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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 361 records · Page 20

The supersonic through-flow turbofan for high Mach propulsion

A study was done to evaluate the potential improvements in aircraft turbine engine performance by incorporating unique supersonic through-flow fans. Engine performance, weight, and mission studies were carried out for conventional turbofan engines using supersonic through-flow fans. A Mach 3 commercial transport mission was considered. The advantages of the supersonic fan engines were evaluated in terms of mission range comparisons between the supersonic fan engines and conventional engines. The installed specific fuel consumption of the supersonic fan engines was 12 percent better than the conventional engines and the installed weight was projected to be 25 percent lighter. For a takeoff gross weight of 550,000 lbs, the aircraft powered by supersonic fan engines had a range capability of 6600 nm compared to 5300 nm (a 25% improvement) for conventional engines.

Franciscus, Leo C.↗

The supersonic through-flow turbofan for high Mach propulsion

A study was done to evaluate the potential improvements in aircraft turbine engine performance by incorporating unique supersonic through-flow fans. Engine performance, weight, and mission studies were carried out for conventional turbofan engines using supersonic through-flow fans. A Mach 3 commercial transport mission was considered. The advantages of the supersonic fan engines were evaluated in terms of mission range comparisons between the supersonic fan engines and conventional engines. The installed specific fuel consumption of the supersonic fan engines was 12 percent better than the conventional engines and the installed weight was projected to be 25 percent lighter. For a takeoff gross weight of 550,000 lbs, the aircraft powered by supersonic fan engines had a range capability of 6600 nm compared to 5300 nm (a 25 percent improvement) for conventional engines.

Franciscus, Leo C.↗

Computational Infrastructure for Engine Structural Performance Simulation

Select computer codes developed over the years to simulate specific aspects of engine structures are described. These codes include blade impact integrated multidisciplinary analysis and optimization, progressive structural fracture, quantification of uncertainties for structural reliability and risk, benefits estimation of new technology insertion and hierarchical simulation of engine structures made from metal matrix and ceramic matrix composites. Collectively these codes constitute a unique infrastructure readiness to credibly evaluate new and future engine structural concepts throughout the development cycle from initial concept, to design and fabrication, to service performance and maintenance and repairs, and to retirement for cause and even to possible recycling. Stated differently, they provide 'virtual' concurrent engineering for engine structures total-life-cycle-cost.

Chamis, Christos C.↗

The supersonic fan engine: An advanced concept in supersonic cruise propulsion

Engine performance and mission studies were carried out for turbofan engines equipped with supersonic through-flow fans. The mission was for a commercial supersonic transport with a Mach 2.32 capability. The advantages of the supersonic fan engines are discussed in terms of mission range comparisons with other engine types. The effects of fan efficiency, inlet losses, and engine weight on engine performance and mission range are shown. The range of a supersonic transport with supersonic fan engines could be 10 to 20 percent better than with other types having the same technology core.

Franciscus, L. C.↗

Development of a medium-duty stoichiometric diesel micro-pilot natural gas engine

Fueling a compression-ignition engine with premixed natural gas offers the potential to combine a clean-burning, low-carbon fuel with a high compression ratio, high-efficiency engine. This work describes the development of a multi-cylinder 6.7 L diesel engine converted to run stoichiometric diesel micro-pilot/ natural gas premix combustion with a maximum diesel contribution target of 5% of the total fuel energy and a three-way catalyst aftertreatment system. Results are given by comparing the stoichiometric combustion to the diesel baseline operation, showing combustion characteristics differences, including the rapid two stage heat release. A high load output of 23 bar brake mean effective pressure was obtained with diesel-like brake thermal efficiency of 41%. This operating condition enabled a brake specific CO 2 emissions reduction of up to 25% when compared to diesel. It was observed that the low load output is limited by combustion stability when operated at stoichiometric condition. The three-way catalyst is observed to run at peak efficiency with an equivalence ratio of 1.01. Injector fouling was observed through the inspection of the nozzle and its internal parts, indicating carbon build-up similar to that seen in injector coking mechanisms. A comparison of the developed engine to other engine technologies is given, showing that the diesel micro-pilot natural gas engine performance is in good standing among other diesel and gas engines in the market.

