Reliability improvement of modern aircraft engine through failure modes and effects analysis of rotor support system

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this analysis was to attempt to improve the reliability of a rotor support system of a modern aircraft engine.

Design/methodology/approach

The process used for carrying out FMEA is specified by MIL‐STD‐1629A procedure for carrying out failure mode, effects and criticality analysis.

Findings

In increasing demand in the avionics sector, particularly in modern defence and civil aircraft, safety and reliability are the prime concerns to complete the mission successfully. Technocrats are made to rethink the safety of complete systems by adding redundancy to the critical activities. A rotor support system (RSS) is an integral part of a gas turbine engine used in any aircraft. As its name implies, the rotor support system shares the load of the rotating component of an engine, hence the rotor support system plays a vital role in any aircraft engine. It shares the load of compressor rotor and stator, turbine rotor and stator, inter‐casing, and exhaust system of a gas turbine engine. Any failure in such a system may make the entire aircraft fail. Therefore it is worth carrying out Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) on such a critical system. FMEA is one of the effective reliability assessment tools, which evaluate systematically and document the potential failure modes of a system or equipment and their causes. It helps in grading the severity of all potential failure modes and is useful in carrying out the changes in the early phase of design. The analysis starts with the potential failure of the smallest component at the final indenture and goes up to the initial indenture level.

Originality/value

The paper adds insight into the reliability improvement of the rotor support system of modern aircraft.

Citation

Sharma, V., Kumari, M. and Kumar, S. (2011), "Reliability improvement of modern aircraft engine through failure modes and effects analysis of rotor support system", International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 28 No. 6, pp. 675-687. https://doi.org/10.1108/02656711111141229