The Evolution of Jet Engines

The Evolution of Aircraft Engines:

A Look at the advances used on theGEnx-1B/2B and Trent 1000 Engines

Geoffrey Carrion

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Powerplant Theory and Applications

AMNT 280

Instructor: Padraig Q. Maloney

October 14, 2012

Abstract

The concept of flight has come a long way over the last 110 years. Aircraft have improved as well as the engines that power them. The basic design of the 30’s and 40’s led to the more advanced engines of 2012. Aircraft engines have gone through a unique evolution to keep up with all the generations of flight. This paper will give you information about the history of jet turbine engines, from the creators to the newest designs. I will discuss the construction and design of jet turbine engines compared to the designs of new age jet turbine engines along with any benefits, advantages, and disadvantages.

An evolution of aircraft engines:

A look at the GEnx-1b and Trent 1000 engines

The introduction of General Electric’s GEnx family and Rolls Royce Trent 1000’s brought on a new generation of aircraft engines. Advancements in technology over the last two decades have opened up a new window of opportunity for many aviation manufactures. There was a time when aircraft engines were loud, burned a lot of fuel, and had high emissions. Now, aircraft engines are more fuel efficient, quieter, and produce lower emissions. These features have come a long way from the engines of the past. The introduction of composites such as carbon fiber and ceramic matrix to replace metal along with plant based fuels called bio-fuel raises some doubt on the performance of these new engine designs. Will the efficiency and safety of the new engine designs hold up to their standards they were built for?

History of aircraft engines:

The concepts of turbine engines have been around as far back as 150 BC where Hero of Alexandria designed the Aerlipile. Contributions by great scientist and inventors such as Da...