scholarly journals A Coupled 1D Film Hydrodynamics and Core Gas Flow Model for Air-Oil Flows in Aero-Engine Bearing Chambers

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Kakimpa ◽  
H. P. Morvan ◽  
S. Hibberd
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Engine Oil ◽  
Interface Shear ◽  
Interface Shear Stress ◽  
Oil Film ◽  
Film Model ◽  
Aero Engine ◽  
Film Interface ◽  
Engine Bearing

A robust 1D film hydrodynamic model has been sequentially coupled with a 1D core gas model and used to predict the instantaneous mean core gas speed, film interface shear stress and liquid film distribution within an idealised bearing chamber. This novel approach to aero-engine bearing chamber simulation provides a predictive tool that can be used for the fast and reliable exploration of a set of bearing chamber design and operating conditions characterised by the: chamber dimensions, air/oil fluid properties, shaft speed, sealing air flows, oil feed rates and sump scavenge ratios. A preliminary validation of the model against available bearing chamber flow measurements from literature shows good agreement. The model represents a significant step change in predictive capabilities for aero-engine oil system flows compared to previous semi-empirical models. The bearing chamber is idealised as a one-dimensional (2D) domain with a predominantly azimuthal flow in both the rotational oil film and core gas such that axial components may be ignored. A 1D system of depth-averaged film hydrodynamics equations is used to predict oil film thickness and mean speed distributions in the azimuthal direction under the influence of interface shear, gravity, pressure gradient and surface tension forces. The driving shear stress in the film model is obtained from the 1D core-gas model based on an azimuthal gas momentum conservation equation which is coupled to the film model through the interface shear stress and film interface velocity.

Two-Phase Flow Pressure Drop in Corrugated Tubes Used in an Aero-engine Oil System

2015 ◽  
Vol 138 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Flouros ◽  
Andreas Kanarachos ◽  
Kyros Yakinthos ◽  
Christina Salpingidou ◽  
Francois Cottier
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Engine Oil ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Aero Engine ◽  
Flow Pressure ◽  
Engine Bearing

In modern aero-engines, the lubrication system holds a key role due to the demand for high reliability standards. An aero-engine bearing chamber contains components like bearings and gears. Oil is used for lubrication and for heat removal. In order to retain the oil in a bearing chamber, pressurized seals are used. These are pressurized using air from the compressor. In order to avoid overpressurization of the bearing chamber, air/oil passages are provided in the bearing chamber. At the top, a vent pipe discharges most of the sealing air and at the bottom, a scavenge pipe is used for discharging the oil by means of a pump (scavenge pump). The scavenge pipe is setup in most cases by tubes of circular or noncircular cross sections. When the scavenge pipe has to be routed in a way that sharp bends or elbows are unavoidable, flexible (corrugated) pipes can be used. Because of the corrugation, considerable flow resistance with high-pressure drop can result. This may cause overpressurization of the bearing compartment with oil loss into the turbomachinery with possibility of ignition, coking (carbon formation), or contamination of the aircraft’s air conditioning system. It is therefore important for the designer to be capable to predict the system’s pressure balance behavior. A real engine bearing chamber sealed by brush seals was used for generating different air/oil mixtures thus corresponding to different engine operating conditions. The mixtures were discharged through a scavenge pipe which was partly setup by corrugated tubes. Instead of a mechanical pump, an ejector was used for evacuating the bearing chamber. An extensive survey covering the existing technical literature on corrugated tube pressure drop was performed and is presented in this paper. The survey has covered both single-phase and multiphase flows. Existing methods were checked against the test results. The method which was most accurately predicting lean air test results from the rig was benchmarked and was used as the basis for extending into a two-phase flow pressure drop correlation by applying two-phase flow multiplier techniques similar to Lockhart and Martinelli. Comparisons of the new two-phase flow pressure drop correlation with an existing correlation by Shannak are presented for mixtures like air/oil, air/water, air/diesel, and air/kerosene. Finally, numerical analysis results using ansys cfx version 15 are presented.

