A virtual turbine module demonstrator for aircraft engines

• Post by: Alessandro Bertoni
• 27th August 2015
• 1 Comment

Aircraft engines are complex systems built by modules and components whose perfect coordination grants the safety and the performances of any aircraft.

Bringing innovation in such a system is a complex and critical task that needs to be enabled by the right methods and technologies. The capability of virtually testing new ideas instead of recurring to expensive physical tests in one of those.

Since January 2015 researchers at PDRL are active participants to the “VITUM – VIrtuell TUrbinModuldemonstrator” (Virtual Turbine Module Demonstrator) project funded by the VINNOVA NFFP (Nationellt Flygtekniskt Forskningsprogram) program.

The project aims at integrating multidisciplinary knowledge and simulation skills to develop and demonstrate technologies capable of virtually demonstrating and testing the performances and the value of the new components.

“It’s an exciting research opportunity” says Alessandro Bertoni, researcher at PDRL and reference person for VITUM at BTH, “We have the possibility to merge knowledge from our research on Value Driven Design, with engineering skills on warm structure design, production, material, and supply chain system, all in one unique demonstrator that will be delivered in short term. We can really touch with our hands the concrete impact of our research in real life”.

The project, which is expected to finish in early 2017, will deliver a multidisciplinary design analysis for an integrated module concept, together with virtual models to be used for multidisciplinary analysis and a development method and environment for integrated modules development.

The project has a budget of 10.5 million SEK and involves four institutions: Blekinge Institute of Technology, Swerea IVF, Chalmers and GKN Aerospace Engine Systems, with the role of project coordinator.

More information:

• Press: http://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/bth/pressreleases/virtuell-testning-ger-baettre-flygmotorer-988415

Contacts:

• Tobias Larsson: tobias.larsson@bth.se
• Alessandro Bertoni: alessandro.bertoni@bth.se
• Marco Bertoni: marco.bertoni@bth.se