Technical Paper
The GE90 - Designing for Maintainability
1994-03-01
940022
The purpose of this paper is to describe and illustrate how designing for maintainability in modern ultra high bypass ratio turbofan jet engines has significant cost advantages for both the airline operator and the engine manufacturer. It is also necessary to include in the process of designing for maintainability innovations which optimize the airline's ability to utilize engine assets in the most cost effective manner. Contemporary jet engine design evolved to the degree that major engine functional units could be disassembled without disturbing adjacent units to facilitate maintenance in the engine shop, the familiar modular maintenance concept. This was innovative when developed in the early 1970's but today's 80,000 pound thrust class engines require new initiatives.
