Pratt & Whitney Canada plans to run an experimental gas generator for its proposed PW6XX small-engine family by the end of the year. The test is linked to design details for turbofan, turboprop and turboshaft derivatives being finalised.
The PW6XX initiative is aimed at new general aviation and light business jet concepts under study. The initial PW6XX turbofan will cover the 1,000-2,000lb thrust (4.5-9kN) range and is expected to weigh 160-180kg (350-400lb). The turboprop and turboshaft versions, rated at 450-670kW (600-900shp), will be similarly sized and are expected to weigh 135-160kg.
The low-cost PW6XX emphasises high reliability, which P&WC hopes to achieve by reducing the number of parts and introducing new manufacturing techniques which will cut production costs. Technology for the engine is under test in several programmes, says the engine maker, which is conducting parallel market studies. "Detailed design will start by the end of 2000," says president Dave Caplan.
The baseline turbofan, although not fully defined, has a 4:1 bypass ratio and a simple five-stage configuration. P&WC says fan study configurations include rugged conventional designs and more expensive wide-chord versions. Another feature is counter-rotating low and high pressure shafts to reduce the need for de-swirl stator stages. Each shaft will support single low-pressure compressor and turbine stages, as well as a single high pressure turbine stage.
Source: Flight International
