Concepts NREC Re-Engineers VAROC Air Dynamometer with New Capabilities

Concepts NREC and Torquemeters recently launched the VAROC Air Dynamometer V85—an updated version of the variable-geometry radial outflow compressor typically used by the U.S. Military for testing turboshaft engines. The new testing tool offers a speed range up to 26,500 RPM, a power range up to 5,500 HP, and can traverse from low PP to maximum HP rating in 1 second or less.

With Concepts NREC’s in-house engineering, design, and manufacturing capabilities, the updated portable air brake now includes angle testing, a compact footprint, and lower cost. The new VAROC Air Dynamometer V85 is applicable for testing GE Aerospace’s T700 and T901 engines.

Military Impact

The U.S. Military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, have used the VAROC to test overhauled gas turbine engines for over 40 years, assessing safety and reliability on-base and in the field across all climates. This model is customizable for government, private, and commercial organizations that require the same portable quality and performance standards listed by the U.S. Military and the Swedish Navy.

V35 small engine testing house; image credit: Concepts NREC

Concepts NREC, U.S. Air Force

In early July 2024, AFWERX, a technology program of the U.S. Air Force, granted Concepts NREC a Direct-to-Phase II contract valued at $1,244,301. The company will develop an integrated cooling and secondary flow design system to address challenges within the Department of the Air Force.

To support U.S. National Security goals, Concepts NREC will introduce methods for the design, layout, and analysis of turbomachinery secondary flows under the guidance of aero-engine OEMs. Critical secondary flow systems will be designed and optimized to a maturity level similar to available primary flow paths. Concepts NREC will use its CAE turbomachinery design software as the basis for development and full integration. The end-product will be applicable to all turbomachinery classes and industries—both defense and non-defense.

AFWERX and the Air Force Research Laboratory are streamlining the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer by establishing faster proposal-to-award timelines. This expands the pool of potential applicants to include small businesses and removes bureaucratic overhead through continuous process improvements in contract execution.

Concepts NREC, MIT

In May 2024, Concepts NREC and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology collaborated to implement turbomachinery design, engineering, and analysis software tools into a new course titled “Advanced Manufacturing for Aerospace Engineers”, scheduled to debut fall 2024. The course is designed and will be taught by Dr. Zachary Cordero and Dr. Zoltán Spakovsky—it is a project-based subject that requires students to design, build, and test an electric turbopump for a notional rocket engine.

The Agile Engineering Design System and Advanced Rotating Machine Dynamics software tools will be used by instructors and students to design and develop components of a single-spool dual-impeller turbopump for assembly into a fully functional device. Through the labs’ iterative approach, students will apply concepts, principles, and processes with Concepts NREC’s software modeling tools, developing a complex, high-quality design with increased performance and precise modeling.