Goodrich has been selected by Boeing to supply the nacelles and thrust reversers for the General Electric GENX and Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines for the 7E7 in a deal worth around $4 billion - the largest contract it has ever won.
Goodrich plans to keep development of the two nacelle and reverser systems "in parallel as much as possible" says Dave Castagnola, vice-president Boeing commercial business for the company's Chula Vista, California-based Aerostructures unit which will lead the design and manufacturing work. "Although we will have as much commonality between the two as we can, they will be different because the engines are of two very different configurations," he adds.
Big design drivers include the different gearbox locations for the two engines, the GENX having a core-mounted unit and the Trent 1000 a case-mounted gearbox. The two also have slightly different fan diameters, which will affect overall "loft lines", adds product development vice-president Jeff Rogers.
Initial work will be undertaken by Goodrich as part of an integrated design team including Boeing and the two engine makers. However, "once a launch customer is named and an engine selection made we will put one application in front of the other", says Rogers. Goodrich plans to employ a lean product development concept for the two nacelles that will mate to the 7E7 wing through a common wing/pylon attachment. "It's radically different to anything we've done before," says Castagnola.
"There are opportunities for innovation in the arrangement and architecture of the nacelle," says Rogers, who adds that "split lines and interfaces will look different". The design will include advanced composite materials and will "stay on the theme of the more-electric engine", with features such as an electric de-ice system being studied for possible inclusion.
Goodrich is also to supply the 7E7 fuel quantity indicating system and fuel management software.
GUY NORRIS / LOS ANGELES
Source: Flight International
