FARNBOROUGH: Pratt & Whitney unveils new turbo fan technology

Pratt & Whitney unveiled plans at Farnborough to introduce a geared turbo fan engine to the regional and business jet aircraft market. Called the Advanced Technology Fan Integrator (ATFI), the program is the result of approximately $700 million worth of research and development that began in the late 1980s.

According to Pratt & Whitney, a reduction gearbox between the engine's turbine and its fan reduces the speed at which the fan turns while allowing the turbine to remain at high speed. In this way the turbine maintains its full efficiency while the fan turns at its slower optimum speed. The fan, which provides most of the thrust in a modern jet engine, retains maximum efficiency with very low noise levels. This results in an engine that needs fewer turbine and compressor stages, meaning fewer parts.

It will also mean, according to Pratt & Whitney, engines that are quieter and more fuel efficient than those currently in use. Partnering with Pratt & Whitney on the project are Ford and MTU.

Pratt & Whitney said it expects to have a 12,000 pound thrust ATFI demonstrator running sometime in the first quarter of 2001, followed shortly by the first flight of a full-blown test bed. If all goes well, a full family of geared turbo fans in the 10,000 to 19,000 pound thrust range could be available as early as 36 months after the program is launched.

Edited by Bruce A. Bennett
Aerospace Online