Geared turbofan

Geared turbofan
Geared turbofan. [1]: Fan. [2]: Gearbox.

The geared turbofan is a type of turbofan aircraft engine. Typical of this configuration are the long-established Honeywell TFE731, the Honeywell ALF 502/507, and the recent Pratt & Whitney PW1000G.

Technology

In a conventional turbofan, a single shaft (the "low-pressure" or LP shaft) connects the fan, the low-pressure compressor and the low-pressure turbine (a second concentric shaft connects the high-pressure compressor and high-pressure turbine). In this configuration, the maximum tip speed for the fan limits the rotational speed for the LP shaft and thus the LP compressor and turbine. At high bypass ratios (and thus high radius ratios) the tip speeds of the LP turbine and LP compressor must be relatively low, which means extra compressor and turbine stages are required to keep the average stage loadings and, therefore, overall component efficiencies to an acceptable level.

In a geared turbofan, a (planetary) reduction gearbox between the fan and the LP shaft allows the latter to run at a higher rotational speed thus enabling fewer stages to be used in both the LP turbine and the LP compressor, increasing efficiency and reducing weight. However, some energy will be lost as heat in the gear mechanism and weight saved on turbine and compressor stages is partly offset by the mass of the gearbox. There are manufacturing cost and reliability implications as well.

The lower fan speed allows higher bypass ratios, leading to reduced fuel consumption and much reduced noise. The Bae 146 is fitted with geared turbofans and is still one of the quietest commercial aircraft.[1] A large part of the noise reduction is due to reduced fan tip speeds. In conventional turbofans the fan tips exceed the speed of sound causing a characteristic drone, requiring sound deadening. Geared turbofans run the fan at low enough rpm to avoid supersonic tip speeds.[2]

Engines

An ALF 502, a geared turbofan, from a Bombardier Challenger 600


Tentatives

References

Notes
  1. ↑ http://www.technologyreview.com/news/421992/more-efficient-jet-engine-gets-in-gear/
  2. ↑ http://www.reddit.com/r/AskEngineers/comments/2acue3/in_a_commercial_aircraft_bypass_turbofan_do_the/
Bibliography
  • Connors, Jack (2010). The Engines of Pratt & Whitney: A Technical History. Reston. Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. ISBN 978-1-60086-711-8.
  • Francillon, René J. McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920. London: Putnam, 1979. ISBN 0-370-00050-1.
  • Gunston, Bill (2006). World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines, 5th Edition. Phoenix Mill, Gloucestershire, England, UK: Sutton Publishing Limited. ISBN 0-7509-4479-X.