Test systems maker measures up to jet engine study role

The torque measuring equipment manufacturer has been chosen by the University of Nottingham to produce a three shaft test rig for its new £5.6 million Gas Turbine and Transmissions Research Centre (G2TRC).

The rig will enable researchers to explore a wide range of testing scenarios that are currently not readily available in the UK. Rolls-Royce is set to be the facility's first major customer when it opens in April 2018.

Thanks to its modern design and trio of independent drive shafts, the rig will be able to test a variety of aero engine and advanced power transmissions units, both vertically and horizontally, up to 60,000rpm and torque values of up to 165Nm. It will also be equipped with Torquemeters' TorDac data acquisition and test automation software.

Dr Paloma Paleo, Nottingham University's rigs procurement manager explained: "In general, many experimental investigations and validations of relevant behaviour have often been left to full engine or test runs. As well as not being conducive to exploring design variations or broader fundamental questions, these are also very costly and come too late in the design process.

"Taking into account the reduced duration of current and future engine and aircraft development programmes, it's now more important than ever before that businesses can experiment extensively during the design phase.”

The rig is also expected to be used for studying transmissions, engine cores and compressors for other manufacturers involved in the automotive, energy, marine and rail industries.

Torquemeters www.torquemeters.com

G2TRC www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/gas-turbine-and-transmissions-centre