The first optimised fabricated turbine rear frame for the new ANTLE technology engine has been delivered from Swedish engine maker Volvo Aero.
ANTLE stands for affordable, near term, low emission, and the new rear frame is 30% cheaper and 10% lighter than a current-technology frame.
Volvo Aero is a partner in the European efficient and environmentally friendly aero engine (EEFAE) demonstrator programme, costing a total of more than $118 million.
The purpose of EEFAE is to develop the advanced technologies needed to maintain European industry's competitive position as a supplier of advanced turbofan engines and engine components for the next generation of commercial jet aircraft.
Rolls-Royce is leading the short to medium term development. The ANTLE engine has a target of a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions and a reduction of NOx by 60%.
Volvo Aero is designing and developing the turbine rear frame and has developed an optimised fabrication concept with potential cost-cutting of 30% and weight by 10%. A very important part of this is extensive use of weld process modelling. Welding sequences and parameters were computer-optimised to minimise both distortion and residual stresses.
The first rear frame hardware from Volvo Aero was delivered last month (May) to Rolls-Royce for testing.
The CLEAN (Component vaLidator for Environmentally friendly Aero eNgine) group, studying options for narrow-body aircraft, headed by engine makers Snecma Moteurs and MTU, also includes several ANTLE members.
The overall goal of the CLEAN engine is to cut emissions by 20% for CO2 and a remarkable 80% for NOx and Volvo Aero is designing, developing and producing the turbine rear frame and LPT-case for CLEAN.
Source: Flight Daily News
