Geoff Thomas
The Pratt & Whitney PW6000 engine which is now in development will have more Hamilton Sundstrand content than any other engine to date, the newly merged company announced at Le Bourget yesterday.
This major step-forward for Hamilton Sundstrand means that it has moved closer to its goal of becoming a complete engine external accessories supplier to the major manufacturers.
Hamilton Sundstrand's components on the PW6000 include the full authority digital engine control (FADEC), fuel metering unit, flow divider valve, stator vane actuator, bleed vane actuator, air/oil cooling valve, turbine case cooling system, engine start system and the accessory gearbox module which in turn incorporates the main fuel pump, lube and scavenge pump, the gearbox and oil tank assembly.
The fully-assembled and tested gearbox module offers reduced assembly time and 15min line replaceable unit (LRU) installation and removal.
Challenge
These LRUs will play a key role in assuring that the PW6000 meets the challenge of delivering reliable, maintainable and affordable power, says Hamilton Sundstrand's Joe Triompo, the company's vice-president engine controls and accessories.
"The engine's FADEC incorporates advances in fault isolation capability. By identifying the specific cause of a fault, the engine control will make it possible better to pinpoint the unit to be removed for service.
"Product development for our supplied items has been the most aggressive ever. Detailed design of the components began last September, only 10 months before engine testing.
"This accelerated timetable supports P&W's objective of significantly reducing engine development cycle times."
The PW6000 will be capable of giving up to 23,000lb (100kN) on thrust and its initial application will be on the Airbus A318, for which certification is planned in August 2002.
Source: Flight Daily News
