Task

Sealing technologies make an important contribution to the efficiency of turbomachinery. Narrow sealing gaps between rotating and stationary parts of the machine are essential to ensure the lowest possible leakage mass flows, but can lead to rubbing processes in axial and radial directions due to thermal and mechanical expansion of various parts. In order to investigate these rubbing processes, for example with regard to the resulting frictional heat, a rub test rig was designed and built at ITS, with which the radial rub of labyrinth seals can be investigated. Now the possibilities of the rig are to be extended so that other types of seals can be investigated in the axial direction - the ITS team is looking for support for this.The HiWi activity can be varied, but potentially includes the following tasks:

• Optimisation of a 2D laser scan setup
• Optimisation of the image post-processing of a 2D laser scan
• Testing the air bearing stiffness of adaptive seals
• CFD of the air bearing stiffness of adaptive seals
• Testing an alignment system on the test rig

The successful candidate should enjoy and be interested in experimental and numerical scientific work. Previous experience in working with CAD programs and/or CFD programs such as Ansys Fluent would be of advantage.