EAST HARTFORD , Conn., Aug. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pratt & Whitney has initiated performance testing of the fan drive gear system, a key elementof the next generation Geared Turbofan(TM) engine, at the company's new
"Initial testing of the fan drive gear system has gone flawlessly," said Bob Saia, vice president, Next Generation Product Family, Pratt & Whitney. "The fan drive gear system is what enables the Geared Turbofan engine to operate at optimum efficiency, delivering the environmental and economical benefits of this game-changing technology."
The dedicated gear system testing facility has unique capabilities to simulate in-flight conditions and operational characteristics. The gear system test rig is capable of handling up to 60,000 shaft horse power and simulating flight altitudes of up to 45,000 feet. The facility is also capable of creating operational loads to test performance limits of the gear system outside of specifications to validate durability.
The Geared Turbofan engine will deliver more than 12 percent reduction in fuel consumption and 40 percent less maintenance costs while producing half the noise and emissions of current-generation jet engines. The Geared Turbofan engine builds on more than 20 years of development and over US $1billion of technology investment. With full scale engine testing scheduled to begin later this year and flight testing in 2008, the Geared Turbofan(TM)engine will be ready for service as early as 2012.
The state-of-the-art fan drive gear system allows the fan to operate independent of the low-pressure compressor and turbine, resulting in greater engine fuel efficiency and a slower fan speed for less noise. The testing will validate the efficiency targets and durability of the gear system.
Pratt & Whitney has been rig testing other key technologies of the Geared Turbofan engine over the past two years. The company ran a scaled fan rig in 2006 and is currently testing the engine's high pressure compressor under an agreement with MTU Aero Engines in Germany. All test results show that the engine modules are performing as anticipated.
Pratt & Whitney has over 17,000 aircraft engines in service with hundreds of airlines throughout the world. Additionally, Pratt & Whitney is a leading partner in two joint venture companies that manufacture commercial aircraft engines: International Aero Engines, which makes the V2500 for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft, and the Engine Alliance, whose GP7200 engine is FAR 33 certified for the new Airbus A380.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.
SOURCE Pratt & Whitney
