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The steady-state and dynamic performance of a candidate aircraft power distribution system is considered. The system features distribution of both single phase 20-kHz and three-phase 400-Hz power. It is shown that unlike some other recent 20-kHz systems, the power quality of the 20-kHz bus is not a concern due to the use of a synchronous bi-directional rectifier (SBR) as the primary interface to the 20-kHz bus. In addition to showing that the system behaves adequately in the steady-state, the dynamic performance of the system is considered during step changes in load, bolted faults, and sudden variations in jet engine speed.

Jet Engines may experience severe vibration due to the sudden imbalance caused by blade failure. This research investigates employment of on board magnetic bearings or piezolectric actuators to cancel these forces in flight. This operation requires identification of the source of the vibrations via an expert system, determination of the required phase angles and amplitudes for the correction forces, and application of the desired control signals to the magnetic bearings or piezo electric actuators. This paper will show the architecture of the software system, details of the control algorithm used for the sudden imbalance correction project described above, and the laboratory test results.

Current activities in seals for space propulsion turbomachinery that the NASA Lewis Research Center sponsors are surveyed. The overall objective is to provide the designer and the researcher with the concepts and the data to control seal dynamics and leakage. Included in the program are low-leakage seals, such as the brush seal, the “ceramic rope” seal, low-leakage seals for liquid oxygen turbopumps, face seals for two-phase flow, and swirl brakes for stability. Two major efforts are summarized: a study of seal dynamics in rotating machinery and an effort in seals code development.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Lewis Research Center (LeRC) is responsible for the development, fabrication, and assembly of the electric power system (EPS) for the Space Station Freedom (SSF). The Power Management and Distribution (PMAD) Systems Testbed was assembled to support the design and early evaluation of SSF EPS operating concepts. The PMAD Systems Testbed represents a portion of the SSF EPS, containing intelligent switchgear, power conditioning devices, and the EPS Controllers. The PMAD Systems Testbed facility is discussed, including the power sources and loads available. A description of the PMAD Data System (PDS) is presented. The PDS controls the testbed facility hardware, monitors and records the EPS control data bus and external data. The external data includes testbed voltages and currents along with facility temperatures, pressures, and flow rates. Transient data is collected utilizing digital oscilloscopes.