Prospects of application of additive technologies to develop parts and components of gas turbine engines and ramjets

Abstract

The possibility of reducing the weight, simplifying the design, reducing the time and cost of development, production and operation are important advantages in the implementation of additive technologies (AT). The use of AT can significantly improve fuel efficiency, environmental and other characteristics of aircraft engines. The possibility of using AT in the production of various parts and components of engines is being currently investigated at CIAM. Examples of these developments, advantages of the use of AT and problems arising in the implementation of these technologies are presented in this article. Models of turbine blades with a highly efficient cooling system, in particular, with penetration cooling were designed and manufactured using optimization methods and taking into account the capabilities of AT. The possibilities of using AT for the manufacture of elements of molds for precision casting of gas turbine engine (GTE) blades of heat-resistant alloys and ceramic rods are shown. Elements of a two-zone front module of the low-emission combustion chamber of an advanced GTE are designed and manufactured using the AT method. Research of prospective branched tree channels of heat exchangers with mutually porous bodies that can be made only by AT methods and the use of which will make it possible to increase the efficiency of heat exchange in the case of lower weight, than that of the structures made by traditional technologies, is being carried out. The AT was used to manufacture complex elements of a ramjet engine. Fire tests of printed sections of the combustion chamber were carried out successfully. Cellular structures to be used in gas turbine engine parts with the aim of reducing their weight were developed. A hollow blade model with cellular-type core was made using AT. Tests of the designed cellular prototypes were carried out. The possibilities of reducing the mass of structural elements using cellular structures obtained by AT methods are shown. Research of hollow disks of turbines and other engine components produced with the aid of AT are carried out. Despite the fact that experimental studies of structural elements obtained by additive technologies have not been completed yet, these works show the prospects for the use of AT in the development of a wide range of engine parts and components.