A Practical Introduction to Preliminary Design of Air Breathing Engines

Synopsis:

The objective of the course is to present an overview of the preliminary design of air breathing engine systems that is determined primarily by the aircraft mission, which defines the engine cycle – and different types of cycle are investigated. Preliminary design activities are defined and discussed in the context of the overall engine development process and placed in perspective. Some basic knowledge of aerodynamics and thermodynamics is assumed, so the mathematical material that appears in many good textbooks is minimized and the question “What do you actually do as an engine designer?” is addressed. The practical means and processes by which thermodynamic concepts are turned into hardware are covered and some design techniques are demonstrated. Finally, the fact that an air breathing engine is much more than the flowpath component is discussed and the future of engine design methods is raised. Class participation is encouraged throughout. 

Key Topics:

  • An overview of the preliminary design of aeropropulsion systems
  • Preliminary engine design in perspective; engine, aircraft, mission
  • How thermodynamic concepts are turned into hardware
  • Components and systems: aerodynamics, thermodynamics, materials, performance
  • Introduction to some practical design techniques
  • Where do we go from here?
  • Click below for full outline

Who Should Attend:

The course will benefit engineers both young and old who need a basic understanding of gas turbine engine systems and components and the associated design process. The course is designed for engineers with some familiarity of basic aerodynamics, gas dynamics, and thermodynamics. Some knowledge of engine cycles is also useful.

Course Information:

Type of Course: Instructor-Led Short Course
Course Level: Intermediate
Course Length: 2 days
AIAA CEU's available: Yes


Outline

A Practical Introduction to Preliminary Design of Air Breathing Engines

Course Outline:


I. The Engine Design Process (1)
a. Introduction
b. Design: from Concept to Manufacture

II. The Engine Design Process (2)
a. Propulsion Systems & Components

III. Engine Cycles & Configurations
a. The Simple Turbojet & Performance Criteria
b. More Complex Engine Configurations

IV. Fans & Compressors
a. Performance Requirements
b. The Compression Process
c. Design Approach

V. Turbines
a. Performance Requirements
b. The Expansion Process

VI. Combustors & Augmenters
a. Performance Requirements
b. Combustion Fundamentals
c. Main Combustor Design Consideration
d. Augmenter Design Considerations
e. Ramjets and Scramjets

VII. Exhaust Systems
a. Requirements & Performance Criteria
b. Subsonic & Multi-mission Nozzles
c. Noise Considerations

VIII. Inlets & Nacelles
a. Installation & Performance
b. Subsonic & Multi-mission Inlets
c. Performance Criteria

IX. Secondary Systems
a. Aerodynamic, Fluid, Mechanical

X. The Future of Design Methods
a. Levels of Modeling
b. The role of Thermal Management
c. Towards a “Numerical Test Cell”

Materials


Instructors

Dr. Ian Halliwell has 36 years international experience in engine design, development & research. He has taught the practical aspects of aerospace propulsion from an industrial base for over 25 years. He is currently Senior Research Scientist at Avetec, a non-profit aerospace research organization in Springfield, Ohio, where he specializes in the design of complete propulsion systems, in turning advanced concepts into hardware and in the development of new simulation & modeling methods. He is an active member of the AIAA Propulsion and Energy Group, an AIAA Associate Fellow and currently chairs the Gas Turbine Engines Technical Committee.

Steve Beckel has a MS degree in Mechanical Engineering and over 28 years experience in the design, development and test of turbine, ramjet and scramjet propulsion systems. He has taught undergraduate engineering courses in fluid dynamics, combustion and energy systems as well as propulsion short courses for NASA, the Von Karman Institute and AIAA . He is currently the director for Advanced Propulsion at Alliant Techsystems (ATK) Missile Products Group. Mr. Beckel is an AIAA Associate Fellow and an active member of the High Speed Airbreathing Propulsion Technical Committee.

 

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