As it reaches its 10-year revenue service anniversary, GE has reported that its GEnx engine recently achieved outstanding endurance test results, completing over 3,000 cycles of dust ingestion testing in a simulated severe environment using a specialized dust ingestion rig. The dust endurance testing is part of GE Aviation’s continued investment in the next generation of technology for the engine line.
The endurance tests validated several hardware improvements, including an improved combustor deflector and redesigned high pressure turbine stage 1 blade.
“We are taking GEnx durability to the next level,” said GEnx General Manager David Kircher. “I’m confident, and the endurance testing proves, that these design improvements will meet our time-on-wing and durability goals, even in the harshest environments. It’s exciting to celebrate the 10-year service anniversary while investing in the future of product.”
The endurance testing mimicked the dust GEnx engines encounter flying in some of the most severe operating environments in the world. In partnership with GE Research, dust was reversed engineered to replicate specific field conditions.
The dust, which can lead to hardware distress, is so fine that it cannot be seen with the naked eye. Test engineers used sophisticated equipment, including sensors sensitive enough to detect to the dust, and lean principles to improve the findings during the test campaign.
