(19 July 2022, 10:17 +07)
Rolls-Royce has entered the final build phase
of the world’s largest aero-engine technology demonstrator, UltraFan.
The demonstrator engine, with a fan diameter of
140 inches, is being completed at Rolls-Royce's facility in Derby,
England, prior
to its first run – on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel – later this
year.
The engine offers a 25% fuel efficiency improvement compared with
the first generation of Trent engine.
UltraFan offers a 25% fuel efficiency improvement compared with the first generation of Trent engines
UltraFan supports a variety of sustainability
solutions. In the nearer term, there are options to transfer
technologies from the UltraFan development programme to current
Trent engines to deliver even greater fuel efficiency and
reductions in emissions.
In the longer term, UltraFan’s scalable technology
from 25,000-100,000lb of thrust offers the potential to power new narrowbody and widebody aircraft anticipated in the 2030s.
UltraFan also provides a platform for the use of a
diverse range of energy options and power systems – including
current jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel as well as future
potential for hybrid-electric and hydrogen.
“This programme is a significant investment in the
future and I am delighted that the UK’s Aerospace Technology
Institute and Innovate UK, Germany’s LuFo and the EU’s Clean Sky
programmes have all recognised the benefits of UltraFan and
provided their support,” said Chris Cholerton, President – Civil Aerospace,
Rolls-Royce.
Key engineering features of the engine include:
- A new, proven, Advance3 core architecture,
combined with our ALECSys lean burn combustion system, to deliver
maximum fuel burn efficiency and low emissions;
- Carbon titanium fan blades and a composite
casing;
- Advanced ceramic matrix composite (CMC)
components that operate more effectively at high pressures and
temperatures;
- A geared design that delivers efficient power
for the high-thrust, high bypass ratio engines of the future. The
power gearbox has run at 64MW, an aerospace record; and
- When UltraFan is on test at Rolls-Royce’s new £90m
Testbed 80 facility, data can be taken from more than 10,000
parameters, detecting the tiniest of vibrations at a rate of up to
200,000 samples per second.
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