ATOS - Advanced transmission and oil system concepts
Overview
Background & policy context:
The ATOS project addressed innovative transmission and oil system concepts in commercial aero-engines. It seeked to develop profitable and sustainable business in the EU through innovative concepts and technologies in response to Key Action 4 'New Perspectives in Aeronautics' within the 'GROWTH' programme.
Objectives:
The technical objectives were to develop innovative products such as hybrid (ceramic) bearings, electrically driven oil pumps and innovative dual-alloy shaft technology, as well as optimised design methods for aero-engine bearing chamber design, two-phase flow separation, and oil fire prevention.
Methodology:
The work comprised the detailed definition of experimental set-ups, system configurations and test schedules for all work packages. Rig experiments were conducted to define most promising bearing materials. Full size hybrid bearings have been manufactured and successfully tested under aero-engine representative operating conditions. Feasibility of an electrostatic sensor has been investigated to detect onset of wear.
Two-phase flow in a typical bearing chamber has been experimentally and numerically studied. Focus was on droplet generation by bearings and modelling of wall film flow. Rig experiments on bearing chamber sealing have been conducted to characterise flow conditions during leakage. Auto-ignition temperatures of oils and ignition delays have been measured under elevated pressures and varied boundary conditions.
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