Engineering↗

Design of Combustor for Long-range Ram-jet Engine and Performance of Rectangular Analog

The report describes the design of a piloted combustor intended for a ram-jet engine of long flight range. The unit comprises a large annular basket of V-type cross-section, the inner surface of which is slotted and bent into small V-gutters. At the trailing edge of the basket, eight V-gutters are used to propagate the flame into the main stream. A rectangular analog of this combustor was tested at air-flow conditions corresponding to those that might be obtained during cruise. At these conditions, combustion efficiencies of as much as 90 percent were calculated for the combustor at the design equivalence ratio of 0.52. The performance of the unit was relatively insensitive to mounting and flow variables; the greatest effect on efficiency was that of the manner and location of the fuel injection. A full-scale version of this combustor has been designed for a 48-inch-diameter engine.

ENGINES, RAM-JET - COMBUSTION CHAMBERS↗

Propeller performance and weight predictions appended to the Navy/NASA engine program

The Navy/NASA Engine Performance (NNEP) is a general purpose computer program currently employed by government, industry and university personnel to simulate the thermodynamic cycles of turbine engines. NNEP is a modular program which has the ability to evaluate the performance of an arbitrary engine configuration defined by the user. In 1979, a program to calculate engine weight (WATE-2) was developed by Boeing's Military Division under NASA contract. This program uses a preliminary design approach to determine engine weights and dimensions. Because the thermodynamic and configuration information required by the weight code was available in NNEP, the weight code was appended to NNEP. Due to increased emphasis on fuel economy, a renewed interest has developed in propellers. This report describes the modifications developed by NASA to both NNEP and WATE-2 to determine the performance, weight and dimensions of propellers and the corresponding gearbox. The propeller performance model has three options, two of which are based on propeller map interpolation. Propeller and gearbox weights are obtained from empirical equations which may easily be modified by the user.

Plencner, R. M.↗

Uprated orbital maneuvering engine

The baseline orbital maneuvering system (OMS) of the Space Shuttle has the potential for significant performance uprating, leading to increased Shuttle payload capability. The baseline OMS, its requirements, and its operational characteristics are described. Potential uprating approaches are discussed and the logic for selection of a higher performance engine is presented. It is shown that a higher performance engine essentially means an engine operating at higher pressures and that a pump-fed engine is necessary for the higher pressure operation. A description of the uprated OMS engine, including requirements, baseline engine characteristics, and significant engine issues, is presented. Discussion of the program underway at the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center to attain additional insight into these issues, through the performance of a component demonstration program, includes the technical objectives, approach, and program schedule. The plans for further development are presented, culminating in the plans for integration with the Orbiter and the Shuttle system.

Hooper, J. C.↗

Analytical design and performance studies of the nuclear light bulb engine

Analytical studies were conducted to investigate in detail the heat balance characteristics of the nuclear light bulb engine. Distributions of energy deposition to all engine components from the fission process, conduction and convection, and thermal radiation were considered. Where uncertainties in basic data or heat transfer characteristics were encountered, ranges of heat loads were calculated and reference values were selected. The influence of these heat loads on engine performance, space radiator requirements, and cooling sequence and cooling circuit designs was determined. The analyses resulted in revisions to the previously reported reference engine characteristics, principally in the heat loads to some engine components and in the cooling sequence. These revisions were incorporated in the engine dynamics digital computer simulation program. No significant changes occurred in the dynamic response of the engine to perturbations in fuel injection rate, reactivity or exhaust nozzle area.

Rodgers, R. J.↗

ENGINEL: A single rotor turbojet engine cycle match performance program

ENGINEL is a computer program which was developed to generate the design and off-design performance of a single rotor turbojet engine with or without afterburning using a cycle match procedure. It is capable of producing engine performance over a wide range of altitudes and Mach numbers. The flexibility, of operating with a variable geometry turbine, for improved off-design fuel consumption or with a fixed geometry turbine as in conventional turbojets, has been incorporated. In addition, the option of generation engine performance with JP4, liquid hydrogen or methane as fuel is provided.

Lovell, W. A.↗

Apparatus for sensor failure detection and correction in a gas turbine engine control system

A gas turbine engine control system maintains a selected level of engine performance despite the failure or abnormal operation of one or more engine parameter sensors. The control system employs a continuously updated engine model which simulates engine performance and generates signals representing real time estimates of the engine parameter sensor signals. The estimate signals are transmitted to a control computational unit which utilizes them in lieu of the actual engine parameter sensor signals to control the operation of the engine. The estimate signals are also compared with the corresponding actual engine parameter sensor signals and the resulting difference signals are utilized to update the engine model. If a particular difference signal exceeds specific tolerance limits, the difference signal is inhibited from updating the model and a sensor failure indication is provided to the engine operator.

