DURIP A 7000 LBF THRUST CLASS TURBOFAN ENGINE FOR PROPULSION RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This proposal requests funds for the facility and engine control systems that will support -commissioning of a national-class academic turbofan engine research and technology development -facility at the Advanced Propulsion and Power Laboratory (APPL) at Virginia Tech. This facility-comes at a critical time of convergence between a gap in the national research infrastructure for a -cost-effective, agile, and contemporary engine-based research capability, an unusual opportunity -presented by investments in a turbofan engine test cell and two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308A -turbofan engines at Virginia Tech. The proposed capability comprises a 7000 lbf thrust-class -turbofan engine with relevant features such as a modern digital control architecture (i.e., fullauthority digital engine control, or FADEC), a facility and engine control system, a test stand with -appropriate cell adaptive hardware, and extensive research-ready instrumentation that can support -a wide range of experiments. The current proposal is for the facility and engine control systems -and data systems needed to run the engine. This test stand is being developed with a focus on -sustainment-based research and intended for broad use by the community of researchers from the -Department of Defense (DOD), among the major propulsion original equipment manufacturers -(OEMs), by small businesses developing turbine engine technologies, and by academic researchers -at Virginia Tech and beyond.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jan 13, 2025
Source ID
N000142512093

Entities

People

  • Kevin Lowe

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy
  • Virginia Tech

Tags

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Research Science/Academic Research