moved to UT-Arlington in 2009. He published more than 50 peer reviewed journal and conference papers on foil bearings since 2006.

Authors:

Daejong Kim The University of Texas at Arlington
Jared Taketa Rolls-Royce Corporation