GEnx Engine Reaches 3,500 Flawless Ground Starts
The GEnx engine has achieved 3,500 flawless ground starts using variable frequency starter generators from Hamilton Sundstrand. These tests helped validate the new starter generator as well as the all-electric Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
“We have conducted extensive testing on the GEnx engine, and the engine has proven itself in terms of improved fuel efficiency, lower noise levels and reduced emissions,” said Tom Brisken, general manager of the GEnx program. “2008 is another big year for the engine with many major milestones including the first ground test for the GEnx-2B that will power the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental and first flight on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.”
“Hamilton Sundstrand’s variable frequency starter generators provide nearly 1.5 megawatts of power for each Boeing 787, which is five times the power generation capacity of the Boeing 767,” said Clif Jacobs, vice president & general manager, Hamilton Sundstrand Electric Systems. “We’re proud that the power density and performance of our starter generators are instrumental in GE delivering on the promises of the GEnx engine.”
To date, the engine has accumulated more than 3,400 hours and 4,500 cycles. Certification is anticipated later this quarter. Last year, the GEnx engine completed four months of flight-testing on GE’s 747 flying testbed. With 34 flights and 187 hours in the air, the engine demonstrated its outstanding performance in real world flight conditions. The flying testbed started its second phase of testing last month with seven flights completed. In addition to the ground starts, the testbed flights enabled GE to complete an additional 694 air starts.
With more than 1,100 engines sold to date, the GEnx is the fastest-selling engine in GE’s history. Based on the architecture of the GE90, the GEnx will succeed GE’s CF6 engine. Compared to the CF6, the GEnx will offer 15 percent improved fuel efficiency and is designed to stay on wing 30 percent longer, while using 30 percent fewer parts, greatly reducing maintenance. The GEnx emissions will be as much as 95 percent below current regulatory limits, and the engine will be the quietest one that GE has produced based on a pound of thrust per decibel ratio. As the world’s only jet engine with both a front fan case and fan blades made of composites, the GEnx will also have greater durability, less weight as well as lower operating costs than comparable engines in its class.
IHI of Japan, TechSpace Aero of Belgium, Avio SpA. of Italy, Volvo Aero of Sweden and Samsung Techwin of Korea are revenue-sharing participants in the GEnx program.