Lightweight and Compact Transient Electric Power Response Enhancement Concept

Airborne electric power needs are becoming substantial, versus airframe propulsion power. Also, these electric power needs are applied in very short timescales that are not compatible with conventional gas turbine engine response capabilities. For these cases, the engine output and electric power quality are both degraded. A compact and lightweight means of improving the engine response to these transients is needed. Altex has identified a compact and lightweight engine modification that can address engine transient loads that are applied in less than 0.1 seconds. The approach is general and can apply to both military and civilian gas turbine engines. Preliminary analysis shows that the concept has potential. Under the proposed effort, the concept will be incorporated into a time dependent engine model, to assess performance of the concept under Navy specified load transients. In addition, brief tests of a key concept component will be carried out to support feasibility. Lastly, the performance and cost benefits of the concept will be quantified, and the advantages of the concept over alternatives will be determined.