View Full Version : How The Wren 2 stage Turbine system works
cbergen
02-26-2006, 11:39 PM
OK, as discussed in another thread, here is hopefully the start of explaining how these funny smelling engines work. I fully expect Sara and others with more experience and knowledge than I to jump in here and lend a hand.
I may also steal some from an MHT magazine article by Mike Fortune. Mike, like myself, is an A&P mechanic and is somewhat familiar with the operation and maintenance of Turbine Enignes...
Let's get started,
http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/6eda4ab1c72c2b50423ed4804c641cd7.jpg
This is a pic from the Wren website of the older MkII, but gives the general layout of a Turbine.
cbergen
02-26-2006, 11:41 PM
As usual, now I'm having trouble with the pics.... Sorry for the double post, I'll figure it out.
fitenfyr
02-27-2006, 12:05 AM
Hey it's simple....
Suck, Squeeze (just a little), bang, blow (a whole lot!) right? :D :D :D
I saw the coolest thing yesterday and if I had known you were doing this I would have taken a TON of pictures for you.
These guys...
http://www.landspeed.com/Introduction.asp
were at the NW aviation expo and they had a cut away engine that the kids could crank on the front and see all the compressor stages working.
VERY COOL!
I didn't take one picture though because the kids were all over it. :D
Really showed how these turbines work.
cbergen
02-27-2006, 12:50 AM
Haven't you been reading the other posts? :roll: :D
fitenfyr
02-27-2006, 03:04 PM
No must have missed them. :D
The guy is local to me well somewhat.
I will see if I can get out and find them at another show soon for you.
It was REALLY cool!
cbergen
02-27-2006, 08:28 PM
It would make an excellent picture!!
fitenfyr
02-28-2006, 02:13 AM
Well your wish is my command. :D
I just exchanged e-mails with Ed one of the owners and the driver.
He said work partys are on Saturday and he would have the guy bring it over to the hanger for me. :D
While I am there we are going to setup doing some aerials and virtual reality shots. :D
Should be really exciting.
Off to Anchorage for the start of the Iditarod this weekend, but when I get back I will arrange the visit.
cbergen
02-28-2006, 12:44 PM
Oh sweet!! You gonna do video of the Iditarod?
We're getting a little off track, and I have been busy the last two days. I'll get back to it.
fitenfyr
02-28-2006, 02:29 PM
Nope no birds this trip.
Family get away so only the still cameras. :D
How about a video of that car going Supersonic though. :D :D :D
cbergen
03-03-2006, 11:42 PM
http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/2465feb9a698814d0b4f285989b7de43.jpg
The front end, the compressor. Draws air in, spinning it outward, compressing it, hence it's name.
Maybe Sara can explain the green mark?
cbergen
03-03-2006, 11:50 PM
http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/728e9b3f6a98175817c276dd16971313.jpg
What may be called the scroll in some full size applications, the air that was spun outward from the compressor is redirected by the vanes on the outer rim, into the outer area of the combustion chamber.
The tunnel on the rear of this piece houses the 2 ceramic bearings that support the turbine shaft.
I must add that this is some beautiful machine work!!
cbergen
03-04-2006, 12:03 AM
http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/6b75a8bd84059528811a00275f92d410.jpg
The intake which has a very close tolerance to the compressor, and the combustion chamber installed.
The compressed air flowing around the outer combustion chamber, is forced to the inner combustion chamber through the holes you see. The pattern of the holes also dictates how the flame is propagated inside the combustion chamber.
The fittings on the front are for the fuel and propane lines. There is some very intricate work on this combustion chamber.
cbergen
03-04-2006, 12:20 AM
http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/e99a3d61a44886cb54f07d6555279de8.jpg
A peek inside the combustion chamber. The outer ring is the fuel (kero) line, which feeds the injectors stuck down in the pipes. Some very tiny needles spraying fuel up into the front of the chamber.
This is where the ball of flame is contained, heating the already pressurized air, increasing the pressure tremendously.
Now all that pressure has to go somewhere......
Nice work, Chris!
The green mark:The compressor is almost the only part of the engine that isn't made specially for us, to our design. It a standard industrial component used in car turbo-chargers. The green mark is on the compressor when it arrives and we think that it is probably put there to aid balancing at the factory.
Sara
Wren Turbines