Acceleration Performance Analysis of a Gas Turbine Destroyer Escort

Abstract

The dynamic acceleration performance of a single screw destroyer escort driven by two FT4A-2 gas turbine engines through a reversing reduction gear was analyzed. The analysis was carried out on a digital computer using a new method of a second modified advance coefficient to represent propeller thrust and torque coefficients. Quantitative results for all the major ship and propulsion plant parameters are given for the ship in a calm sea with no turning motions during fuel scheduled acceleration in the base and base-plus-boost operating modes. Control of fuel flow rates using fuel ramps with varying time bases was found to be effective in limiting engine overtorque conditions during acceleration. Other conclusions on transient thrust, acceleration time, and head reach are also presented.