The Testing and Approval of Aircraft Engine Mounted Accessories

Abstract

Vibration measurements on gas turbine engines are normally made using accelerometers. The environment to which engine accessories would be subject has been evaluated by comparing ‘g’ peaks in the frequency spectrum, individually, with empirical yardsticks of severity. Endurance approval testing of accessories to withstand the environment so characterized is normally conducted by applying unidirectional single frequency excitation to simulate engine conditions at a particular shaft speed. These procedures have proved inadequate in predicting failure or verifying corrective measures where accessory problems due to wear phenomena are concerned.

This paper analyses reasons for this inadequacy in terms of measurement practice, engine severity assessment, environmental simulation and approval procedures. By recognizing the effect of multi-frequency vibration in three planes it further aims to provide a unified approach to accessory design and development by which service accessory reliability might be improved. Although at first sight more expensive, the approach described will in many cases reduce to previous practice. In cases where greater test expenditure is necessary, loopholes will have been plugged by which many expensive service problems previously escaped.