Operating a gasturbine in different positions or attitudes

[Onemorechance]

This may be too vage of a question, but anyway.

I would like to know if a gasturbine engine can be operated in any position for any length of time. For example, if I would like to use a gasturbine engine with its axis in vertical position for x time and then bring it in another position, say axis in horizotal position and continue the operation for y time.

If not what needs to be adapted in order to enable this?

 

[tbuelna]

Onemorechance:

You would likely need to modify the lube oil scavenge system to operate at the attitude you mention.

Regards,
Terry

 

[Sparweb]

Fuel drains, too. Pretty minor. Do you have in mind a purpose like the Osprey tilt-rotor?
Instead of being directed in a continuous flow from fore-to-aft, the vertical engine would direct its exhuast at the ground.
A) heat could accumulate
B) the exhaust could re-circulate back up, and into the inlet again. This was a concern in VTOL jet fighters... I think I saw something about that recently, too... where, my memory fails me now...


Steven Fahey, CET
"Simplicate, and add more lightness" - Bill Stout

 

[Boathouse]

The engine OEM will have an installation handbook (or similar) and it should give you limitations for operating pitch, yaw and roll angles along with durations at these limits.

If you look at the V22 installation, the Allison (Rolls Royce now) engine is operated in the vertical through to horizontal but (as tbuelna rightly said) the lube and scavange system has been designed specifically to cope. Also the drains system for the combustor and any other plenums would need to be designed accordingly to comply with the relevant regulations for the country of certification in which it will work.

 

[Onemorechance]

Thank you all for the reply!

I am tempted to (use) an Allison T63-A-700(250-C18) for my application. And yes you can see this application as somewhat similar to what the Osprey tilt-rotor engine has to go through position range (vertical to horizontal). (Maybe I will reveal some more later if you insist on knowing) I am only in the concept phase with this and need to learn more about it first.
Do you think that for this engine,(Allison T63-A-700)the lube and scavange system, drains system for the combustor, etc... could easily be modified for this purpose?


Onemorechance.

 

[Sparweb]

Although it may not be a make-or-break issue for your design, the technical nitty-gritty of making the sub-systems work does have a bearing on the cost and complexity of the project, and service costs. The only way I would be able to satisfy myself in this situation would be to find an engine overhaul shop that works on these engines, phone up the manager, and invite myself over. If the guy's chatty, you could have a knowledgeable answer in 15 minutes.


Steven Fahey, CET
"Simplicate, and add more lightness" - Bill Stout