NZCAA BGT Flashcards
Describe how gas undergoes changes in pressure, volume and temperature in accordance
with Boyle’s and Charles’ Laws.
Boyles law: At constant temp, pressure increases as volume decreases (inversely proportional). T=VP
Charle’s law: At constant pressure, as temp increases volume increases (directly proportional). P=V/T
Describe the Pressure-Temperature cylce
Pressure and temperature increase through the compressor, temperature increases at the start of combustion but slowly decreases, and pressure decreases as well. In the turbine stage, pressure drops and temperature drops.
Describe the changes to pressure, temperature and velocity of the gas flow as it passes
through each section of a turbine engine
Pressure: Increases through compression. Max pressure at end of compressor/diffuser. Pressure drops slightly through combustion. Drops significantly further during turbine stage.
Temperature: Increases through the compressor. Spikes during ignition. Decreases from there. Max temp is inside combustion chamber. Maximum skin temp is at NGV.
Velocity: Reduces during compression and most of combustion. During final stages of combustion increases. Increases through rotor blades, decreases through stats. Final increase at propelling nozzle.
Describe the comparative advantages of turbine engines versus piston engines for aircraft
propulsion
A turbine engine is much more efficient for the same weight, and have a better power to weight ratio
Describe how a turbo-prop works
The two designs, free-power and direct drive, use turbines in the exhaust to drive a reduction gearbox which then powers a propeller.
Describe the purpose, design and principles of operation of the engine inlet duct.
The inlet duct needs to provide air to the compressor and straighten the airflow to prevent compressor stall/surge.
Inlet ducts are either ‘pitot intakes’ (normal round) which are suitable for commercial operations, or ‘divided intakes’ which is typical of millitary aircraft.
Why are inlets generally shaped with divergent ducts?
To impart a pressure rise of the air as it is delivered to the compressor (Ram rise).
Describe the purpose of a compressor in a turbine engine
A compressor is designed to impart a pressure rise on the airflow and reduce velocity (at the diffuser)
Describe the basic principles of operation of centrifugal and axial flow compressors
Centrifugal compressors make use of an impeller which accelerates and compressors air (velocity and pressure increase), before entering a diffuser which converts the kinetic energy into pressure energy (velocity reduces pressure rises. The centrifugal compressor is simpler and easier to maintain but is not as efficient for the same frontal area.
Axial flow compressors make use of rotors which accelerate air onto a stator which converts this velocity to pressure. They are more expensive but can achieve the power and efficiency required.
Describe the compressor arrangements found on the various types of turbine engine.
Compressors are arranged in spools, typically either 2 or 3. The low pressure compressor (the front) is driven by the low pressure turbine (the last turbine), and has the slowest RPM. The intermediate and high pressure compressors are connected to the intermediate and high pressure turbines, and rotate at faster RPM (with the high pressure being the fastest).
Describe typical compressor pressure ratios for the various types and configuration of
turbine engine
Axial flow compressors can achieve a compressor ratio of 25:1, but each stage usually only achieves 1.2:1
Centrifugal compressors can achieve approximately 5:1 to 7:1
What are the two main variables that affect the AoA of the compressor blades?
Engine RPM and TAS.
Describe the factors that affect compression ratio
Air density, system leakage, number of spools, engine RPM
Describe the purpose of the impeller
Divergent passages that increase pressure AND velocity
Describe the purpose of inlet guide vanes (variable and fixed)
These are designed to present the air to the first stage rotors at the optimum angle of attack. VIGV can change depending on conditions.
Describe the purpose of the rotor blades
Rotor blades can either be impulse type or reaction type blades. They are designed to impart acceleration. Impulse blades will be located toward the front of the stream where the airflow has the most energy, and reaction type is required at the rear where they will be more efficient at extracting energy.
Describe the purpose of the stator blades
Stator blades increase pressure through the conversion of kinetic energy
Describe the purpose of the variable stator blades
Compared to fixed stator blades, maintain efficiency at different RPM.
Describe the purpose of diffusers
converty kinetic energy into pressure energy
Describe the purpose of bleed valves
Supply pnuematic systems and also encourage axial flow to prevent surge/stall.
State the reasons why axial flow compressors have a higher number of stages than
centrifugal compressors
While axial flow compressors can achieve a greater pressure rise overall, the pressure rise over each pair of stators and rotors is small.
State the reason for the decrease in size and increase in the number of compressor blades
towards the rear of an axial flow compressor
Each stage of stators and rotors must deal with different conditions, and there will be a specific blade angle that achieves the optimum reaction force.
State the reasons for and advantages of multiple spool compressors
This allows the seperate spools to operate at their design RPM for the conditions experienced at their stage.
Describe the common source of bleed air
Bleed air is typically ducted from the compressor outlet
Explain what is meant by compressor stall/compressor surge
Compressor stall occurs when the AoA is exceeded and airflow becomes disturbed. A surge is a flow reversal within the engine (likely the result of a stall)
Describe the symptoms of a stall/surge
Increasing fuel flow, fluctuating RPM, increasing turbine temperature, and a banging noise
Descrie a multi-can combustion system?
also known as multi-chamber, lots of little chambers which are independent. Good for maintenance because LAMEs can remove independent pieces.
Describe can-annular combustion
Lots of individual chambers that are interconnected to equalis pressure. Combines best features of annular and multi-can device.
Describe the annular combustion design
Ring of fire. Most efficient of all the combustion chambers. Bad for maintenance though.
Describe the reverse flow combustion chamber
Ideal for compact designs, most common on turbuprops and helicopters.
Describe the uses of primary, secondary and tertiary air flow through and/or around a
combustion chamber
20% of the airflow is delivered to the primary zone (via swirl vane and atomising nozzle), 10% through secondary zone to mix, an the 70% dilution/cooling air (tertiary air)
How do supersonic air intake ducts decelerate the airflow to a subsonic condition prior to compressor entry?
By employing devices which cause shockwaves