scholarly journals Prediction of Film Thickness of an Aero-Engine Bearing Chamber Using Coupled VOF and Thin Film Model

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuldeep Singh ◽  
Medhat Sharabi ◽  
Stephen Ambrose ◽  
Carol Eastwick ◽  
Richard Jefferson-Loveday
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Film Thickness ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Shaft Speed ◽  
Oil Film ◽  
Film Model ◽  
Thin Film Model ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Aero Engine ◽  
Engine Bearing

Abstract In the present work, a coupled volume-of-fluid (VOF) model with Eulerian thin-film model (ETFM) approach is used to predict the film thickness in an aero-engine bearing chamber. Numerical studies are conducted for a wide range of shaft speeds with lubricant and air flow rates of 100 1/hr and 10 g/s respectively, at a scavenge ratio of 4 on a simplified bearing chamber test rig. Air-flow analysis inside the bearing chamber is also assessed. Primary and secondary airflow predictions are found to be in good agreement with the experimental results. The coupled ETFM+VOF approach is found to be sensitive enough to capture the qualitative trend of oil film formation and distribution over the chamber wall. Oil collection near the sump at a low shaft speed and a rotating oil film at a higher shaft speed are well captured.

Interface Shear Stress of Concrete Beams Strengthened with FRP in Salt Water

2012 ◽  
Vol 446-449 ◽  
pp. 3499-3502
Author(s):  
Chen Zhao ◽  
Pei Yan Huang ◽  
Zhong Song Chen
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Concrete Beam ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
Interfacial Shear Stress ◽  
Interfacial Properties ◽  
Interfacial Shear ◽  
Interface Shear ◽  
Interface Shear Stress ◽  
Bond Slip ◽  
Relationship Model

Based on existing methods and results of other research, the bond-slip relationship model is given and the distrubition of shear stress of concrete beam strengthened by FRP in salt water is derived. Through a specific example to analyze the distribution of interfacial shear stress, and the different effects caused by different aggressive environment on the interfacial properties. The results show that: 1) Interfacial shear stress will sharply reduce with increasing distance from the end; 2) Different environments have different effects on the interface properties of FRP strengthened beams. Salt water erosion influnce the interfacial properties of FRP strengthened beams significantly.

Modelling of Partially Wetting Liquid Film Using an Enhanced Thin Film Model for Aero-Engine Bearing Chamber Applications

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Singh ◽  
M. Sharabi ◽  
R. Jefferson-Loveday ◽  
S. Ambrose ◽  
C. Eastwick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Contact Angle ◽  
Film Thickness ◽  
Liquid Film ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Film Model ◽  
Thin Film Model ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Aero Engine

Abstract In the case of aero-engine, thin lubricating film servers dual purpose of lubrication and cooling. Prediction of dry patches or lubricant starved region in bearing or bearing chambers are required for safe operation of these components. In the present work thin liquid film flow is numerically investigated using the framework of the Eulerian thin film model (ETFM) for conditions which exhibit partial wetting phenomenon. This model includes a parameter that requires adjustment to account for the dynamic contact angle. Two different experimental data sets have been used for comparisons against simulations, which cover a wide range of operating conditions including varying the flow rate, inclination angle, contact angle, and liquid-gas surface tension coefficient. A new expression for the model parameter has been proposed and calibrated based on the simulated cases. This is employed to predict film thickness on a bearing chamber which is subjected to a complex multiphase flow. From this study, it is observed that the proposed approach shows good quantitative comparisons of the film thickness of flow down an inclined plate and for the representative bearing chamber. A comparison of model predictions with and without wetting and drying capabilities is also presented on the bearing chamber for shaft speed in the range of 2,500 RPM to 10,000 RPM and flow rate in the range of 0.5 liter per minute (LPM) to 2.5 LPM.

