Bowed rotor

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 387
Likes: 8
From: UK
The bow is the result of thermal convection within the case - warmer air rises to the top. If one were to "tickle" the starter for a few seconds, some xx minutes after shutdown, it would stir up the air and randomize the rotor positions, thus causing the bowing to be somewhat reversed.
You often see engines windmilling whilst the aircraft is on the stand. That's probably not quite going to achieve the desired result; the auxiliaries must stop the one of the shafts turning, leaving it to soak in the heat.



Joined: Jul 2013
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 5,682
Likes: 3,347
From: Everett, WA
I'm guessing a small motor on the engine gearbox would be capable of turning the HP shaft, problem is it would have to turn the fuel pump, oil pumps, hydraulic pump(s) etc. This small motor is suddenly getting bigger.
More critical is the one way clutch - otherwise that little motor would be going a zillion rpm at redline N2..





