New Design of the Reversible Jet Fan

This paper presents two designs of the axial reversible jet fan, with the special focus on the impeller. The intention was to develop a reversible axial jet fan which operates in the same way in both rotating directions while generating thrust as high as possible. The jet fan model with the outer diameter 499.2 ± 0.1 mm and ten adjustable blades is the same, while it is in-built in two different casings. The first construction is a cylindrical casing, while the second one is profiled as a nozzle. Thrust, volume flow rate, consumed power and ambient conditions were measured after the international standard ISO 13350. Results for both constructions are presented for three impeller blade angles: 28°, 31° and 35°, and rotation speed in the interval n = 400 to 2600 rpm. The smallest differences in thrust, depending on the fan rotation direction, as well as the highest thrust are achieved for the first design with the cylindrical casing and blade angle at the outer diameter of 35°. Therefore, it was shown that fan casing significantly influences jet fan characteristics. In addition, the maximum thrust value and its independence of the flow direction is experimentally obtained for the angle of 39° in the cylindrical casing.

In-flight thrust monitoring: an acoustics-based approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an acoustics-based method for measuring turbofan nozzle exhaust thrust, while assessing the potential of scaling the methods for in-flight measurements. Design/methodology/approach Although many methods proposed for achieving in-flight thrust measurements involve complicated, sensitive and expense instruments, an acoustics-based approach is discussed that greatly simplifies the technology development pathway to in-flight applications. Findings Results are provided for a minimum set of sensors applied in the exhaust of a research turbofan engine at Virginia Tech, showing the difference in acoustics-measured thrust and nozzle thrust found by integrating thermocouple and Kiel probe measurements to be less than 6 per cent at the maximum fan speed examined. Practical implications Measuring accurate thrust values in flight will prove immediately valuable for installed thrust validation and engine health monitoring. Acoustics-based methodologies are attractive because of the robustness and low cost of sensors and sources. The value of in-flight thrust measurements, along with the benefits of acoustic approaches, makes the current topic of great interest for further development. Originality/value This paper presents unique applications of a time-of-flight acoustic thrust sensor, while providing an original assessment of technological challenges involved with the progression of the technique for in-flight measurements.

The thrust measurement system research for combined nozzle in small space

For measuring the thrust of combined nozzles in satellite thruster with a small space, the test method that the nozzle directly sprays on the load baffle is employed in this paper. The key problem is how to design the positions of 10 load baffles and how to construct the measurement system. A set of complete and automatic nozzle thrust measurement system is designed and built, and the influence of the load baffle applied on the flow field of nozzles is analyzed using the software FLUENT. Furthermore, the load surface locations of the sensors for the different types of nozzles are analyzed. We draw the conclusion that the load baffle position should range from 4–8 mm for the I-type nozzle and range in 6–12 mm for II-type and III-type nozzle. The correction coefficients of the thrust forces for all channels of the measurement system are determined in the calibration experiment. The uncertainty of measurement system is estimated and the error source of the measurement system is traced. We found that the systematic uncertainty is mainly contributed by the A-type uncertainty which is related with the nozzle dimension and its inner structure. The B-type uncertainty of system is contributed by the force sensor.