Oil-Free Thrust Bearings for Army Turboshaft Engines

The Army's need to identify suitable high performance gas turbine engine oil-free thrust bearings is to be met in this program through a thorough evaluation of at least five different classes for oil-free thrust bearing concepts. Detailed parametricevaluations of each component design will be completed and used in assessing critical technical barriers. This data will then be used to assess the benefits to the identified classes of gas turbine engines. Preliminary thrust bearing testing of at leastone concept will be completed using one of MiTi's several oil-free thrust bearing development rigs. The optional tasks will include test rig modifications needed for Phase II and will establish preliminary bearing designs for Phase II. Oil free gasturbine engines using the developed bearings will be suitable for both military and commercial applications. Military applications include both air and ground manned and unmanned vehicles. Commercial applications include general aviation bizjets,microturbine generators, gas pipeline compressors, motor driven compressors, cryogenic turboexpanders and the like.