Book Description

The small engine field is currently undergoing a second generation of design, striving for lower first and operating costs, higher reliability and reduced emissions and noise, this being made possible by improved aerodynamics, new high-strength and high-temperature materials, and sophisticated analytic tools. Some small gas turbines have moved into applications such as powering regional aircraft where large-engine technology, including advanced blade cooling and materials are economically viable. Free from the extreme weight and volume constraints of large aircraft engines, small engines use a wide variety of different components including radial compressors and/or turbines and folded combustors. These have unique problems and have led to some very advanced design and analysis techniques. This symposium reviewed the current status, recent advances and new challenges in the technology of small civil and military gas turbine engines up to 500 horsepower/7000 pound thrust class.