FAIRFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 4, 2003--
Before planes, trains and ships, people had two options: walk or trot. Today, we often take for granted our global accomplishments in mobility. This latest installment of GE's Innovation Update highlights some of the latest transportation innovations that will help us accomplish our travel needs, whether for work or play.
GE's Evolution Series Locomotive Exceeds EPA Standards
According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), passengers traveled approximately 24,602,000,000 miles via rail services (i.e. commuter, heavy and light) in 2000, which released 1,093,000 metric tons (MT) of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), 27,000 MT of particulate matter (PM-10) and 42,000 MT of Hydrocarbons (HC) into the atmosphere.
Recently, GE introduced -- two years ahead of the EPA schedule -- the most fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly diesel electric locomotive - the Evolution Series Locomotive.
GE's Evolution Series locomotive, a project six years in the making, reduces the emissions of current locomotives by 40 percent. Additionally, the locomotive's GEVO 12-cylinder engine produces the same horsepower as a 16-cylinder engine and can be easily upgraded to meet EPA regulations way beyond 2005.
GE's LOCOTROL(R) Remote Controlled Locomotive Improves Safety and Efficiency on Railroads
GE Transportation has developed the LOCOTROL Remote Controlled Locomotive (RCL), a complete system for remote control of locomotives, including a refined radio network and a field proven precision speed control. According to Edward R. Hamberger, President and CEO for the Association of American Railroads, "Portable Locomotive Control Technology offers railroads and their employees both improved safety and greater efficiency."
Additionally, the LOCOTROL RCL has a unique ergonomically designed Operator Control Unit (OCU) with a positive grip Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and intuitive operations allowing the operator to concentrate on yard movements.
The GE90-115B Jet Engine Passes Daunting Test on Path to Commercial Flight.
Lately, the spotlight has been on GE's development of the GE90-115B, the most powerful jet engine ever built. With a thrust capability more than twice that of a typical 747 engine, the GE90-115B will power the new, longer-range Boeing 777 on missions up to 18 hours or 8,900 miles.
The latest issue of Popular Science showcased the testing of the GE90-115B jet engine aboard GE's unique 747 testbed aircraft in the Mojave Desert. Reporter Trevor Thieme was given a behind-the-scenes ride on the 11th flight test, which put the engine through a worst-case scenario by "pushing the 115B to maximum thrust in heavy air and forcing it to power not just itself but every electrical system in the aircraft-as would happen during a single-engine failure." The engine passed the test, demonstrating that the engine and nacelle components can withstand the stress brought on by a single-engine failure even under the searing heat of the Mojave Desert.
The GE90-115B jet engine, which still has a number of tests to undergo by both GE and Boeing, is expected to have its first commercial flight in 2004.
China ACAC selects GE to Power ARJ21 Regional Jet
According to recent reports, the American market for regional jets - 50-90 person jets with the capacity to fly up to 1,500 miles without refueling - has grown significantly over the past ten years, from only 85 jets in 1993 to over 1,300 jets today. Originally intended to act as a go-between from airline hubs to smaller airports, carriers soon found that these regional jets had more widespread use with dramatically lower operating costs and consumer preference over turboprop planes.
Across the Pacific, China has also recognized the benefits of the regional jet. As part of China's rapid aviation market expansion in preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the AVIC I Commercial Aircraft Co. Ltd. (ACAC) selected GE's CF34-10A engine to power the 500 ARJ21 regional jets now in development. The ARJ21 jet combined with the CF34-10A engine is particularly suited to meet the demanding conditions of China's diverse environment, specifically the hot temperature and high altitude conditions experienced on many routes in Western China. The CF34-10A engine will not only provide the thrust capability to meet aircraft performance requirements, but will also provide China ACAC with low-cost operations and a highly reliable, easily maintainable propulsion system.
GE Brightens Up Aircraft Landings
Reliable aircraft lamps are of paramount importance to overall safety during any flight. In an effort to enhance safety for landing and cut down on maintenance time and costs, GE Lighting has created a long life version of the Q4559X, a long lasting aircraft lamp that lasts up to 200 hours -- twice as long as lamps currently available. Using a mix of rare earth gasses combined with the mechanical properties of the lamp, GE Engineers use a technology that lends to a longer "life" for each bulb. Additionally, to protect against early failure, the lamps use GE's patented Tri-Pod shock absorbing mount structure, allowing the lamp to withstand the harsh environment that landing lamps see. With this unique combination of lighting technology, the Q4559X lamp has longest rated life offered in the industry.
For more information on these announcements and other information about GE Global Research, please contact Jim Healy at (518) 387-6284 / [email protected] or Amanda Hamilton at (212) 931-6131 / [email protected].
--30--sdg/ny*
CONTACT:
GE Global Research
Jim Healy, 518/387-6284
or
Peppercom
Amanda Hamilton, 212/931-6131