The joint venture of Aircelle (Safran) and GE Aviation’s Middle River Aircraft Systems for new engine nacelles on integrated propulsion systems, Nexcelle, has delivered its first O-Duct nacelle for CFM International’s LEAP-1C engines.
These engines will power COMAC C919 jetliner, to be to be built by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).
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Nexcelle president Michel Abella said: "Innovation is an important element in Nexcelle’s development of new engine nacelles, and the O-Duct is an example of how our approach to more integrated propulsion systems will benefit aircraft manufacturers and airline operators."
Developed and manufactured by Aircelle, the O-Duct will feature a single-piece, 330-deg carbon composite inner skin, and will be used together with other nacelle components for engine flight test.
The one-piece composite O-Duct, which replaces a traditional thrust reverser’s two-piece ‘D’ doors, moves aftward to the reverse thrust position, while eliminating drag links in the engine’s secondary flow-path.
This enhances the airflow path, improves fuel consumption and increases thrust reverser efficiency, according to the company.
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By GlobalDataProduced at Aircelle’s Le Havre, France manufacturing facility, the O-Duct is currently at GE Aviation’s Peebles, Ohio facility, for built-up with the other nacelle components before its installation on the CFM flight test jetliner.
Created in 2008, Nexcelle has been appointed to supply the nacelle systems for two engine programmes, the CFM International LEAP-1C for COMAC’s C919 jetliner, as well as the GE Aviation Passport for Bombardier’s Global 7000 and Global 8000 business jets.
Image: Nexcelle’s first O-Duct nacelle component will be installed on CFM International LEAP-1C engines on COMAC’s C919 jetliner. Photo: courtesy of Nexcelle.
