Dr. Luis San Andrés, distinguished researcher and former Mast-Childs Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, continues to make waves in the field of turbomachinery. Alongside his talented research team of international engineers and former students, Dr. San Andrés has achieved an exceptional milestone: his 13th recognition from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) since 2003. His latest accolade is a Best Paper Award, presented by the Structures and Dynamics Committee at the 2024 ASME Turbo Expo this past June.
Since 2003, Dr. San Andrés has established himself as a leading authority in the field of rotordynamics and fluid film lubrication. “Dr. San Andrés research program on gas foil bearings is the one most cited in the archival literature. Analytical developments, accompanied by crafted experimental verification, have paved the way for multiple practical and commercial applications spanning secondary cryogenic turbopumps, air cycle machines, sCO2 compressors, oil-free turbocharges for ICE engines (in drones), motor-blowers for fuel cells, and lately HVAC equipment…” In the early 2000s, the research on gas bearings was funded by NSF and NASA Glenn Research Center. Later, the Turbomachinery Research Consortium (TRC), the US Army RL, and several original equipment manufacturers continued support for the long-term project. This latest award underscores the ongoing impact of Dr. San Andrés work on both academic understanding and industrial innovations.
The award-winning paper, now published in the ASME Journal of Gas Turbines and Power, stems from an international collaboration. Dr. San Andrés partnered with Professor Juan Jauregui and Engineering Doctoral Student Azael Duran-Castillo from the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Dr. Oscar de Santiago from ETU Mexico and Mr. Dan Lubell from Oil-Free Machinery, LLC USA. Both Dr. Santiago and Mr. Lubell are former students of the TEES Turbomachinery Laboratory.
Reflecting on the power of partnership, Azael Duran-Castillo emphasizes the collaboration’s impact on his research, “My internation collaboration with the Turbo Lab at Texas A&M, particularly working alongside Dr. Luis San Andres, significantly contributed to the success of my research. Dr. San Andrés’ extensive expertise in gas-bearing behavior, vibration, and turbomachinery enabled me to approach my research with deeper insight and a broader comparative perspective… this collaboration granted me invaluable access to experimental data and simulations, which improved both the precision and scope of my findings, ultimately enriching the overall quality of my research.”
Dan Lubell adds, “I would say that I am pleased and impressed with the technology that enables us to even work with such a diverse group of engineers in different countries. Of course, the Turbo Lab is to core, common element, that brought us together.”
The research, sponsored by the 2020 TAMY-CONACYT Research Program “Gas Bearing Implementation and Dynamic Evaluation in a Turbomachinery Application,” yielded significant results. The team developed an improved gas thrust foil bearing (GTFB) designed for mass production in oil-free blowers. Key achievements include a simplified assembly process and self-compensating design, which not only reduce production costs but improve performance consistency. This work contributes to the development of oil-free machines, advancing the potential for environmentally friendly and efficient high-speed machinery.
Regarding the real-world implementation of this design, Lubell provides an encouraging update: “The GTFB design that was tested has already been used in many fuel cell blowers and similar Oil-Free Machinery ® that we have developed with our customers. In fact, we are already another generation ahead of the tested thrust bearing in our customers’ serial production.”
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