1970s British turboshaft aircraft engine
The Rolls-Royce Gem is a turboshaft engine developed specifically for the Westland Lynx helicopter in the 1970s. The design started off at de Havilland Engine division (hence the name starting with "G") and passed to Bristol Siddeley as the BS.360. Rolls-Royce bought out Bristol Siddeley in 1966 and after it dropped the Bristol Siddeley identity the engine became the RS.360.
Design and development.
The Gem's three-shaft engine configuration is rather unusual for turboshaft/turboprop engines. Basic arrangement is a four-stage axial LP (Low Pressure) compressor, driven by a single stage LP turbine, supercharging a centrifugal HP (High Pressure) compressor, driven by a single stage HP turbine. Power from a two-stage free (power) turbine is delivered to the load via a third shaft. A reverse flow combustor is featured.
The Gem 42 develops at Take-off, Sea Level Static, ISA, but the Maximum Contingency Rating (MCR) is .
Until recently all versions of the Lynx have been Gem powered. However, now that Rolls-Royce owns Allison, it has been marketing the more modern LHTEC T800, developed jointly with Honeywell.
References.
Notes.
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