Problems of making auxiliary gas turbine engines with gas bearing rotors

The paper deals with the topical issue in the area of developing and producing gas turbine engines on gas bearings. The use of non-conventional types of bearings – gasodynamic ones – in gas turbine engines is of practical interest as it will make it possible to give up oil systems completely and to create a “dry” engine in future. This will considerably simplify the engine structure, improve its mass-dimension parameters, increase the reliability and reduce the cost of producing and maintenance.
Analysis of the state and level of the above-mentioned technologies in Russian Federation and abroad is given. Examples of high-temperature turbomachines produced (supercharging turbine-driven set, gas turbine engines, miniturbojet engines) using gas bearings are given.
The paper presents the results of designing and investigations carried out at the Central Institute of Aircraft Engine Design, of a model rotor using gas bearings for a small-size auxiliary gas turbine engine (equivalent capacity 50 kWt) developed at the joint-stock company “Aerosila” jointly with the Central Institute of Aircraft Engine Design.

Auxiliary gas turbine engine, rotor, gasodynamic bearing, lobe bearing, foil bearing, high-temperature antifriction coating