Performance Analysis of a Turbo-Type Energy Absorber for an Aircraft Carrier Arresting Gear

摘要

The increasing weight and speed of carrier based aircraft are taxing the limit of conventional piston type energy absorbers which are used for arresting gear. Turbo-type absorbers have been proposed as an alternative. This study investigates a turbo-type energy absorber for an aircraft arresting gear under development by the Naval Air Engineering Center. A mathematical analysis, computer simulation and performance prediction are given for each mode of operation. It was initially expected that the absorber could operate in just two modes, forward and reverse, but the analysis shows that four distinct modes are possible, since not only shaft rotation but the path of fluid flow can be reversed. Theoretical performance predictions are also compared with test data from an existing smaller scale version of the absorber. The agreement is excellent. An approximation of scaling effects on power absorption is also presented. It is concluded that the turbo-type absorber is basically adequate to meet the demands of carrier operation for the forseeable future. (Author)