HOT DYNAMIC TEST RIG FOR MEASURING HYPERSONIC ENGINE SEAL FLOW AND DURABILITY

A test fixture for measuring the dynamic performance of candidate high -temperature engine seal concepts has been developed and installed at NASA Lewis Research Center. Th, test fixture has been developed to eva luate seal concepts under development for advanced hypersonic engines, such as those being considered for the National Aerospace Plane. The fixture can measure dynamic seal leakage performance from room tempera ture up to 840-degrees-C (1550-degrees-F), and air pressure differenti als up to 0.7 MPa (100 psi). Performance of the seals can be measured while sealing against flat or engine-simulated distorted walls. In the fixture two seals are preloaded against the sides of a 0.3-m- (1-ft-) long saber that slides transverse to the axis of the seals, simulatin g the scrubbing motion anticipated in these engines. This report cover s the capabilities of this text fixture along with preliminary data sh owing the dependence of seal leakage performance on high-temperature c ycling.