Transient Temperature Measurements in the Contact Zone Between Brush Seals of Kevlar and Metallic Type for Bearing Chamber Sealing Using a Pyrometric Technique

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Flouros ◽  
Martin Stadlbauer ◽  
Francois Cottier ◽  
Stephan Proestler ◽  
Stefan Beichl
Keyword(s):  
Contact Zone ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Temperature Measurements ◽  
Transient Temperature ◽  
Labyrinth Seals ◽  
Brush Seal ◽  
Aero Engine ◽  
Rotating Surface ◽  
Brush Seals ◽  
Engine Bearing

For the past 25 years brush seal technologies have evolved into the aero engine designs and, more generally, into the gas turbine world, not only for sealing gas areas at different pressure levels but also for sealing gas/liquid environments. This is the case in an aero engine where the bearing chambers are sealed. Aero engine bearing chambers enclose oil lubricated components such bearings and gears. In order to avoid contamination of the turbo machinery through oil loss, air blown seals are used to retain the oil into the bearing chamber. Oil loss may cause coking or ignition with the probability of an uncontained destruction of rotating parts such as disks or blades. It may also cause contamination of the air conditioning system with oil fumes thus causing health problems to the passengers and crew from such exposure. The most widely known seals for bearing chamber sealing are the labyrinth seals, however, in recent years brush seals and carbon seals have also been used. The latter are contact seals; that is, they may be installed having zero clearance to the rotating part and lift during operation when their air side is pressurized. During this survey an actual aero engine bearing chamber was modified to run with brush seals in a simulating rig. Two types of brush seals were used: (a) with bristles made of Kevlar, and (b) bristles made of a metallic material. Both types were installed with an overlap to the rotor. The targets set were twofold: (a) to measure the transient temperatures in the rotor and particularly in the contact zone between the bristles and the rotor, and (b) to measure the air leakage through the seals at different operating conditions. In order to obtain the transient temperature measurements with high fidelity, a new pyrometric technique was developed and was applied for the first time in brush seals. This technique has enabled placement of the pyrometer into the bristle's pack of the seal adjacent to the rotating surface and it could record the frictional temperature evolution in the bristles/rotor contact zone during acceleration or deceleration of the rotor. Additionally, the air consumption of the seals was measured and was compared to the air consumption through the labyrinth seals. For the metallic brush seal, up to 80% of the required sealing air can be saved, which can result, in turn, into a reduction in fuel burned by up to 1%. Furthermore, a design simplification of the bearing chamber architecture can be achieved by taking into account the reduced air flow. Even though the rotor was accelerated to high speeds up to 19,500 rpm, the produced temperature overshoots in the seal/rotor contact zone have caused no deterioration in either the materials or the oil.

A Numerical Model for Oil Film Flow in an Aero-Engine Bearing Chamber and Comparison With Experimental Data

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Farrall ◽  
Kathy Simmons ◽  
Stephen Hibberd ◽  
Philippe Gorse
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Roller Bearing ◽  
Numerical Approach ◽  
Oil Droplets ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Oil Film ◽  
Aero Engine ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Engine Bearing

The work presented forms part of an on-going investigation, focusing on modelling the motion of a wall oil film present in a bearing chamber and comparison with existing experimental data. The film is generated through the impingement of oil droplets shed from a roller bearing. Momentum resulting from the impact of oil droplets, interfacial shear from the airflow, and gravity cause the film to migrate around the chamber. Oil and air exit the chamber at scavenge and vent ports. A previously reported numerical approach to the simulation of steady-state two-phase flow in a bearing chamber, that includes in-house sub-models for droplet-film interaction and oil film motion, has been extended. This paper includes the addition of boundary conditions for the vent and scavenge together with a comparison to experimental results obtained from ITS, University of Karlsruhe. The solution is found to be sensitive to the choice of boundary conditions applied to the vent and scavenge.

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