Design and Development of a Light Weight, High Pressure Ratio Aircraft Turbocharger

For nearly 30 years, general aviation turbocharged piston engines have been boosted with slightly modified automotive type turbo-chargers. Although durable and reliable, this type of turbomachinery has seen little change during that period and continues to reflect weight and performance characteristics of ground equipment. With the objective of developing technology capable of meeting the challenge of future aviation requirements. an advanced concept aircraft quality turbo-charger has been designed and developed as a proof of concept by the Teledyne Continental Motors Aircraft Products Division.

This paper presents the detail design and development of a prototype model which incorporates improved component efficiencies, a high pressure ratio compressor stage, and lightweight design techniques. Details of the aerodynamic and mechanical design are given with a review of development test results to date. State-of-the-art aerospace technology is integrated into an on-purpose turbocharger design, yet with low technical risk. The result is a highly efficient turbocharger capable of providing a compressor pressure ratio in excess of 6:1 with a total weight less than 30 pounds - the first on-purpose aircraft turbomachinery since the 1940 era.