Fan Trim Balance

Mike Lucas
ACES Systems/TEC Aviation Division
mike.lucas@acessystems.com
06/06/2011 #1
 Goals for this Seminar

Each attendee should

Understand Basic Vibration
Understand the Fundamentals of
Fan Trim Balancing
Understand Why Balancing is Beneficial
 Overview

What is vibration?
What are the effects of vibration?
How is vibration measured?
What are the options in reducing
vibration?
How is vibration analyzed when balancing?
 What is Vibration?

For the purpose of fan trim balance in a

Turbofan Engine, vibration can be
described as the unwanted, unproductive,
cyclic oscillation of the
fan assembly about its
rotational axis.
 REMEMBER...

All noise and/or vibration is not generated

by an imbalance in the fan.
To verify the vibration source, a vibration
survey should be conducted
and manufacturers
limitations adhered to.
 Examples of
Vibration-Related Complaints
Passenger complaints of noise in the cabin
Higher than normal EVM (Engine Vibration
Monitoring) system indications
Physical movement of airframe (buzz in the
seat, yoke, rudder pedals)
Malfunctioning or failed avionics
 What Are the Effects of
Vibration?
Vibration excites natural frequencies
causing significant vibration at the
components.
The expended energy from vibration
causes wear of components, reduced
performance, passenger discomfort and
reduced fuel economy.
How Is Vibration Measured?

Sensor Types
Sensor Engineering Units (EUs)
Characteristics of Different Sensor Types
Sensor Specifications
Sensor Mounting
 How Is Vibration Measured?

Sensor Types
Displacement - Measures physical
change of position.
Velocity - Measures the rate
of change of displacement with time.
Acceleration - Measures the
rate of change of velocity with time.
 How Is vibration measured?

Engineering Units

Mils (0.001 inches) - displacement

IPS (Inches Per Second) - velocity
gs (equivalent gravities) - acceleration
 How Is Vibration Measured?

Modifiers
Peak
Peak to Peak
Average
RMS
 How Is vibration measured?

Sensor Characteristics
Displacement Sensor
Measure change in position
Typically reported in mils Peak to Peak
More sensitive to low frequencies
Directly related to movements due to imbalance
Seldom used in balance. (However, displacement
units (Mils) are sometimes used)
 How Is Vibration Measured?

Sensor Characteristics
Velocimeters/Velometers
Measure velocity
Typically reported in IPS Peak
More sensitive to medium frequencies
Directly related to energy from imbalance
Often used in balance
 How Is Vibration Measured?

Sensor Characteristics
Accelerometers
Measure acceleration
Typically reported in gs
More sensitive to higher frequencies
Directly related to force caused by imbalance
Used in balancing (after conversion to velocity or
displacement)
 How Is vibration measured?

Sensor Characteristics
Specifications
Sensitivity (millivolts per Engineering Unit)
Temperature range
Physical size
Physical weight
Mounted resonance frequencies
Use manufacturer recommendations for engine
How Is Vibration Measured?
 How Is Vibration Measured?

Sensor Characteristics
Sensor Mounting
Use engine manufacturer recommended mount
Mount sensor per manufacturer instructions
 Options for Reducing
Vibration
Remove and replace the faulty component.
Repair the faulty component.
Use active cancellation systems.
Dynamically balance the fan.
 How Is Vibration Analyzed
A vibration sensor measures vibration in a given
direction.
The once per revolution tach signal provides a
timing reference from which the phase angle is
calculated.
The relationship between the two is used to
identify the magnitude of the vibration and the
phase angle or radial location of the heavy spot on
the fan.
 How Is Vibration Analyzed

The vibration sensor generates an

electrical signal as the heavy spot on
the fan passes its location and sends
the signal to the analyzer. The
analyzer measures its voltage, the
time of its occurrence and records
these in memory.
The reflective tape triggers a
response in the LASETACH as it
passes the optical laser beam. The
LASETACH then sends an electrical
signal to the analyzer. The time of
arrival is recorded in the analyzers
memory.
 How Is Vibration Analyzed
The vibration sensor and reflective
tape are installed on the engine.
The LASETACH is mounted up to 30
feet in front of the inlet and aimed
at the spinner where the tape is to
trigger the tach event. The mass
(heavy spot on the fan) is located by
relative occurrence of the tach event
(reflective tape passing in front of
laser beam) and mass passage at the
radial sensor location. In this slide,
the tach event is about to occur and
the vibration event is near zero
between the positive and negative
vibration events.
 How Is Vibration Analyzed
As rotation of the fan continues, the
mass is now located opposite the
vibration sensor. This is the point of
the maximum negative going peak in
the sine wave. From this point, the
mass will move back toward the zero
crossing (between negative and
positive) then upward toward the
sensor. This compresses the
piezoelectric element inside which
generates the voltage output. That
voltage is sent along the connecting
cable to the analyzer where it is
measured and converted to
engineering units (Mils, gs, IPS).
 How Is Vibration Analyzed

The mass is about to enter a point in

the rotation where the positive
upward movement begins in the
vibration event. The strength of the
electrical signal increases from this
point and peaks as the mass reaches
the sensor location.
 How Is Vibration Analyzed

In this slide the mass, or heavy spot

on the fan, is approaching the
position of the vibration sensor.
Notice that the reflective tape (now
at the 3:00 position) has traveled
270 degrees since the tach event.
The maximum amplitude of the
vibration, as measured by the
vibration sensor occurs here.
 Fundamentals of Balancing

Overview
What information is required
How the data is collected
How the balance solution is computed
How the balance weight is installed
 Fundamentals of Balancing

What information is required?

