Intelligent Virtual Rotor-Bearing System Design

Lateral analysis of multi-level or multi-spool turbofan and turbojet engines has been regularly performed for more than 30 years by commercial engine manufacturers. Similarly, engine bearing designers also possess the ability to perform detailed analysisof bearing for the purpose of calculating operating characteristics (e.g., component operating temperatures) and determine statistical distributions of bearing life. Although the calculations involving both the rotors and the bearings are mutuallydependent, these analyses are currently performed using independent software tools that require significant human interaction and experience to perform a complete design iteration.The basic goal of the proposed project is to incrementally improve existing software tools so that accurate system rotor dynamics analysis of aircraft gas turbine engines can be performed using integrated rolling element bearing and squeeze film damperanalysis tools. This goal fits in nicely with Concepts NREC emphasis on development of interfaces which allow designers control of turbomachinery designs, as opposed developing new solvers. Basic code improvement and validation, as well as developmentof a series of test cases for the design tool, will still be addressed in this project. The basic goal of the proposed project is to incrementally improve existing software tools so that accurate system rotor dynamics analysis of aircraft gas turbine engines can be performed using integrated rolling element bearing and squeeze film damperanalysis tools.