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The Measurement of Engine Thrust in an Altitude Test Facility
- Aerospace Standard
- AIR5771
- Issued
Downloadable datasets available
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Issuing Committee:
Language:
English
Scope
This report covers engine tests performed in Altitude Test Facilities (ATFs) with the primary purpose of determining steady state thrust at simulated altitude flight conditions as part of the in-flight thrust determination process. As such it is complementary to AIR1703 and AIR5450, published by the SAE E-33 Technical Committee. The gross thrust determined using such tests may be used to generate other thrust-related parameters that are frequently applied in the assessment of propulsion system performance. For example: net thrust, specific thrust, and exhaust nozzle coefficients.
The report provides a general description of ATFs including all the major features. These are:
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Test cell air supply system. This controls the inlet pressure and includes flow straightening, humidity and temperature conditioning.
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Air inlet duct and slip joint. Note that the report only covers the case where the inlet duct is connected to the engine, not free jet testing.
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Thrust stand force measurement system
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Test cell
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Cell exhaust system
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Measurement system
The report provides detailed technical information on how the facilities are operated, including:
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Program planning guidelines
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Optimization of the tests
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Setting and control of flight conditions
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Assessment of the data
A technical discussion provides the underlying physics for:
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Air mass flow determination
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Determination of the conditions in the inlet duct and slip joint
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Derivation of thrust and related parameters
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Correction of data to nominal flight conditions
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Measurement uncertainty
The initial issue of this report primarily address ATF testing of engines intended for use on subsonic, transport aircraft. Future revisions to the report will include greater content relevant to the testing of engines for supersonic aircraft, including the wider and higher flight envelopes associated with such aircraft and the technical issues raised by these flight conditions.
Rationale
The aim of the document is to assemble and record the current knowledge of the use of an Altitude Test Facility (ATF) in support of In-Flight Thrust Determination (IFTD). There is a particular need to identify and understand the defined test processes that have the greatest influence on the accuracy of the result. The document will address the key concerns and recommend best practices for optimizing them.
Recommended Content
| Aerospace Standard | The Measurement of Engine Thrust in an Altitude Test Facility |
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| Aerospace Standard | Environmental Control System Contamination |
Topic
Data Sets - Support Documents
| Title | Description | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Unnamed Dataset 1 | ||
| Unnamed Dataset 2 | ||
| Table 1 | Effect of +1% error in inputs on thrust and SFC results | |
| Table 2 | Slip joint design considerations | |
| Table A1 |
Issuing Committee
E-33 In Flight Propulsion Measurement Committee
Reviews industry experience and state-of-the-art on in-flight thrust, meassurement and its uncertainty, including ASME, ISO, MIDAP, USAF, JANNAF, and NIST methods - including sources of error. Determines whether there is a basis to support development of a procedure for determing uncertainty, and review methods of measuring in-flight thrust. from possible drafting of information documents. Produces several SAE Aerospace Information Reports on Determination of In-Flight Thrust and Measurement Uncertainty of In-Flight Thrust Determination.
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| Number | Title |
|---|---|
| AIAA 93-2452 | This document is not part of the subscrption. |
| AIAA 99-0304 | This document is not part of the subscrption. |
| AIR1678 | UNCERTAINTY OF IN-FLIGHT THRUST DETERMINATION |
| AIR1703 | In-Flight Thrust Determination |
| AIR5450 | Advanced Ducted Propulsor In-Flight Thrust Determination |
| AIR5925 | Measurement Uncertainty Applied to Cost-Effective Testing |
| AS755 | This document is not part of the subscrption. |
| ASME PTC19.1 | This document is not part of the subscrption. |
| ISO 2533 | This document is not part of the subscrption. |
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