EAST HARTFORD, Conn.,
Feb. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has designated
Pratt & Whitney's Single Crystal Turbine Blade as a historic
mechanical engineering landmark, recognized for its progression in
mechanical engineering and aviation. Pratt & Whitney is
division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).
The single crystal turbine blade joins more than 260 ASME
landmarks around the world, 10 of them being in Connecticut.
"The invention of the single crystal turbine blade enabled the
industry-leading performance of our engines today in terms of
efficiency, emissions and time between major overhauls," said
Dave Carter, senior vice president,
Engineering, at Pratt & Whitney. "Having this technology
recognized by ASME is a testament to its impact on the aerospace
industry."
The creation of the single crystal turbine blade began in the
1960s, when engineers Maurice (Bud)
Shank and Frank VerSnyder at
Pratt & Whitney led the effort to find a new turbine blade with
higher strength and heat resistance. The original nickel alloy
turbine blades were made of a metallic crystalline structure with
grain boundaries, which are areas of weakness, making the
components prone to fracture. The single crystal blade eliminated
these crystalline boundaries entirely, exhibiting greatly improved
resistance to fracture, three times better corrosion resistance and
nine times better creep performance when compared to conventionally
cast materials.
"The single crystal turbine blade is a most deserving addition
to ASME's roster of mechanical engineering landmarks," said
Charla K. Wise, president of
ASME. "With this landmark, we recognize the engineering
attributes of the single crystal blade, as well as the corporate
effort of Pratt & Whitney to develop a technology that
contributed to the advancement of the gas turbine
industry."
About 8 million single crystal parts are cast annually for the
aerospace industry. The first commercial aviation use of the new
single crystal airfoils began in 1980 in the JT9D-7R4 jet engine
powering the Boeing 747, McDonnell-Douglas DC-10 and Airbus A300
aircraft. The first production military use of single crystal
airfoils began in 1983 with the P&W TF30 engine to power the
F-111 and F-14 jet fighters as well as the F100 engine to power the
F-15 and F-16 jet fighters.
Pratt & Whitney and ASME will celebrate the historical
landmark designation on Feb. 21 at
the New England Air Museum (NEAM) in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. A permanent
display showcasing this technology will reside at the NEAM.
Since the invention of the wheel, mechanical innovation has
critically influenced the development of civilization and industry
as well as public welfare, safety and comfort. Through its History
and Heritage program, the ASME encourages public understanding of
mechanical engineering, fosters the preservation of this heritage
and helps engineers become more involved in all aspects of history.
In 1971 ASME formed a History and Heritage Committee composed of
mechanical engineers and historians of technology. This Committee
is charged with examining, recording and acknowledging mechanical
engineering achievements of particular significance. For further
information, please visit www.asme.org or follow the
organization on Twitter: @ASMEdotorg.
About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture
and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. United
Technologies Corp., based in Farmington,
Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services
to the building and aerospace industries. To learn more about UTC,
visit its website at www.utc.com, or follow the company on Twitter:
@UTC.
Pratt &
Whitney
+1 (860) 565-9600
media@pw.utc.com
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SOURCE Pratt & Whitney