Technical details of the experimental conversion of a turbojet engine into a turboshaft power plant with a capacity of up to 300 kW have become known. The project is being carried out by the Moscow Aviation Institute.
A free turbine unit was installed in place of the jet nozzle. Unlike a conventional one, it is not rigidly connected to the compressor, so it can rotate over a wide range of frequencies.
In such a power plant, the energy of the combustion products is converted into torque on the output shaft. From the output shaft, useful power is transmitted to the propeller, electric generator, or other mechanisms.
Separately, MAI engineers redesigned individual elements of the hot section. Advanced design methods were applied, including 3D printing of parts from heat-resistant alloys.
Earlier it became known that the new power plant can be used in small helicopters.