Research group: Propulsion Systems
E-Mail-address: thomas.ruminy(at)tu-braunschweig.de
Room: 228
Phone: +49 531 391 94286
In modern turbofan engines, the fan provides the majority of the thrust. In the development of future ultra-high bypass ratio engines, the focus is on increasing off-design performance – especially since the fan design already achieves very high aerodynamic efficiency in design operation. To maximize efficiency throughout the entire flight, optimizing the off-design range is therefore crucial.
As part of the SE²A Cluster of Excellence, I am working closely with DLR Braunschweig to develop and validate shape-adaptive fan blades that can dynamically adapt to changing flow conditions. Using a novel aero-structural design methodology to optimize blade shape changes, piezoceramic macro-fiber composite actuators are integrated into the surface of a carbon fiber reinforced polymer fan blade. Electrical excitation of the actuators causes targeted deformation, allowing dynamic adjustment of the blade curvature and stagger angle.
To experimentally validate the numerical design, scaled prototypes were manufactured and analyzed under realistic operating loads with regard to deformation behavior and manufacturing uncertainties. The findings contribute to preparing the shape adaptation technology for use in a rotating test bench environment.
ICA C "Energy Storage and Conversion" C3.1
ICA C "Functional 3D Design and Experimental Validation of Shape-Adaptive Fan Blading" C3.1
Aerodynamik der Triebwerkskomponenten