nFP7 Project "Efficient Systems and Propulsion for Small Aircraft – ESPOSA"

The aim of the research project ESPOSA is to develop and prove various innovative technologies for a small turboprop engine. The Institute of Energy Systems is involved in the following work packages:

WP2.1 "Optimal small compressor"

A sub-task of this work package is to optimize the natural frequency spectrum of a compressor blade. A theoretical tool will be developed to perform static and modal analyses and optimization of a generic blade profile. The finite element analysis is used to predict static stresses and natural frequencies of a blade. The parameterization of the blade geometry is done by an in-house profile generator code. A sequential quadratic technique is applied for the optimization. Sensitivity analysis is performed using the finite-difference method.

WP2.5 "Advanced dynamic modeling of high speed turbo machinery"

Design of an advanced turboprop engine requires, along with stress analysis, a special attention on rotor dynamics in order to avoid excessive vibrations and dynamic loads in the operating speed range. Rotordynamic assessment must be performed for all engine components and a whole GTE rotor system. The rotor system of the turboprop engine consists of a free power turbine, gas generator with a compressor and a turbine, and a gear box. A finite element method is used to perform static, modal, Campbell, harmonic and transient analyses. A sub-task is dedicated to modeling of transient events (sudden unbalance, non-synchronous excitation). The beam-based FEM models are used as a standard approach to predict the behavior of the rotor system. The 3D FEM models are applied for verification purposes.

Contact person: Alexander Pugachev

Project-Website: www.esposa-project.eu