Feasibility Demonstration of a Turbine Engine Rotor Mounted Electrical Generator

A feasibility demonstration featuring the integration of a 30 kva electrical generator into a gas turbine engine was successfully completed.

The test results demonstrated adequacy of the selected electrical, magnetic and thermal designs. The mechanical design was satisfactory except for a discrepancy in securing the permanent magnet to the generator rotor.

Establishing the practicality of integral generators in gas turbines is a step toward improving aircraft and propulsion performance by reducing frontal area, engine and accessory weight and engine airflow blockage by the tower shaft shroud. However, these advantages don't necessarily justify universal adoption. Each prospective application must be confirmed by the increasingly complex process required to optimize aircraft internal power systems.