Pratt gets weight loss

Volvo Aero has developed a new lighter turbine exhaust case (TEC) for the GP7000 series of aero engines developed by The Alliance, a 50/50 joint venture between GE and Pratt & Whitney.

In addition to the development of the product, an agreement signed between Volvo Aero and Pratt and Whitney anticipates that Volvo Aero will assume responsibility for manufacturing and product support for the TEC during the engine’s lifetime.

The turbine exhaust case is a highly critical part of the aircraft engine because, among other reasons, it has, as an integral feature, one of the two support systems that carry the weight of the entire engine.

Among other features, the new Volvo Aero design reduces the weight of the exisiting TEC by more than 10 per cent, resulting in a substantial benefit in terms of fuel consumption and environmental impact.

An extensive development program has now been established to verify and validate the new design.