Its initial objective is to reduce the noise of the reactors, but many types of tests can be carried out
NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate reported that it is testing a small-scale operational jet engine named the DGEN380 Aero-Propulsion Research Turbofan (DART), which could make aviation more sustainable.
In the soundproof chamber of the Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, the level of noise produced by the engine is investigated, in addition to keeping the volume low outside.
On the modestly equipped test bench, researchers and engineers can test newly designed engine components less expensively compared to using a full-scale jet engine test bench.
The DGEN380 Aero-Propulsion Research Turbofan is small enough to fit on a kitchen table, measuring just 1.3 meters long. That’s about half the length of engines used in single-aisle aircraft.
DART, not to be confused with NASA’s asteroid redirection mission of the same name, allows the agency to boost its research in sustainable aviation technology due to its accessibility.
A hidden gem located inside the Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, the DART engine was manufactured by a French company called Price Induction (now Akira) and was acquired by NASA in 2017.
“DART’s small size makes it attractive. “It is a great way to explore new technologies that have not yet reached the level of a full-scale operation,” said Dan Sutliff, research coordinator for the engine at NASA Glenn.
So far it has helped researchers learn more about incorporating materials that can help reduce engine noise. These technologies could be incorporated for use in next-generation airliners to make them quieter.
NASA researchers plan to use the DART engine to investigate ideas that could help develop ultra-efficient airliners for use during the 2030s and beyond. If all goes well, the technology could proceed to more extensive testing involving larger facilities like NASA’s wind tunnels.
“DART is a critical bridge between design and wind tunnel testing. Technologies that work well here have a higher chance of achieving successful inclusion in future aircraft engines. “The testbed helps NASA save resources and help protect our environment,” Sutliff added.
DART testing is conducted from the Mobile Control Unit, a large van converted into a high-tech control facility with video monitors reporting live engine data.
Among its features, DART has a high bypass ratio, which is a measure of how much air passes through the turbofan and around the engine’s main core rather than into it. Having a high bypass ratio means that DART is more characteristic of high bypass ratio engines in commercial aircraft.
This design is more fuel efficient than other jet engines and makes DART ideal for testing new propulsion methods in conjunction with NASA’s efforts to develop a fuel-efficient, small core jet engine for commercial airliners in the 2030s.
The DART engine can also test many other aspects of a jet engine, including engine noise, operating controls, coatings used to protect engine parts, sensors and other instruments, and much more.
