Jet Engine Test Cell

The Jet Engine Test Cell is one of many test cells built and tested at the AARL. When a jet engine is down for overhaul or major maintenance, it is convenient to have the engine repairs done indoors in a test cell. The test cell must deliver smooth air into the engine and exhaust the high temperature flow out the back. To assure this flow path to the engine during the operation does not have distortions or vortices at the inlet and exit patterns, test cells can be modeled and scale jet engine simulations used.

Ohio State researchers pioneered test cell systems during the past 25 years. A major factor is that jet engines are simulated by high pressure ejectors, not air driven turbines. Simulators, at present available for all engines in the GE Aviation inventory, provide the scaled thrust at the scaled air flow rate while the test conditions in the test cell, pressure, and inlet velocities are monitored. Engine simulations and test cells are all built to a 1" to 1 ft. scale. Maximum scale thrust tested is above 100,000 pounds.