GE Aerospace reports recent progress in the development of its compact engine core technology for commercial aircraft: Over 3,000 endurance-test cycles have been completed on high-pressure turbine (HPT) airfoil technologies, to demonstrate greater durability and fuel efficiency than conventional turbine designs.
The HPT airfoil tests are aimed at simulating high-thrust takeoff and climb, to see how engine components withstand anticipated flight conditions. The compact engine core is one part of the CFM Rise initiative by GE joint venture CFM International, which is targeting +20% fuel burn and improved durability and reliability over current engine technologies.
CFM Rise aims to have an engine core demonstrator ready later this decade. Previously, the developers focused on validating thermal, mechanical, and system performance of the HPT hardware.
In addition to the compact core, CFM is evaluating other engine architectures like Open Fan and hybrid electric systems, as well as alternative jet fuels.
“With endurance tests conducted on new high-pressure turbine blade cooling technologies, it shows the CFM Rise program’s early focus on durability and reliability. This is the earliest in new technology development that we’ve done durability tests, incorporating the experience of our commercial aircraft engines flying today,” said Arjan Hegeman, vice president of future of flight engineering for GE Aerospace.
Upcoming tests will evaluate the compact core’s “dust ingestion,” to evaluate how turbine blades located in the engine’s hottest section behave in severe environments.
