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  PhD Studentship in Development of a vibration management concept for gas turbine engines


   Department of Mechanical Engineering

  Dr C Schwingshackl  Applications accepted all year round  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

About the Project

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of future aeroengine technology, leading to the award of a PhD degree. The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate) provided by the EPSRC, with a generous bursary top-up from industrial funds. EPSRC candidates should fulfil the eligibility criteria for the award. 

The design of efficient and safe next generation gas turbines requires among other things a reliable control of rotor vibrations to prevent a rapid loss of structural integrity during operation. Future engine designs require novel vibration management concepts that can replace conventional rotor damping solutions, such as squeeze film dampers (SFDs). This PhD research aims to deliver such a novel vibration management mechanism that shall be scalable, weight efficient and capable of operating across a wide frequency and load ranges (from normal vibration to extreme fan-blade-off loads) in a safety critical aerospace environment. The aim thereby is to research different potential energy absorption approaches (eg. the use of structural non-linearity, smart materials, topology optimisation, …), evaluate their potential with respect to shaft damping in turbo machinery, provide the physical understanding and numerical tools to analyse, predict, select, optimise and design a novel shaft damping solution, and demonstrate the designs feasibility with a simple proof of concept setup on a laboratory rig. The student will be a member of a Vibration UTC, funded by Rolls-Royce 35 years ago with a long demonstrable history of delivering state of the art research and producing world-class specialists both for industry and academia. The candidate will have the opportunity to an internship at Rolls-Royce during their PhD.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st class honours degree in mechanical engineering or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in numerical and experimental dynamic techniques is essential.  Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.

To find out more about this PhD opportunity, go to:

https://youtu.be/KasvTVxkWPc

To find out more about research at Imperial College London in this area, go to:

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/research/

or https://www.imperial.ac.uk/dynamics/research/structural-dynamics/

For information on how to apply, go to:

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/study/phd/how-to-apply/

For further details of the post contact Dr Christoph Schwingshackl .  Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Schwingshackl. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

Closing date: until post filled

Engineering (12)

Funding Notes

The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate) provided by the EPSRC, with a generous bursary top-up from industrial funds. EPSRC candidates should fulfil the eligibility criteria for the award.
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