Project Case Studies

Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology

Contract awarded as a Phase II SBIR Program
Sponsor: Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Program 
NASA Glenn

Goal:
Develop an endwall flow control system for stator blade rows to increase stator operability and stall margin for the NASA UEET program compressor geometry.

Approach:
Techsburg's flow control technology is a simple and efficient way of simultaneously producing suction and a high momentum jet for flow control. Low momentum fluid in the boundary layer is removed with suction. The fluid is then re-energized by the high pressure supply air, and injected into the flow as a high momentum jet flowing tangent to the endwall. In this way, the boundary layer along the wall is provided with the energy necessary to remain attached in an adverse pressure gradient. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) will be used to simulate and evaluate the effectiveness of the flow control design. Designed flow control blades were manufactured and delivered for use in a demonstration rig.

Subcontractors / Partners:
Rolls-Royce Corporation, Indianapolis, IN

Military & Commercial Applications:
The development of a flow control solution using ejector pump technology for the NASA UEET program can be translated and used to improve the operability of similar gas turbine engines, while simultaneously reducing the lengh and overall weight of the engine.