Turbine Engine Design
Overview
Turbine engines provide a tremendous amount of thrust for an aircraft. Takeoff requires the maximum thrust available to accelerate the aircraft from rest to takeoff speed before the end the runway. During cruise the engines must overcome drag throughout the flight. Engine designers must balance the thrust needs with fuel economy. Inefficient engines mean that more fuel must be carried and more fuel is used than needed. Both result in a cost increase for the airline operator or a military.
In this activity I use the NASA software simulator to design a turbine engine that will be the most fuel-efficient engine.
In this activity I use the NASA software simulator to design a turbine engine that will be the most fuel-efficient engine.
Equipment
- Engineering Notebook
- Pencil
- PC
- Internet access
Engine Information - Turbo Fan
Turbo Fans are just like regular turbine engines except the area near the fan is larger. This allows more cooler air around the engine, making it quieter than other jet engines. This is most practical for Airliners as the noise pollution will not bother passengers and populated residential communities.
Components
The Fan: The fan helps draw in air to the rest of the engine and is turned by an internal turbine.
The Compressor: The compressor squeezes the air into a much smaller space, causing it to move much faster through the engine.
The Combustion Chamber: Air and fuel are passed into the combustion chamber, which is designed to help ignite the fuel and push the exploding gasses out the back of the engine.
The Bypass: The bypass is where the cool air that doesn't go into the engine goes. It is used to cool down the engine so i doesn't overheat.
The Turbine: The turbine is turned by the leftover force of the exploding gases being pushed out of the combustion chamber and helps to also spin the fan at the front and the compressor.
The Exhaust: The exhaust is the exploding gases that are being pushed out of the engine. They are used to supply the thrust for the aircraft.
The Compressor: The compressor squeezes the air into a much smaller space, causing it to move much faster through the engine.
The Combustion Chamber: Air and fuel are passed into the combustion chamber, which is designed to help ignite the fuel and push the exploding gasses out the back of the engine.
The Bypass: The bypass is where the cool air that doesn't go into the engine goes. It is used to cool down the engine so i doesn't overheat.
The Turbine: The turbine is turned by the leftover force of the exploding gases being pushed out of the combustion chamber and helps to also spin the fan at the front and the compressor.
The Exhaust: The exhaust is the exploding gases that are being pushed out of the engine. They are used to supply the thrust for the aircraft.
Technical Documentation
Engine Simulator
Conclusion
What did you learn from this project?
I learned how to use a simulator to test certain variables. This project helped me gain an understanding of what real life engine designers have to go through.
What part of it was easiest and why?
The easiest part was choosing the materials to use for each part because it was clear that the lighter materials were better up until a certain point where the engine overheated.
What part was hardest and what did you do to overcome this difficulty?
The hardest part was thinking up combinations of materials to put into the simulator. To overcome this I just thought up unusual combinations of materials and hoped they would work well.
I learned how to use a simulator to test certain variables. This project helped me gain an understanding of what real life engine designers have to go through.
What part of it was easiest and why?
The easiest part was choosing the materials to use for each part because it was clear that the lighter materials were better up until a certain point where the engine overheated.
What part was hardest and what did you do to overcome this difficulty?
The hardest part was thinking up combinations of materials to put into the simulator. To overcome this I just thought up unusual combinations of materials and hoped they would work well.