SBIR-STTR Award

This proposal is to develop and demonstrate technologies for a VAATE TMC tapered counter-rotating shaft. The GEAE VAATE engine incorporates counter-rotating inner/outer shafts. The inner shaft has a long length, relatively small diameter and is tapered along its length. To satisfy dynamic and torsion requirements (high frequency along with high torsion capability) it employs a high stiffness, high torsion strength, and low-density TMC material. Issues associated with using TMCs for such an application have not been studied; i.e., (1) arrangements and methods for fiber/matrix architecture control and consolidation processing in a varying cross section tapered TMC shaft, (2) related process and performance modeling, (3) vibration response and strength prediction trade studies, (4) crack growth rate and toughness as a function of TMC fiber architecture, and (5) fiber bridging effects during ply layup, HIP processing and cyclic torsion operation. Phase I will study these issues, develop concepts and fabricate a stepped diameter TMC part to demonstrate capability for successful design, manufacture and implementation of a counter-rotating TMC shaft. Phase II will provide detailed analytical derivations, development and prototypical device demonstrations as well as develop a technology transition plan for future systems and commercial ventures.

Keywords:
Tmc, Vaate, Jsf, Modeling, Affordable, High Performance, Shafting, Enabling

This proposal is to develop and demonstrate technologies for a JSF TMC shaft. Two possible JSF TMC shaft configurations are possible. One is a large diameter, thick wall, very high torque, bottle shaped LP shaft that transmits torque from the LP turbine to both the engineís fan and an in-line lift-fan-shaft. The other is a stepped configuration inner shaft of a counter rotating engine-system. The first is for use in a lighter weight design of the current JSF engine and the second for use in a redesigned, significantly lighter weight, counter rotating JSF engine. A Phase I SBIR is studying design and manufacturing approaches applicable to the forward and aft ends of a TMC stepped shaft for the JSF engine and the GE/VAATE counter-rotating engine. Issues associated with using TMCs for a very high torque, thick walled, application are being successfully addressed under a Phase II SBIR program titled ìThick-Wall Oriented-Fiber TMC Shaft Developmentî. This proposal is for a Phase II follow-on to the above Phase I TMC Stepped Shaft Program. It will provide detailed analytical derivations, scale-up-development and prototypical device demonstrations, as well as develop a technology transition plan for future systems and commercial ventures.

Keywords:
Shafting, Tmc, Jsf, Vaate, Modeling, Affordable, H