NASA/General Electric Engine Component Improvement Program
The Engine Component Improvement (ECI) Program has been initiated in connection with projects designed to reduce the impact of the world-wide energy crisis in the area of aviation. The two parts of the ECI program have the overall objective to identify and quantify the sources and causes of CF6 engine performance deterioration, and to reduce the fuel consumption of CF6 engines through the development and the incorporation of various performance improvement concepts. The CF6 high-bypass turbofan engine was selected as a basis for this effort, since it is expected to be a significant fuel user in commercial revenue service for the next 15 to 20 years. The first part of the ECI program represents the initial step in an effort to achieve a goal of five percent reduction in fuel usage for CF6 engines in the 1979-82 time period. The first performance improvement concept selected is an improved efficiency fan blade. Other improvements are related to a short core exhaust system and an improved high pressure turbine.