M. J. Hartmann Memorial Session Paper: NASA/GE Fan and Compressor Research Accomplishments

Fan and compressor research projects carried out at GE Aircraft Engines under NASA sponsorship are described in this paper. Four 1400-fps-tip-speed rotors designed with different airfoil shapes were found to have comparable stall lines but different efficiency trends. A stator placed behind one of these affected its performance somewhat. Adjustments of variable camber inlet guide vanes placed ahead of a 1500fps stage were found to affect its pumping capability without much affecting its stall line. For the Quiet Engine Program (QEP), two 1160-fps fans and one 1550-fps fan were tested. Development of the high-speed fan revealed the effects on performance of airfoil shape and part-span shroud blockage. The 950-fps variable-pitch fan for the Quiet Clean Short-haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE) demonstrated reverse thrust capabilities and a novel method of avoiding large core inlet pressure losses during reverse thrust operation. The 1350-fps Energy Efficient Engine (E³) fan demonstrated excellent performance with a novel quarter-stage arrangement that eliminated the need for interspool bleed while giving good dirt removal potential. The E³ compressor program employed Low Speed Research Compressor tests to identify the most appropriate blading type. High-speed rig tests and engine tests were then used to develop this 23:1-spool-pressure-ratio compressor. Research on casing boundary layer control through bleeding and blowing led to the discovery that irregular casing geometries usually give stall line enhancements even without auxiliary air circuits. Some of the resulting casing treatment research is reported herein. Instances in which NASA-sponsored research has affected GE Aircraft Engine products are pointed out.