Windtuner Technology Propels the Development of Aero Engines

According to a recent report by China Industry News, China's aviation industry is experiencing a period of steady growth, with the aero engine sector—an essential driving force within the aviation industry—on the verge of a historic breakthrough. As the "heart" of large aircraft, aero engines are characterized by unparalleled technological complexity and manufacturing challenges, making them the pinnacle of the industry.

As a new growth pole among global aero engine producers and consumers, China has become one of the world's largest aviation markets, with passenger and cargo demand steadily increasing. According to the newly released *2024 Aero Engine Industry Development White Paper* (hereinafter referred to as the "White Paper"), the market size of China's aero engine industry has shown an overall upward trend. In 2021, the market size was approximately 40 billion RMB, around 48.7 billion RMB in 2022, and it surpassed 60 billion RMB in 2023.

The White Paper predicts that in the civilian sector, the aero engine market will continue to thrive, driven by rising domestic demand and the gradual entry of domestically produced engines into the market. However, the White Paper also highlights that although China has established a complete industrial chain encompassing upstream and downstream segments and formed industrial clusters in various regions, the global civilian aero engine market is still dominated by international giants such as GE, PW, and RR. For instance, the engine LEAP-X, which powers the maiden flight of the C919, was developed by CFM International. There is an urgent need to shorten the iteration cycles and frequency, as well as to innovate in engine design concepts and methods.

To overcome these challenges, the White Paper proposes five key recommendations: strengthening the core competitiveness of primary manufacturers, enhancing and fortifying the supply chain, accelerating the development of industrial clusters, establishing a diversified support system, and focusing on talent development and incentives. These measures aim to comprehensively enhance the autonomy, control, and market competitiveness of China's aero engine industry.

Windtuner Technology Boosts Aero Engine Development

Amid this industry wave, Windtuner Technology, a leading company in the field of flow field measurement and control, is providing robust support for the development and testing of aero engines through its innovation and technical expertise. Windtuner Technology specializes in the flow measurement and control sector, dedicated to offering comprehensive flow field measurement and control solutions to its clients. Its core products include the customization and calibration of aerodynamic probes, the development and manufacturing of intelligent pressure scanning valves and their accompanying control systems, the development of WindLabX data acquisition and analysis software, as well as professional wind tunnel testing services.

Windtuner Technology's products and services are widely applied in various critical research and development stages, including testing on aero engine test benches, compressor testing, and intake distortion testing. These contributions have significantly bolstered the scientific research efforts in aero engine development.

Case 1: Aero Engine Test Bench Testing

Aero engine testing on test benches is a critical phase in the development process, underscoring its importance. This testing comprehensively validates the engine's design and performance, ensuring that it meets design specifications under actual operating conditions. During these tests, various extreme operating conditions can be simulated to assess the engine's reliability and durability, providing crucial data for subsequent improvements and optimizations. Additionally, these tests accumulate valuable experimental data that supports the ongoing advancement of aero engine technology.

In one case, a unit faced the challenge of accurately measuring steady-state pressure data during aero engine test bench testing. They successfully addressed this issue by employing Windtuner's intelligent pressure scanning valve (WTN DAQ-P-1604) along with three-point total pressure probes, multi-point total pressure probes, and five-hole probes. This solution effectively resolved the measurement challenge and facilitated precise testing.

Case 2: Aero Engine Compressor Testing

Compressor testing is a crucial part of aero engine evaluation, aimed at ensuring both engine performance and safety. As one of the core components of the engine, the compressor is responsible for compressing atmospheric air to supply the combustion chamber, which is essential for generating thrust. This process is vital for producing adequate thrust and ensuring the engine operates efficiently.

Comprehensive testing and assessment of the compressor allow for validation of its performance and reliability under various operating conditions. This ensures that the compressor can consistently deliver the required compression efficiency and airflow in actual operation, meeting the design requirements and standards of the aero engine while ensuring flight safety.

For a recent compressor testing project, Windtuner Technology provided advanced solutions including the intelligent pressure scanning valve (WTN DAQ–P-1604S), aerodynamic probes, and data acquisition software. These tools facilitated the client's research on compression efficiency, airflow, and inter-stage flow field parameters, providing essential support for the testing and optimization of the compressor.

Case 3: Aero Engine Intake Distortion Testing

Total pressure distortion in aero engine intake primarily arises from the ingestion of boundary layers from the aircraft's fuselage and airflow separation at high angles of attack or sideslip angles. This results in uneven total pressure distribution at the engine inlet, which can lead to issues such as compressor stall, surge, and blade flutter or fracture. These problems significantly constrain engine performance and limit the aircraft's flight envelope.

To study intake distortion, Dalian Windtuner Technology Co., Ltd. provided a comprehensive flow measurement and control solution along with the necessary hardware. This included total pressure probes, the intelligent pressure scanning valve (WTN DAQ–P-1604S), a motion controller (WTN-PMACB04), and data acquisition software. These tools facilitated accurate pressure measurement of the intake airflow field sections, which was highly praised by the client for enhancing their research on aero engine intake distortion.

Case 4: Small Gas Turbine Performance Testing

Small gas turbines are a key technology for advancing clean energy and sustainable development. They help reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate environmental impact, thus contributing to the ongoing improvement and maintenance of ecological systems.

To enhance the performance of small gas turbines, a client acquired several measurement and control solutions from Windtuner Technology. This included total pressure probes, total temperature probes, combined total pressure and temperature probes, high-temperature probes, intelligent pressure scanning valves (WTN DAQ-P-1604S), thermocouple data acquisition instruments (WTN DAQ-T-1602), and data acquisition software (Wind Lab X). These tools provided robust support for collecting crucial parameters such as total temperature, total pressure, and static pressure, ensuring accurate and reliable performance testing of the small gas turbines.

Case 5: Air Conditioning Fan Flow Field Testing

The air conditioning system is an essential component of modern buildings, and the ductwork within the system plays a crucial role in its performance. The design and optimization of the ductwork can directly impact the system's efficiency, energy consumption, and indoor air quality. Therefore, analyzing and optimizing the flow field within the air conditioning ducts is of significant importance.

To address this, a client utilized Windtuner Technology’s micro five-hole probe anemometer along with WindLabX data acquisition software. By integrating these with a motion controller and a displacement table, the client achieved fully automated data collection. This setup facilitated comprehensive testing of the airflow field within the air conditioning fan ducts, providing valuable data for optimizing duct design and enhancing system performance.

At the same time, Windtuner Technology is actively exploring the application of new materials and processes to meet the growing demands for lightweight, high-temperature resistance, and high-strength performance in aero engine development. The company has established close collaborations with multiple research institutions and universities to advance the research and industrial application of aero engines, thereby accelerating the autonomous innovation and progress of China’s aero engine technology.

Against the backdrop of the national strategy to vigorously develop the aviation industry, Windtuner Technology is responding to the call with concrete actions. By partnering with the Chinese aero engine industry, the company is working together to achieve a brighter and more successful future in aviation technology.