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Aviation History
1983
1983 - 1720.PDF
PROPULSION New 500 s.h.p. turboprop on the way MOBILE Teledyne Continental is developing a single-shaft general-aviation turboprop for light singles, military trainers, and pressurised twins. The engine, called the TP500, will be offered in versions span ning the 250 s.h.p. — 520 s.h.p. range. Bench and flight- testing is now in progress. Details of the TP500 are released in a Teledyne specifi cation sheet currently being circulated, although the company is retaining a very low profile on the engine. Designed as a low-cost turboprop, the TP500 will, if certificated, be competitive with the most powerful piston engines currently available, powering top-of-the-range general-aviation aircraft. Dry weight is 3001b, with oper ational limits being defined as from sea level to 25,000ft over the temperature range -45°C to +50° C. Starting limits extend from -29°C to +50°C. The core is very simple, consisting of a two-stage axial turbine driving a single-stage centrifugal compressor which achieves a pressure ratio of 8:1 at a turbine inlet temperature of 1,026°C. A gas generator output speed of 50,000 r.p.m. is reduced to 2,000 r.p.m. by an as yet undefined propeller gearbox. Teledyne says in its specifi cation sheet that it chose the single-shaft concept for its 5 10 15 20 25 Alti1ude(ftx100O) control simplicity, reliability, and low cost. Other features include an integral torque meter for torque limiting, automatic feathering, and "airstart co-ordination". If the development programme bears fruit the TP500 will be the only such turboprop in its class. Burn ing Avtur, it would also be cheaper to operate. The only turbine competitor at present is Allison's 420 s.h.p. Model 250-B17C, or the 500 s.h.p. -28B. A slightly more complex two-shaft engine with a free turbine, the Model 250 series has been around in turboshaft guise since 1960. Turboprop Model 250s power the GAF Nomad, Turbine Islander, and Siai Marchetti SF.260. Design and development of the TP500 was originally carried out by the small gas turbine specialist Noel Penny Turbines under contract to Teledyne Continental. NPT produced all of the demon strator engines at its Coventry plant before shipping them to the USA. MODULE Teledyne CAE has proved its worth as second source of cruise-missile turbofans by flying a successful l|hr mission aboard a Tomahawk. Teledyne was selected as the alternative source of F.107 engines in 1978 after a competition with five other contractors. patiale TWS ~o
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