A simulation technique for integrating facility and engine system models

A simulation technique for integrating facility and engine system models is presented. Ground level test facility simulations are currently conducted with a very elementary representation of the test article. In most cases, the test article is treated as a "black box", in which simple parametric curves define the unit's output based on the given input. For example, in a turbine engine test facility model, the turbine engine is represented as an exhaust total pressure and temperature for a given inlet pressure and temperature and throttle angle. The simulation technique presented here integrates a component level model of a gas turbine engine with a facility model. The Navy Large Engine Environmental Test Facility was modeled in a graphical simulation environment called Dynamic System Simulation Software (SIMULINK^®), into which was integrated a dynamic gas turbine engine model called the Advanced Turbine Engine Simulation Technique (ATEST). The results of the integration and coupling of two dynamic system models proved the feasibility of eventually developing a complete test facility-test article dynamic simulation and performance model.