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Allenstein_MastersThesis_OSU.pdf (3.43 MB)

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An Investigation in Gold-Plating Scaled Turbofan Engine Simulators through Means of Aerodynamic and Load Cell Thrust Measurements with Comparisons to Full-Scale Engine Results

Allenstein, Jacob T.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1386061117

Abstract Details

2013, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Aero/Astro Engineering.
Model testing offers investigators a useful tool that can provide good insight into the aerodynamics behind full-scale engines and test facilities. Understanding the aerodynamics of a full-scale engine can help investigators update old test facilities and help design new facilities and engines. Gold-plating an engine is a process that the industry uses to compare the performance of an engine from the same family or class of engines in various facilities. The gold-plated engine can be used to determine a correlation factor of a testing facility or to determine the similarities in performance between a new or old engine to the gold-plated engine. The use of a correlation or correction factor can be used to correct a deviation in a measurement made in a test facility to bring the engine’s performance back to readings performed in a “free-air” environment. Model testing consists of the use of a simulator or scaled version of an engine that generates performance close to full-scale operation conditions. The simulator used in this study was constructed to not have any moving parts but rather be driven by a high pressure air system, providing a safe alternative to testing the full-scale engine. The objective of the study was to understand how to perform the gold-plate process to an engine simulator through the means of the aerodynamic and load cell thrust readings. The study examined the thrust that can be calculated from the exhaust mass flow of the engine simulator, or aerodynamic thrust, and compared the results to the load cell thrust from the load cell. This investigation will provide the framework to build and expand the knowledge of how an engine simulator works and how it can be used to understand the aerodynamics of an engine. The analysis was conducted at The Ohio State University’s Aeronautical and Astronautical Research Laboratories’ JETS facility. Two simulators went through the gold-plating process: the GE HF-120 and the GE90-B4 turbofan simulators. Each simulator used a high pressure, ejector driven system which does not require any moving parts. Both simulators were set up in a free-air environment and were tested at a variety of different pressures. The first simulator investigated was the GE HF-120 turbofan engine. The HF-120 used two types of inlet cowls: a flight cowl and a bellmouth testing cowl. The second simulator investigated was the GE90-B4 turbofan engine, which has two ejector stages: the fan and core. These tests have contributed to an improved understanding of the thrust measurements obtained from these engine simulators. These results will create the foundation of operating the simulator to verify data produced in a model scale test of a full-scale facility. The setup provided a reliable test environment for the engine simulator as seen through multiple, repeatable test runs. This knowledge and these techniques could help predict full-scale test results with use of scaled engine simulators with a higher degree of accuracy, providing investigations an inexpensive and safe environment for determining the full-scale facility’s performance.
Richard Freuler (Advisor)
Clifford Whitfield (Committee Member)
111 p.
Aerospace Engineering
model testing; engine simulator; aerodynamics; simulator thrust; gold-plating

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Allenstein, J. T. (2013). An Investigation in Gold-Plating Scaled Turbofan Engine Simulators through Means of Aerodynamic and Load Cell Thrust Measurements with Comparisons to Full-Scale Engine Results [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1386061117

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Allenstein, Jacob. An Investigation in Gold-Plating Scaled Turbofan Engine Simulators through Means of Aerodynamic and Load Cell Thrust Measurements with Comparisons to Full-Scale Engine Results . 2013. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1386061117.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Allenstein, Jacob. "An Investigation in Gold-Plating Scaled Turbofan Engine Simulators through Means of Aerodynamic and Load Cell Thrust Measurements with Comparisons to Full-Scale Engine Results ." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1386061117

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1386061117
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© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12