Case Studies Adapting jet engine technology for alternative energy uses with SolidWorks

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	Adapting jet engine technology for alternative energy uses with SolidWorks

Adapting jet engine technology for alternative energy uses with SolidWorks

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization Functional Applications - Product Lifecycle Management Systems (PLM)
Applicable Industries	Automotive Renewable Energy Transportation
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Energy Management System Fleet Management Predictive Maintenance Remote Asset Management
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration Training
Challenge	When Brayton Energy began developing environmentally responsible energy technologies in 2004, they needed a design platform that allowed engineers to design, analyze, and show innovative gas turbine applications within compressed development cycles. The company required a CAD system that could take them from concept to production in a streamlined, highly visual way. Given that they were breaking new ground for gas turbine technology, they needed to test and simulate the performance of their systems in software before investing in actual production. The CAD system had to be an extension of their operations, enabling quick movement without wasting time on retraining with various software applications from different vendors. Read More
About Customer	Brayton Energy is a leading developer of innovative energy applications that combine abundant renewable fuels with gas turbine technology, which is traditionally used to power jet aircraft engines. The company has adapted this technology to create new hybrid engines, portable generators, and complete power plants. Brayton Energy's work spans the conversion of biomass and solar energy into electricity and the application of natural-gas-powered hybrid fuel cell/turbine engines for driving large vehicles. Established in 2004, Brayton Energy Canada is a subsidiary of Brayton Energy, LLC, and focuses on developing environmentally responsible energy technologies. Read More
Solution	Brayton Energy selected the SolidWorks Premium integrated 3D design system due to its ease of use, robust tools for designing large assemblies, automated sheet-metal design capabilities, and integrated simulation and documentation applications. They implemented 12 seats of SolidWorks software across their US and Canadian operations, including SolidWorks Simulation Professional, SolidWorks Flow Simulation, and SolidWorks Composer. This integrated platform allowed Brayton Energy to quickly develop and visualize innovative gas turbine systems, such as a unique hybrid solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system combined with a high-efficiency intercooled recuperated (ICR) gas turbine system for vehicular applications. The SolidWorks platform enabled the company to conduct structural, thermal, and fluid flow analysis, manage design files, and document the entire process efficiently. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization

Functional Applications - Product Lifecycle Management Systems (PLM)

Applicable Industries

Automotive

Renewable Energy

Transportation

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Energy Management System

Fleet Management

Predictive Maintenance

Remote Asset Management

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Training

Challenge

When Brayton Energy began developing environmentally responsible energy technologies in 2004, they needed a design platform that allowed engineers to design, analyze, and show innovative gas turbine applications within compressed development cycles. The company required a CAD system that could take them from concept to production in a streamlined, highly visual way. Given that they were breaking new ground for gas turbine technology, they needed to test and simulate the performance of their systems in software before investing in actual production. The CAD system had to be an extension of their operations, enabling quick movement without wasting time on retraining with various software applications from different vendors.

About Customer

Brayton Energy is a leading developer of innovative energy applications that combine abundant renewable fuels with gas turbine technology, which is traditionally used to power jet aircraft engines. The company has adapted this technology to create new hybrid engines, portable generators, and complete power plants. Brayton Energy's work spans the conversion of biomass and solar energy into electricity and the application of natural-gas-powered hybrid fuel cell/turbine engines for driving large vehicles. Established in 2004, Brayton Energy Canada is a subsidiary of Brayton Energy, LLC, and focuses on developing environmentally responsible energy technologies.

Solution

Brayton Energy selected the SolidWorks Premium integrated 3D design system due to its ease of use, robust tools for designing large assemblies, automated sheet-metal design capabilities, and integrated simulation and documentation applications. They implemented 12 seats of SolidWorks software across their US and Canadian operations, including SolidWorks Simulation Professional, SolidWorks Flow Simulation, and SolidWorks Composer. This integrated platform allowed Brayton Energy to quickly develop and visualize innovative gas turbine systems, such as a unique hybrid solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system combined with a high-efficiency intercooled recuperated (ICR) gas turbine system for vehicular applications. The SolidWorks platform enabled the company to conduct structural, thermal, and fluid flow analysis, manage design files, and document the entire process efficiently.

Impact #1	Shortened design cycles, allowing Brayton Energy to bring innovative gas turbine technologies to market more quickly.
Impact #2	Improved handling of large assemblies, managing up to 50,000 parts efficiently.
Impact #3	Developed several gas turbine advances, including a hybrid solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system and an intercooled recuperated (ICR) gas turbine system for vehicular applications.

Impact #1

Shortened design cycles, allowing Brayton Energy to bring innovative gas turbine technologies to market more quickly.

Impact #2

Improved handling of large assemblies, managing up to 50,000 parts efficiently.

Impact #3

Developed several gas turbine advances, including a hybrid solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system and an intercooled recuperated (ICR) gas turbine system for vehicular applications.

Benefit #1	Cut documentation development time by 25 to 50 percent.
Benefit #2	Improved handling of large assemblies of up to 50,000 parts.

Benefit #1

Cut documentation development time by 25 to 50 percent.

Benefit #2

Improved handling of large assemblies of up to 50,000 parts.

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Overview

Adapting jet engine technology for alternative energy uses with SolidWorks

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit