The engine has been designed using novel combustion technology to produce ultra-low emissions and this achievement confirms the effectiveness of the compact, power-dense turbine that will be integrated into a light-weight turbogenerator system.
The complete turbogenerator system is being developed for the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market, which includes electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) or electric short take-off and landing (eSTOL) aircraft for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and commuter aircraft with up to 19 seats.
According to Rolls-Royce, the gas turbine under test also has potential applications within helicopter, auxiliary power unit (APU) and defense markets.
In a statement, Matheu Parr, customer director, electrical, said: “This significant achievement follows the fast-paced development time of the new gas turbine from concept freeze to ‘pass to test’ in under two years. The turbogenerator system will enable our customers to extend the routes that electric flight can support and means more passengers will be able to travel further on low and potentially net zero emissions aircraft.”
The turbogenerator system will complement Rolls-Royce’s electrical propulsion portfolio by delivering an on-board power source with scalable power offerings between 500kW and 1,200kW enabling extended range on sustainable aviation fuels and eventually through hydrogen combustion.
Test facilities and equipment, comprising 14 subsystems in total, were designed, procured and built – or adapted – by a global team in just under a year. The test set-up comprises commodity components including valves and hoses, and bespoke subsystems such as the fuel injection systems, oil and ventilation systems, engine mount and water brake that were tailored to the specific test requirements for this new technology.
The first tests helped the team to develop highly relevant knowledge and generate real data to verify key technical attributes of the design. This will allow for design adaptations for the next set of testing, ultimately pushing towards the maturity of a certified engine.
The turbogenerator, which can be used in serial or parallel hybrid applications, is suited to recharge batteries and provide energy to electrical propulsion units directly, enabling aircraft to switch between power sources in flight.
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