Research topics in oil lubrication for aircraft gas turbine engines

All mechanical systems with moving parts face a serious challenge due to the friction phenomena that occurs at the interface of the two relative moving surfaces. The effect of friction which is the slow degradation of the surfaces in contact could be significantly reduced through lubrication. Although a significant number of investigations have been carried out on friction phenomena, there is a limited academic interest into the implementation of the findings to real word. The present set of stages is all directed towards the implementation of such findings. The stages target investigations to help the implementation of commercial products based on the capability of the company and the contribution of the interns and their supervisor. Two different topics are targeted: i) development of a monitoring system for evaluation of the oil filter loading in gas turbine engines and ii) performance evaluation of a special class of seals (Helicoflex made by Garlock), units that retain the oil within the bearing. The first topic is more involving and it requires significantly more resources and consists of three projects. Thus, a mathematical model of the filter loading will be built based on modeling the filter as a large number of orifices. The second project targeted the development of a FEA model that includes other physics such as temperature variation, which affects viscosity. The third project will target the practical development of an instrumented filter. The second topic will be targeting the development of a FEA model that will help the understanding of the Helicoflex operation and therefore, it will help the selection of such seals.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Ion Stiharu

Student:

Anas Alazzam/Alfin Leo Amalorpavasamy/Dacian Emilian Roman/Amin Mohammad Changizi

Partner:

Tecnolub Systems Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Aerospace and defense

University:

Concordia University