Engine speed(s) for balancing
The vibration amplitude for each speed
The angular reference (phase) of the vibration
for each speed
Influence on the fan of weight addition for
each speed
 Fundamentals of Balancing

How to select balance speeds.

Use Manufacturers Recommended Speeds
Use Speed of the complaint
Use Vibration Survey to Select Speed(s)
 Fundamentals of Balance
What is an Influence?
A ratio of how much weight is required to
counter a measured out of balance condition
Typical units are (grams/IPS) with a phase lag
It is used to compute a balance solution
It can be estimated for the first run
It should be refined on subsequent runs from
actual vibration measurements
 Fundamentals of Balance

How is the required data collected?

Install vibration sensor
Install speed sensor
Run aircraft
Collect average magnitude and phase data for
each speed and sensor of interest
 Fundamentals of Balance
How is balance solution calculated?
The balancer calculates a solution based on the vibration
magnitude and phase data collected for each speed
It presents the solution to the user, such as Place 2
Grams of weight at 90 degrees or Install a -2 weight in
hole number 2
Install/record the weight added and its location
Run the engine again to verify predicted results
Refine solution if necessary
 Fundamentals of Balance

How is the solution refined?

Actual vibration changes and weight additions are used to
compute a more accurate estimate of the influence at
each speed
This recomputed accurate influence is used to estimate
a new balance weight
Balancer should record actual weights added
Influence should be further refined on each additional
run
 Fundamentals of Balance

Notes on calculated solutions

All turbine fans are different!
Sophisticated balance equipment adjusts for these
differences after the first weight placement
Vibration will not always go down with the first weight
placement
If the vibration is not reduced by the second adjustment,
check mechanical condition and/or balance process
 Fundamentals of Balance

How are the balance weights installed?

On first run, place closest weight in closest hole
On later runs, split weights between holes for more
accurate solution
If removing the spinner, index it so it can be reinstalled in
the same location and orientation
Beware of different length bolts used in weight
placement or spinner attachment
Use the engine manufacturers instructions
 Fundamentals of Balance

Where to place the weights

NOTE:
If your balancing equipment gives you specific
bolt or hole locations and class weight
information for addition of trim weights,
these steps are not necessary.
 Fundamentals of Balance
Where to place the weights

1. Index the fan back to the

point where the tach event
occurs. (0 or 360 degrees)
2. Rotate the fan assembly,
in the direction of rotation,
the number of degrees
specified in the balance
solution. The location for
the weight is now adjacent
to the vibration sensor.
 Fundamentals of Balance

How is weight split between holes?

Compute weights between holes so that the
total effective weight is the same as the
desired weight
If class weights (a fixed set of available
weights are used on the engine), use an
optimizing algorithm to select the best weight
combination to approximate the desired
weight.
 Fundamentals of Balance

Summary of Steps:
Install vibration sensor
Install the once per revolution tachometer
Perform a vibration survey and verify balance necessary
Remove any existing trim balance weights
Collect magnitude and phase data for each speed of
interest
Compute weight necessary for balance
 Fundamentals of Balance

Summary of Steps: (continued)

Convert the solution into a class weight for the required
weight and to a bolt or hole number for the angle.
Present the solution to user as Place -2 weight at
hole #3" for instance
Ask user for the actual weights installed
Run the engine again and collect vibration data.
 Fundamentals of Balance

Summary of Steps: (continued)

Verify predicted results.
If acceptable, balance job is complete
If not, compute refined estimate of the influence
and continue the process at computing weight
 Why Is Balancing Beneficial?

Reduces vibration and noise induced stress on crew

and passengers.
Airframe, avionics, and engine systems sustain less
damage. Useful life is extended.
Operational efficiency is increased because the
energy previously used to generate noise and
vibration is now used to generate thrust.
 Review
Vibration
What is vibration
Examples of vibration and related
complaints
Effects of vibration
How vibration is measured
How vibration is analyzed for balancing
 Review
Why is Balancing Beneficial
Reduces vibration and noise induced stress
on crew and passengers.
Airframe, avionics, and engine systems
sustain less damage. Useful life is
extended.
Operational efficiency is increased because
the energy previously used to generate
noise and vibration is now used to
generate thrust.
 Conclusion

If youve already bought additional

insulation for your company jet to reduce
noise, you didnt get what you paid for.
For much less money and time a Fan Trim
Balance is the best choice for a quiet
smooth engine.
Questions?

06/06/2011 #45
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1-865-671-2003
support@acessystems.com
Thank You!