Abstract: A test facility includes a heat source to thermally load a test object being mechanically loaded by rotation imposed by a spin test rig. The heat source can be a quartz lamp controlled to provide a thermal load with a differing phase than the mechanical load. Testing cycles can be run for the test object, with impingement cooling permitting the removal of the thermal load between cycles. The test facility emulates operating conditions in a gas turbine engine to impose realistic thermal and mechanical fatigue stress on the test component.

Abstract: A test facility provides high temperature, high pressure and high mass flow fluid to a test object to form a relatively large thermal gradient on the object. Energy in the fluid is recuperated to drive system components, such as a heat exchanger and a turbocharger compressor. A test chamber housing the test object can be arranged to conform to a contour of the test object. A control system permits independent variation of pressure, temperature, cooling fluid and fluid velocity, as well as mechanical loading on the test object. Noncontact, optical inspection measurement techniques can be employed to measure test chamber and/or test object parameters. The test object can be configured to direct cooling airflow to permit various temperature or pressure gradients to be implemented. The test facility is relatively inexpensive to operate and provides a significant cost advantage over testing conducted in a full gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A test facility includes a heat source to thermally load a test object being mechanically loaded by rotation imposed by a spin test rig. The heat source can be a quartz lamp controlled to provide a thermal load with a differing phase than the mechanical load. Testing cycles can be run for the test object, with impingement cooling permitting the removal of the thermal load between cycles. The test facility emulates operating conditions in a gas turbine engine to impose realistic thermal and mechanical fatigue stress on the test component.

Abstract: A method and related system for measuring rotor unbalance comprises rotating a rotor about an axis at a range of rotating speeds; generating a reference signal indicative of the instantaneous rotational frequency of the rotor; detecting the vibration of the rotor while the rotator is rotating, and generating a vibration signal; filtering the vibration signal, using the reference signal, to provide a synchronous vibration signal having a frequency equal to the instantaneous rotational frequency of the rotor; recording a vibration vector, the vibration vector comprising amplitude and phase values for the synchronous vibration signal; and measuring rotor unbalance based upon the vibration vector. Measurement accuracy can be improved by recording vibration vectors for a plurality of rotations of the rotor, and determining an average vibration vector. Methods and systems for detecting a rotor anomaly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting an anomaly in a rotor, such as a crack or other phenomenon which alters the rotor balance, includes measuring the rotational speed and vibration of the rotor. A vibration signal synchronous with the frequency of rotation is filtered from the vibration measurement. A background vibration vector is then subtracted from the synchronous vibration signal to produce a vibration difference signal. The phase and amplitude of the vibration difference signal are measured and evaluated to determine whether an anomaly has developed. An apparatus for performing this method includes vibration and speed sensors coupled to a filter for extracting a signal from the vibration measurement having a frequency synchronous with the rotation of the rotor. A processor is coupled to the filter and the speed sensor and is programmed to perform the processing steps, described above.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing vibration in a bladed disk includes a motor-driven rotor upon which the bladed disk can be attached. At least one nozzle coupled with a liquid source is positioned to direct liquid from the liquid source to a position where it would impact at least one blade of the rotating bladed disk. The stress state and/or position of a rotating blade, so impacted, can be monitored to test its vibration characteristics.

Abstract: A method for detecting an anomaly, such as a crack, in a rotor includes measuring the rotational speed and vibration of the rotor. A vibration signal synchronous with the frequency of rotation is filtered from the vibration measurement. A background vibration vector is then subtracted from the synchronous vibration signal to produce a vibration difference signal. The phase and amplitude of the vibration difference signal are measured and evaluated to determine whether an anomaly has developed. An apparatus for performing this method includes vibration and speed sensors coupled to a filter for extracting a signal from the vibration measurement having a frequency synchronous with the rotation of the rotor. A processor is coupled to the filter and the speed sensor and is programmed to perform the processing steps, described above.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing vibration in a bladed disk includes a motor-driven rotor upon which the bladed disk can be attached. At least one nozzle coupled with a liquid source is positioned to direct liquid from the liquid source to a position where it would impact at least one blade of the rotating bladed disk. The stress state and/or position of a rotating blade, so impacted, can be monitored to test its vibration characteristics.

Abstract: A method for detecting an anomaly, such as a crack, in a rotor includes measuring the rotational speed and vibration of the rotor. A vibration signal synchronous with the frequency of rotation is filtered from the vibration measurement. A background vibration vector is then subtracted from the synchronous vibration signal to produce a vibration difference signal. The phase and amplitude of the vibration difference signal are measured and evaluated to determine whether an anomaly has developed. An apparatus for performing this method includes vibration and speed sensors coupled to a filter for extracting a signal from the vibration measurement having a frequency synchronous with the rotation of the rotor. A processor is coupled to the filter and the speed sensor and is programmed to perform the processing steps, described above.