Engines
Honeywell studies more-electric engines
One of the technologies that Honeywell says promises to revolutionize aircraft design is something known as “more electric architecture” (MEA).

One of the technologies that Honeywell says promises to revolutionize aircraft design is something known as “more electric architecture” (MEA). This “breakthrough” technology will replace much of today’s heavy and maintenance-intensive pneumatic and hydraulic fluid and power systems, enabling OEMs to design aircraft with lighter, simpler and more reliable “electric” systems instead of miles of tubing, pumps and valves.

The overall goal behind MEA is to produce more effective aircraft designs that do not rely heavily on “bleed” engine technologies, according to Honeywell v-p of strategic technology Bob Smith. Traditional engines produce thrust and pneumatic, hydraulic and electric power, but “more electric” engines produce only thrust and electricity.