Aerodesign and Testing of an Aero-Mechanically Highly Loaded LP Turbine

Abstract

Future turbo systems for aircraft engines need very compact geometry, low weight and high efficiency components. The geared turbofan enables the engine designer to decouple the speed of the fan and the LP turbine to combine a low speed fan with a high speed LP turbine. The low pressure turbine is a key component for this concept. The technological challenge is very much driven by the very high low-spool speed. Resulting from also high inlet temperatures the LP turbine needs cooling of the first stage. A new MTU LPT concept for such a high speed turbine has been developed and tested in a turbine rig. The concept consists of a 2 stage turbine for extremely high speed and high stage pressure ratio (ER 2.3). This leads to extra high mechanical loading and an exotic combination of high Mach Numbers (transonic) and very low Reynolds Numbers. In this paper some design features are described. Some elements of the airfoil design were also tested in additional cascade tests. The 2 stage turbine was tested at the Altitude Test Facility of the ILA, Stuttgart. The test setup is described including details of the instrumentation. Test data shows a good turbine performance. Measurements are also compared to 3D CFD, which is used to analyse local effects.