Dry Lift Testing: Resources for Turboshaft Fuel Pumps

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the topic of dry lift testing for turboshaft fuel pumps, particularly in the context of military helicopter applications. Participants seek to gather information and resources to develop good practices guidelines related to this testing methodology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests information on dry lift testing for turboshaft fuel pumps to create guidelines.
  • Another participant expresses unfamiliarity with the term "dry lift" and asks for clarification on the setup and testing requirements.
  • A participant provides a definition of dry lift, explaining that it refers to a pump that must pull its inlet without a flooded inlet.
  • References to The Pump Handbook and an SAE specification are suggested as potential resources for understanding test procedures.
  • A participant describes the design considerations for fuel pumps in military helicopters, emphasizing the need for suction to prevent fuel spraying in case of battle damage.
  • Another participant shares their experience with a different aircraft that has boost pumps, indicating a variation in design and testing considerations.
  • One participant suggests posting the question on an engineering tips forum for additional insights from industry experts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on specific testing standards or practices, and multiple viewpoints regarding the necessity and implementation of dry lift testing remain present.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the specific definitions and standards for dry lift testing, as well as the absence of detailed aerospace standards mentioned by participants.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals involved in aerospace engineering, particularly those focused on fuel pump design and testing for military applications, may find this discussion relevant.

robsmith82
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Can anyone point in the direction of any information on dry lift testing for turboshaft fuel pumps? I need to write a good practices guideline for this and need to find as much info as I can.

Thanks.
 
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I'm not a hard core pump guru for sure, but I can't say that I am familiar with the term of "dry lift." Can you describe your set up a bit better and what exactly you are looking for in the test? Perhaps it is better known by another term.

EDIT: I did some looking around and found it. The term refers to a pump that has to pull its inlet. It does not have a flooded inlet.

I would suggest you look at The Pump Handbook by Karassik, Krutzsch, Frasier and Messina. It has a good chapter on test procedures.

Also, see if you can get a hold of this SAE spec:
http://www.sae.org/servlets/aerostd...RP4280&inputPage=wIpSdOcDeTaIlS&comtID=TEAAE5
 
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Ok I'd better give some background. When designing a fuel pump for military helicopter applications, you have to take into account that there is no boost pump at the fuel tank, as this would leave a pressurised line running up the side of the cockpit which could be a big fire hazard if subjected to battle damage. To combat this, the line needs to be under suction so fuel will not spray out. This is done by having the displacement side of the pump self prime, that is, pumping the air through and drawing the fuel into the pump from the fuel tank at the bottom of the helicopter. The pumps ability to do this is called its dry lift performance.
 
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Once I saw what the definition of dry lift was, I knew exactly what was going on. It makes perfect sense. Although, in my aircraft (CH-47s) we had the luxury of having boost pumps in the tanks.

I did a quick search of my references and I couldn't find anything specific in terms of existing aerospace standards. You may want to also post this question on engineering tips. They have a specific pump forum with some very knowledgeable guys in the pump industry:

http://www.eng-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=407
 

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