Jul 13 2007
Goodrich Corporation is partnering with a multi-company/university team, led by Rolls-Royce, on a research project focused on developing technology to reduce the environmental impact of gas turbine aerospace engines. The program has been dubbed the Environmentally Friendly Engine (EFE) technology program. Goodrich's Engine Control and Electrical Power Systems team, headquartered in Birmingham, UK, is Rolls-Royce's largest partner on the program and will be providing the next generation of electronic and fuel system controls for six engine technology validation runs over the course of five years.
According to Simon Burr, Goodrich's Vice President, Engineering and Programs for Engine Controls, "Solutions to provide environmentally-friendly aerospace engines are linked to the need for dramatic improvements in engine control technology. As part of this team, Goodrich will stay at the forefront of emerging innovations which will ultimately enable the engine manufacturers to meet the global airline industry's needs as they evolve over time. Changes on the horizon include engines which emit 20% less carbon dioxide, 80% less nitrogen oxide and a noise reduction of 18 decibels."
Goodrich's Birmingham facility has over 1,300 employees working across a variety of products including fuel metering controls, fuel pumping systems, electronic controls, afterburner systems and fuel driven actuation controls. In addition, the site has the ability to design complete aerospace engine control systems in-house.
In addition to Rolls-Royce and Goodrich, the EFE team is comprised of Bombardier Aerospace, HS Marston and GE Aviation's Systems division on the industrial side, along with the universities of Birmingham, Cambridge, Loughborough, Oxford and Sheffield in England and Queen's Belfast in Northern Ireland.
The new Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, is scheduled to visit Rolls-Royce in Derby, UK today for an update on the program.
The UK Department of Trade and Industry and a number of regional development agencies are supporting the program through shared funding as part of the UK National Aerospace Technology Strategy.