EddieWeeks

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bela

whenever the topic of turbofans come up i notice it is usually in ref to high bypass engines...i.e transport types, or a-10....somethin in the 80% bypass ratio range. i think this is why it may not have been considered for the fighter type planes.
im thinking that with a much lower bypass requirement, that fighter type engines would be more of a leaky turbojet, and fan torque/core rpm ratio would be a less daunting issue. these type engines would still be beneficial from the standpoint of relatively lower rpm, quieter/cooler operation and and some fuel savings.
in this case a front mounted direct drive fan would be feasible. any thoughts???

EddieWeeks

The core need to turn at least 80,000 before any
real power is produced... and even a 4" dia
fan will be running at Mach 1.3 at 80,000...

Eddie Weeks

Guybo

Couch Pilot

Thanks for the interest.

I must admit I have never herd of the engine you say looks similar to ours. Our engine was loosely based on the RR Tent 800, GE90, and Pratt and Whitney's high bypass engine. The fan diameter, to core engine diameter being the main scaling factor.

As for Plans. Most of the drawings are not really finalized enough for distribution, as we didn't goto the end of the world to achieve this, as it is only a hobby. All I will say for now is maybe, once we are very happy with running the engine, so it would be worth your while, as there is allot of very accurate work involved.
There are also further developments such as a carbon fiber fan, once we are happy with the blade angles.


General

Another thing to add at this point which was mentioned in an earlier thread is that the core engine is based on the MW54. The Compressor, and turbines are all MW54. I think it is important to point out that it is always better to start with a proven system before endeavoring into this sort of a project, or you really would be up against it. In our case to main aim of the project was to get a thin concentric shaft through the gas generator, as to achieve the in-line flow layout.

EddieWeeks

Hey Guybo... good taking to you at FL Jets

Each fan blade weighs 11.38 grams and turning at
40,000 rpms with 0.0792 in^2 at the base, the
centrifugal force only in 36,000 psi.. Well below
the ~150,000 max for inconel..

That is what is great about Solidworks and other Cad
programs... You can check all kind of things before you
cut the first part...

Eddie Weeks

Guybo

Hi Eddie

I think you may have me down for some one else, as I have never been to FL jets, but it is interesting to know that there are other people claiming the fame for the bypass fan

These modern CAD programs are a good design tool, I must admit. Looking at the color of your turbine I would say you r using solid works?.

Looks like you have done your home work, which is wise, as you will be investing quite some time getting that baby ready. It would be interesting to run that model on a fea package none the less, if you have that available to you.

Keep us up to date with ya progress, as this project if successfull is very exciting technology.

Guybo

This may interest you eddie

Guybo

Note they way the fan is linked to the turbines

JakeWilds

Now we're talking! That looks really good. Have the wings been molded yet? Considering the depth of the wing, is there enough room to route the puffer ducts?

Thanks,

Jake Wilds

Couch-pilot

There was an article in one of the mags some years back that might interest you. A guy was building a fair sized model Harrier, and was going to use a CO2 cartridge as a gas supply, with piping to route it tot the wingtips, nose and tail. you could probably use like a smoke valve or retract valve at each tip and nose and tail, and run them off the corresponding control linkages. I can't see it taking much of a blast to disturb a hover in any direction, and it would be self leveling if gyros were on yaw and pitch axes. You could probably get away with a propellant can, or possibly a big bottle for compressed air (ie retracts).
If I can find the article, I'll e-mail it.

EddieWeeks

Here is a pic of the wax that will be vacume cast
out of Inconel 718. All that is left is to built a test
stand, bore a hole in the turbofan and mount
the whole thing to the TJT-3000. Should be
about one month...

Eddie Weeks

grbaker

My Feedback: (29)

Way Cool, Eddie.

can't wait!

Eddie Lozano

I cant wait till someone come up a working turbo-fan. I can make the airframe for the harrier.

elrcjets

Skybouncer

My Feedback: (3)

Hi Jake, yes the wing is composite and has been molded, my best memory seems like the core of the wing is deep enough for the ducting.
This project was going to be built as strictly a flying harrier jet without the VTOL capability's, but too many other more feasible projects have pushed it to the back of the list a couple of years ago. BUT if you guys keep advancing on the turbofan it could be built as a VTOL aircraft. I simply do not have the time to spend on all the development engineering it would take to make it a VTOL HARRIER. But I would be willing to sell the airframe kits and finish the tooling and fixtures to bring it to kit form if someone wishes to pursue the development of the VTOL capability's.

EricJ

Hey Eddie,

That fan looks great, you're definitely on the right track. One question. Looking at that fan, is that the final wax pattern or is that the prototype pattern to make the epoxy mold. Very impressed with the quality.

Eric

Modelman

My Feedback: (7)

Hi Eric,

I'll answer your question. The fan investment you see above is the actual wax for the casting of the component. The part, as you see it, is directly off the machine with only the support structure removed.

It took ~12 hours to produce (still MUCH faster than hand built proto's) and is ready for the ceramic shell, minus the foundry's sprue/gating.

Craig

EddieWeeks

After waiting many months it came in yesterday..

A near perfect copy of the wax pice that Craig made for me,
execpt this one is Inconel 718. This material can handel
the high temps of the turbine core no problem.

All that is left is to put a shaft on it and balance it.

Eddie Weeks

EricJ

Looks fantastic Eddie!
What is the OD of the shroud you intend to use for that fan and more specifically, what will it go in?

Good luck with your testing and once again excellent R&D.

prattcan1

Very nice!
When's your ETA on first test run and do you think you might pack it along with you to Superman?

LoneRanger

My Feedback: (1)

wow, modern technology at work for the "small guys" that is great-

Eddie, how much if that holds together would a reproduction of that cost? and can it be done again? so you have 2 of them-



congrats- very cool stuff.




L.R.

Modelman

My Feedback: (7)

We're happy to see that it turned-out! We do alot of different projects for all kinds of companies... but this project has a "special something" attached to it. Can't wait to see the video's Eddie!!!

Craig

key west

What happend to this one? Any news or is this beautifull project dead?

EddieWeeks

Ran out of money.. Still have all the parts, drawings if anyone is interested..


Eddie

George

My Feedback: (57)

Eddie, PM sent.

rc-cropduster

Any result of that PM? Does the project have a new owner? Any further developments?