Page 16 - AAA SEPTEMBER - OCOTBER 2017 Online Magazine

FEATURE ENVIRONMENT

next generation of small / mid-size gas CROR programme was undertaken as part Additive Manufacturing
turbine engines “A new element in Clean Sky of the SAGE (Sustainable and Green Engine) Technologies
2 is a small air transport for general aviation ITD (Integrated Technology Demonstrator), A recent milestone with regards to additive
for the commuter side of the market. This is which is led by Safran Aircraft Engines. manufacturing (AM) was the development
an area where investment in new technology of a hinge fitting using AM technology by
is really at the heart of what might be at the Rolls-Royce UltfraFan The Manufacturing Technology Centre
future of aviation,” says Ron Van Manen, A vital component being developed for Rolls- (UK), with the support of ACITURRI Eng.
Clean Sky 2 Programme Manager. Talking Royce’s futuristic UltraFan engine, is its Power The newly developed part demonstrated
about an ultra-compact combuster being Gearbox, which has been developed by the up to a 40 percent reduction in weight, in
developed by Avio Aero for the programme, engine maker within Clean Sky 2’s Engines ITD. addition to a reduction in waste material of
he says, “The game changer is the use of The original design for the Power Gearbox was 90 percent in the first samples as compared
additive layer manufacturing and the next completed within Clean Sky. In September, to a conventional design. The part was
wave of digital capability (digitisation). Rolls-Royce announced that the gearbox had developed for use in the Clean Sky 2 Regional
This will reduce the mass of the engine by been successfully tested to handle 70,000 MultiMission Aircraft concept, which is being
reducing parts count.” The ultra-compact horsepower during testing. Future versions led by Airbus Defence and Space (CASA). The
combuster will become a key part of future of the gearbox will be able to handle 100,000 AM part will be flight tested on the Regional
small gas turbine aero engine that will horsepower. Testing of the first demonstrator Flight Test Bed 2 (FTB#2) demonstrator and
deliver a 15 percent reduction in specific fuel gearbox commenced in May and will now its fitment is a vital part for the Regional
consumption (SFC), lower total operating focus on lower power aspects such as Flight Test Bed 2 demonstrator. Some of the
costs by 10 percent and dramatically reduce endurance and reliability. The new UltraFan other technologies being developed for use
NOx emissions by 40 percent (2035). These high by-pass ratio engine family which will be on the demonstrator aircraft are; Innovative
numbers are planned to be achieved when available in 2025 is being developed to offer aero-devices (semi-morphing wing), cost-
the ultra-compact reverse flow combustor, is a fuel efficiency improvement of 25 percent affordable and reliable flight control system,
integrated into next-generation gas turbine over previous Rolls-Royce Trent engines. actuation systems towards more electrical
engines. Another engine architecture being The next generation aero engines will make aircraft and low weight structural technologies
developed as a technology demonstrator extensive use of Carbon Titanium (CTi) in the like composites out-of-autoclave.
under Clean Sky, is the Contra-Rotating fan blades, in addition to a composite casing
Open Rotor (CROR), which is to be ground for greater weight reduction. New heat BLADE is one of several important
tested by Safran in October. The ground test resistant ceramic matric composites (CMCs) research programmes being
undertaken as part of the €4 billion
of the pusher configuration open rotor was will also be developed to further improve Clean Sky 2 effort which will run
originally to have taken place in 2016. The engine efficiency. until 2024
16 ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2017 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/AAA