Installation of a Turbine Stage in the Pyestock Isentropic Light Piston Facility

Abstract

The Isentropic Light Piston Facility (ILPF) at Pyestock has been upgraded to include a single stage, high pressure turbine. All major non-dimensional parameters are accurately scaled during the 0.4s run time, enabling heat transfer and aerodynamic measurements to be made at engine representative conditions. The ILPF was previously an annular cascade facility. This paper describes the design and integration of the rotor module and the results of the commissioning tests. An important feature is a novel, patented, turbobrake which is shown to maintain the turbine at a constant speed during the run.