THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROLLS-ROYCE PROPELLER TURBINE ENGINES

The paper opens with a review of the performance development of Rolls-Royce Propeller Turbine Engines up to and including the Tyne Engine (RB.109), and shows the improvement in both power output and specific fuel consumption and the means by which the improvements have been achieved.

It then examines the experience gained by the operation of the Dart engine in the Viscount aircraft and makes certain proposals for modification to the methods for testing engines suggested by this experience.

It describes the bench and flight testing which was carried out to define the problems of engine and propeller control with the propeller turbine engine and the current solutions to those problems for the different engine types. This section includes a description of the various safety devices which it has been necessary to include in the control system to prevent prohibitive drag or excessive engine speed following engine or control system failures.

The paper concludes with a review of the work done to assess the relative importance of the various factors affecting propeller noise and the conclusions reached.