Cate's Research-Investigation Bureau

This article does not specifically cover individual filtration units but is a collection of features across several T-80 engine variants. Since 1976, almost all T-80 variants came standard with gas turbine engines. Early T-80 variants utilized the GTD-1000T, the T-80B and its subsequent variants fielded the GTD-1000TF and the later production models of the T-80U used the GTD-1250. With each iteration, the HP (kW) increased to 1000 HP (745kW), 1100HP (820kW) and 1250HP (919kW).  The T-80 uses a monoblock-style engine d eveloped in the 1970s by VNIITransmash "Предприятие п.я. А-7701" , which means the engine block is mounted together with the air filtration system and other vital components. The air filtration unit is made of several parts assembled into a monoblock. The air filtration unit consists of 2 cyclone batteries, 2 oil cooling radiators and 2 cooling ventilators. The 2 batteries contain cyclone filters. There are 14 cyclone filters arranged in a 2x7 pattern on each b...

This article is the first part of a set of articles covering the engineering and methodology used to create the T-80s filtration system alongside aerodynamics to reduce airflow dust/sand contamination.  The T-80 MBT has been fielded in many climate regions. Desert climates pose a variety of variables that directly impact dust presence in the engine air filtration system. Variables include wind speed and direction,  vehicle speed,  depth and soil composition, air intake system design, and contours of the hull and turret.    Historical background:  Long-term trials were conducted in the southern Kara-Kum desert. It was determined that during  1970-1983, the quantity of dust present in the engine filtration system increased due to climate changes and weaker upper soil layers.   During the 1970s to 1980s, the Turkmen Canal underwent Soviet industrialization to build an irrigation canal and other facilities. This build-up of new infras...