Table of Contents
3. Operation load and behavior of the components
As an involved car owner, you are aware of the technical data and „interior life“ of your car. In conversations on the subject with colleagues or the workshop, you are in a position to recognize and correct gross falseness, such as utopian statements regarding the consumption or lifetime of the car and to evaluate, approximately, how much effort would go into repairing it. You know why certain repair work has to be carried out and the implicit risks if repair intervals are not maintained. From the behavior of the car and symptoms that may appear, it is possible for you to judge which parts have been, and may possibly be, affected. This chapter intends to reveal the same possibilities, in connections with your gas turbine.
A certain expertise on the subject is required for the successful operation of a gas turbine. This includes realistic judgment of divergences and operation particularities, as well as an assessment of the technical suggestions and offers involved. An evaluation of the risks, whether technical or financial, should be at least partially possible. In short, it has to do with „engineer feeling“. A prerequisite for the ability to judge is a basic understanding of gas turbine technique. Also important is the use and classification of information and literature from manufacturers and operators, to be gained in „small talk „ with professional colleagues or in conferences. External and internal training often presupposes a certain skill in terminology and basic knowledge. Such sources can impart important information, if one recognizes their value. Finally, a gas turbine operator should understand the „language“ of his colleagues and the technical field of the subject ( "Ill. 3.1-1" and "Ill. 3.1-2"), so as not to be treated as an outsider or to feel like one.
We therefore cannot avoid studying material on the subject. As this is somewhat dry and admittedly difficult, the author took upon himself the task of explaining and representing the technical background in such a manner as to awaken the practitioner’s interest. The scientific aspect was not emphasized, although pains were taken to avoid over simplification. The extent of this book does not permit every detail to be handled intensively enough. Though a wide spectrum of interesting effects and problems is represented.
By far more comprehensive and supplementary informations include the books (4 volumes in English) „Aircraft Turbine Engine Safety - Problem Oriented Technology for Professionals“ even so they deal with aero engines.
The following chapters contain a description of specific operation conditions and behavior of every module. Special chapters will deal with problems, their causes and appropriate hints for solutions. We begin with the compressor, go on to components in the direction of air flow, and end with a description of auxiliary aggregates as well as the periphery.
"Illustration 3.1-1": Reproducible and distinct data about the position of engine components in plants are of great importance ( "Ill. 3.1-2"). This will be evident with the following examples:
- Explanation of a problem. For example to enable the OEM analysis for specific remedies.
- Informations about spare parts.
- Correct execution of assembly directives and job preparation.
- Understanding of Maintenance and overhaul manuals and specifications.
For this reason generals were establihed for understandable identifications also in other culture areas and language regions. This includes the designation of a circumferencial position with the help of a pointer position comparable to a clock.
Important for the position and the rotation direction is the presumed line of sight. It must be clear and is normally directed to the front, respectively to the air inlet.
"Illustration 3.1-2": The axial position in a gas turbine follows rules. It complies with the position of the main components (modules) respectively its beginning (entrance, inlet) and end (exit). This is especially helpful for multi shaft engines with their complex structure.