Enabling low spool technologies for future high-bypass ratio engines

摘要

In 1998, MTU and Pratt&Whitney announced their intention to develop the PW8000, a geared turbofan family of engines for use with medium- and long-range civil transports. The PW8000 concept, developed and matured over the past two decades, decouples fan and low spool and may offer a number of distinctive performance advantages over today's conventional direct-drive turbofans. A high-speed low spool is a prerequisite for geared high bypass ratio turbofans. Beginning in the second half of the 1980s MTU has continuously advanced the state of the art in high-speed low-spool technology for use in future high bypass ratio turbofans. Today, these technologies have reached a level of maturity that allows their rapid transition into a dedicated engine development program. This paper gives a comprehensive overview over the research and technology development programs that have allowed MTU to position itself as a world leader in high-speed low-spool technology.