Spang, H. A., III↗

Effects of film injection on performance of a cooled turbine

Tests were conducted in a 20 inch diameter single stage air cooled turbine designed to evaluate the effects of film cooling air on turbine aerodynamic performance. A comparison was made of the experimental results and an analytical method of evaluating film injection effects on turbine performance. The results are used to determine the effects of film cooling on overall engine performance for selected cycle conditions. The engine performance studies are used to show the cycle benefits of increased gas temperature at various coolant flow rates.

Mcdonel, J. D.↗

Cascade Optimization for Aircraft Engines With Regression and Neural Network Analysis - Approximators

The NASA Engine Performance Program (NEPP) can configure and analyze almost any type of gas turbine engine that can be generated through the interconnection of a set of standard physical components. In addition, the code can optimize engine performance by changing adjustable variables under a set of constraints. However, for engine cycle problems at certain operating points, the NEPP code can encounter difficulties: nonconvergence in the currently implemented Powell's optimization algorithm and deficiencies in the Newton-Raphson solver during engine balancing. A project was undertaken to correct these deficiencies. Nonconvergence was avoided through a cascade optimization strategy, and deficiencies associated with engine balancing were eliminated through neural network and linear regression methods. An approximation-interspersed cascade strategy was used to optimize the engine's operation over its flight envelope. Replacement of Powell's algorithm by the cascade strategy improved the optimization segment of the NEPP code. The performance of the linear regression and neural network methods as alternative engine analyzers was found to be satisfactory. This report considers two examples-a supersonic mixed-flow turbofan engine and a subsonic waverotor-topped engine-to illustrate the results, and it discusses insights gained from the improved version of the NEPP code.

Patnaik, Surya N.↗

Advanced blade tip seal system, volume 2

The results of the endurance and performance engine tests conducted on monocrystal/abrasive-tipped CF6-50 Stage 1 HPT blades fabricated in Task VII of MATE Project 3 are presented. Two engine tests are conducted. The endurance engine test is conducted for 1000 C cycles. The performance engine test is conducted on a variable cycle core engine. Posttest evaluation and analyses of the blades and shrouds included visual, dimensional, and destructive evaluations.

Zelahy, J. W.↗

Marquardt's Mach 4.5 Supercharged Ejector Ramjet (SERJ) High-Performance Aircraft Engine Project: Unfulfilled Aspirations Ca.1970

The Supercharged Ejector Ramjet (SERJ) engine developments of the 1960s, as pursued by The Marquardt Corporation and its associated industry team members, are described. In just three years, engineering work on this combined-cycle powerplant type evolved, from its initial NASA-sponsored reusable space transportation system study status, into a U.S. Air Force/Navy-supported exploratory development program as a candidate 4.5 high-performance military aircraft engine. Bridging a productive transition from the spaceflight to the aviation arena, this case history supports the expectation that fully-integrated airbreathing/rocket propulsion systems hold high promise toward meeting the demanding propulsion requirements of tomorrow's aircraft-like Spaceliner class transportation systems. Lessons to be learned from this "SERJ Story" are offered for consideration by today's advanced space transportation and combined-cycle propulsion researchers and forward-planning communities.

Escher, William J. D.↗

Modeling Turboshaft Engines for the Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology Project

Turboshaft engine performance and weight models were developed to support conceptual propulsion and vehicle mission design and performance under the Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) Project. These models were developed using open data sources, assuming current and advanced technology levels, and range from 650 to 7,500 shaft output horsepower (485 to 5,600 kW). Documenting the methodology, assumptions, and resulting performance realizes important benefits NASA and the aviation community. NASA concept vehicle efforts using these propulsion models can be more readily shared among the government, industry and university community as common baselines to support current and future work. Assessing the benefits of advanced technologies and new configurations can be facilitated using these models, which helps guide technology investment. As the various modeling conceptual vehicle and mission analysis environments advanced, these models can be used directly for broader systems analysis studies, including optimization within the propulsion model itself. To perform this effort, the turboshaft engine is briefly discussed, highlighting the specific components and their expected performance characteristics over the power range and technology levels considered. Engine configurations will also be discussed as they will vary based on power output and assumed technology level. Engine performance, such as airflow, power output and weight will be reported, noting trends that are important for system studies. The effect of advanced propulsion technologies on RVLT concept vehicles are also reported. Finally, potential future propulsion modeling work will be proposed.

Snyder, Christopher A.↗