Rolls-Royce announced that it broke a new world record in aviation with its UltraFan® power transmission.
In the test conducted in Dahlewitz, near Berlin, the capital of Germany, it was stated that the UltraFan® power transmission reached 87.000 horsepower and 64 megawatts, that is, enough to meet the power needs of a city with a population of 89 thousand. It was stated that with this test, the UltraFan demonstrator engine, which will be delivered within the year and under construction, has completed an important milestone regarding the transmission designed for the UF001.
Scalable for narrow or wide-body aircraft, the UltraFan is an essential part of Rolls-Royce's mission to make travel more sustainable. Gas turbines will continue to form the backbone of long-haul aviation for years to come. UltraFan's efficiency will help improve industry economics in the short-term transition from traditional jet fuel to more costly but more sustainable fuels. The first test of the engine will be carried out with 100 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Rolls-Royce Power Traction Systems, Subsystem Manager Dr. Holger Klinger said: “This record is a major victory, demonstrating the performance and durability of this critical component to our UltraFan program. This powertrain technology is at the heart of the success of the next generation of Rolls-Royce jet engines. We are proud to see that we, at Rolls-Royce, are pushing the boundaries of engineering.”
The Power Traction System (PGB) plays a critical role in the UltraFan engine and helps provide near-perfect efficiency levels in various propulsion systems. In the system, which has a planetary gear design, each 'gear' can keep the power of a Trent XWB engine at full throttle capacity. Thanks to the developed design, while the front fan works at low speed, the turbine behind the engine can operate at very high speed. In this way, the UltraFan engine becomes highly efficient and provides 25 percent more fuel savings compared to the first generation Rolls-Royce Trent engines.
Focusing on validation, durability and safety, initial prototype traction system development tests began in 2017 at the private PGB test facility in Dahlewitz. During the meticulous testing process, the powertrain system was subjected to more than 650 hours of testing, proving its ability to manage power equivalent to all 1 cars in the Formula 20 organization.
On the other hand, the Power Traction System (PGB) is also subjected to tests on the Attitude Rig assembly, which simulates the impact of the traction system on the wing of an aircraft in flight, with stages such as take-off, climb, tilt and descent, in addition to the high power test.
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