Design of a high-speed turbomachinery test cell and components

The design and construction of a high-speed turbomachinery research facility is reported. This facility provides a drive system utilizing a gas turbine engine, two speed-increasing gearboxes, and interconnecting couplings to deliver 1650 HP to test rotors at speeds from 12000 to 20400 rpm in either rotational direction. A multistage axial-flow compressor was assumed as the load for initial design calculations. A vibration analysis was conducted to insure that no torsional resonances occurred within the operating range of the system.

The mounting system was designed to provide a readily changeable means for interconnecting components so that numerous research activities were possible.

Instrumentation, monitoring and control equipment were provided for continuous regulation of all necessary system and test parameters.