The Rolls-Royce Rb 211 Turbofan Engine

Abstract

The lecture gives a technical account of the Rolls-Royce RB 211 42 000 lb thrust turbofan engine now powering the Lockheed TriStar passenger transport. This engine was the result of extensive preliminary design studies begun in 1960 to evolve a turbofan successor to the Conway bypass engine. The aim was to provide Rolls-Royce with a propulsion system that would give the United Kingdom the opportunity to share in the most important section of the air-transport market during the last quarter of this century. Low fuel consumption, low noise and low maintenance costs were the principal objectives. These studies led to the RB 211 three-shaft design which was specified for the Lockheed L1011 ordered in 1968 by a number of the larger U.S. airlines. An idea of the large scale of the RB 211 project is given and some of the development problems and lessons are discussed. There is a brief outline of the supporting component, rig and high-temperature turbine development and a summary of the engine's performance is given which includes thrust, specific fuel consumption and noise, all of which have met or beaten the design targets. A developed version of the RB 211, now being tested at over 50 000 lb thrust, is described, as well as the potential for further improvements in fuel consumption and for expected additional aircraft and industrial applications.