- #1
jmex
- 59
- 3
Hello,
I found this from junk. Can you tell me what this is?
I found this from junk. Can you tell me what this is?
What Is "Hello, I Found From Junk
- Thread starter jmex
- Start date
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around identifying a component found in junk and exploring its potential use in building a small jet engine, specifically focusing on the feasibility of utilizing a turbocharger's impeller and compressor.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant identifies the component as part of a turbocharger, specifically the "core" that compresses and expands air.
- Another participant suggests that it is possible to use the turbocharger design for a small jet engine, noting that amateur turbojets exist.
- Concerns are raised regarding the quality of the shaft bushing and the need for forced lubrication, as well as the importance of the rotor's outer casing for balancing forces on the center bearing.
- It is mentioned that the materials used for turbines may differ between diesel and gasoline engines, and that exhaust temperatures must be managed to prevent damage.
- A participant emphasizes the critical nature of engineering tolerances in building an efficient compressor, warning that poor tolerances could lead to air leakages and potential mechanical failure.
- In contrast, the performance of a turbine is described as degrading in a stable manner, making it less critical to design compared to compressors.
- A historical reference is made to a 1950s engine design featuring twin radial compressors, highlighting the complexity of the surrounding structure.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally agree on the identification of the component as part of a turbocharger and the potential for its use in jet engines. However, there are differing views on the challenges and requirements for successfully implementing the design, indicating that multiple competing views remain.
Contextual Notes
Participants express uncertainty regarding the specific engineering tolerances required and the implications of using different materials for turbines, as well as the necessity of the outer casing for effective operation.
Who May Find This Useful
Individuals interested in amateur jet engine design, turbocharger applications, and those exploring engineering challenges related to compressor and turbine functionality.
- #2
Q_Goest
Science Advisor
- 3,014
- 42
Turbocharger? One impeller compresses air, the other impeller expands it.
- #3
Bandit127
Gold Member
- 278
- 35
Yes, it is part of a turbocharger. Called the "core" it sits inside a housing that ducts the air.
- #4
jmex
- 59
- 3
thanks for your help. I am willing to use impeller and compressor in a jet engine out of it. Is it possible to use this existing design?
- #5
jmex
- 59
- 3
I mean a small one.
- #6
Baluncore
Science Advisor
2025 Award
- 16,949
- 10,535
Possibly yes, turbochargers are used to make amateur turbojets. There are many out there. Search the web for sites.
The problems you will have is the quality of the shaft bushing and the provision of forced lubrication. The shape of the outer case of the rotor balances the forces on the centre bearing. You will have to design for that axial pressure.
The material used for the turbines is often different for a diesel or a gasoline engine. You will need to keep your exhaust temperature cool enough, and with the right oxygen level to prevent corrosion or melting of the turbine.
The problems you will have is the quality of the shaft bushing and the provision of forced lubrication. The shape of the outer case of the rotor balances the forces on the centre bearing. You will have to design for that axial pressure.
The material used for the turbines is often different for a diesel or a gasoline engine. You will need to keep your exhaust temperature cool enough, and with the right oxygen level to prevent corrosion or melting of the turbine.
- #7
AlephZero
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
- 6,999
- 299
There are plenty of jet engine designs on the web that use a turbocharger as the compressor. But if you don't have the outer casing of the turbo as well as the rotor you showed in the pictures, that rather defeats the reason for using it, which is that building a small efficient compressor needs a "Swiss watchmaking" level engineering tolerances to be successful, otherwise air leakages between the rotor and casing will make it liable to stall and/or surge, or mechanically self-destruct if the rotor touches the casing at high RPM.
Making a turbine that is "good enough" for a working engine is much less critical. Unlike compressors, the performance of a badly designed or inefficient turbine usually degrades in a "stable" manner, rather than catastrophically.
Here's a cut-away "real world" engine from the 1950s with twin radial compressors. Note, most of the structure "in front of" the compressors (at the left of the picture) is the reduction gearbox to drive the aircraft propeller, not part of the engine itself.
Making a turbine that is "good enough" for a working engine is much less critical. Unlike compressors, the performance of a badly designed or inefficient turbine usually degrades in a "stable" manner, rather than catastrophically.
Here's a cut-away "real world" engine from the 1950s with twin radial compressors. Note, most of the structure "in front of" the compressors (at the left of the picture) is the reduction gearbox to drive the aircraft propeller, not part of the engine itself.
Last edited:
- #8
koolraj09
- 166
- 5
That's a very good picture! Thanks for sharing!
Similar threads
- · Replies 20 ·
- · Replies 7 ·
- · Replies 7 ·
- · Replies 13 ·
- · Replies 5 ·
- · Replies 7 ·