Bearings for High-Speed Cruise Missile Engine

ABSTRACT: The overall objective and scope of this proposed effort includes determining bearing requirements for a high performance 1000 lbf thrust class gas turbine engine; a review of materials suitable for extreme environment bearings; preliminary trade studies to assess thrust bearing design; preliminary design of a conventional and novel journal bearing and simple test to compare performance of both designs. The scope includes assessing and ensuring the suitability/scalability of the bearing technology for super or sub sonic engines for cruise missile or long range strike engines. Under Phase I MiTi will, with its engine subcontractor establish high temperature bearing requirements for a candidate advanced 1000 lbf thrust class cruise missile engine including items such as engine speed, non-operating and operating vibration environment, loads, pressure, temperature and space envelope as well as secondary airflow. In assessing axial bearing requirements, the limitations of and/or engine modifications needed to make the technology suitable for use in engines will be identified. MiTi will identify candidate high temperature bearing alloys needed to permit operation at higher temperatures and will identify possible alternative approaches to meeting the requirements. A material will be selected and recommended for Phase II. Using the properties of the recommended high temperature material, MiTi will prepare potential radial and axial bearing designs. For the radial bearing MiTi will prepare two designs and provide a ranking of each approach identifying pros and cons. Similarly for the established axial bearing designs, concepts will be ranked according to performance, reliability, cost and weight. Preliminary testing will be included. BENEFIT: This effort will directly support the US Air Force initiative for propulsion systems and components to enhance advanced gas turbine engine performance normalized to cost specifically directed at advanced cruise missile engines. Research performed during this SBIR will result in new design capabilities and methodologies for wide ranging applications such as Integrated Power Units (IPU), gas turbine engines for use in UAVs, missiles, drones and both General and Regional Aviation aircraft. Key markets for the foreseeable future that will be served by foil bearings will include energy and environmental areas, including turbine powered generators as well as waste heat recovery systems and compressors for transportation and delivery of natural or/or hydrogen gas. This technology will also support MiTi"s current oil-free compressors, blowers for wastewater treatment and high speed drive motors.