Technology
Despite being derived from the GE90, the GEnx features a number of weight-saving innovations:
- Fan diameter of 111 in (2.8 m) for the 787-8 and 105 in (2.7 m) for the 747-8.
- Composite fan blades with titanium leading edges.
- Fan case of composite material which reduces weight and thermal expansion.
- Titanium aluminide stage 6 and 7 low pressure turbine blades.
Fuel burn reduction technologies include:
- Fan bypass ratio of 9.6:1, which also helps reduce noise.
- High pressure compressor based on GE90-94B, with 23:1 pressure ratio and only 10 stages. Also, shrouded guide vanes reduce secondary flows.
- Counter-rotating spools for the reaction turbines to reduce load on guide vanes.
- Lean TAPS (twin annular premixed swirler) combustor to reduce environmentally-harmful emissions with improved airflow to prevent back flash.
Among features to reduce maintenance cost and increase engine life are:
- Spools with lower parts count achieved by using blisks in some stages and low blade counts in other stages and by using a low number of stages.
- Internal engine temperatures reduced by using more efficient cooling techniques.
- Debris extraction within the low pressure compressor guards high pressure compressor.
All of these yield a fuel burn said to be 15% better than GE's CF6-80C2 engines for widebody aircraft.
Read more about this topic: General Electric GEnx
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