Development of a turbo rotary engine turbine vane mechanism using composite and ceramic materials

In this study, to decrease the clearance between the vane guide and the vane of a turbo rotary engine, composite and ceramic materials had thermally and tribologically been tested. Vane mechanism used as reference engine, could not be worked at the lower clearance (<10?m) with the vane channel made of the GGG 70 material and the vane made of AISI M2. Vane mechanism could have worked with 50 ?m clearance. This situation caused the pressure leakage from the turbine vane mechanism. Composite and ceramic materials were determined to minimize the pressure leakage and to increase the torque and power values obtained to the reference turbo rotary engine turbine vane mechanism. The results of engine tests were, the vane mechanism made of Al2O3 had the best engine torque and power values at the low speeds, but at the high speeds the vane mechanism made of WC-Co had the best engine torque and power values. The results obtained from the engine tests with material properties were examined to develop the material selection model for the turbo rotary engine turbine vane mechanism.