(10/10/2011)

LORD Corporation's engine mount solution for the new Embraer 450 /500 business jet recently passed the Critical Design Review (CDR) stage.

The Fluidlastic® engine mounts designed by LORD Corporation — a leader in the management of vibration, noise and motion control — are an integral part of the performance of the new jet. Building on a long relationship with Embraer, as well as extensive engine mount experience in the business jet market, LORD was selected to provide engine mounts for the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 models, under contract with engine supplier Honeywell, which is developing the new HTF7500E model. The contract, signed in 2009, is for design, development and production of complete engine mount system.

Fluidlastic is a LORD patented technology that uses a tuned fluid mass to create a "notch" filter at a specified frequency as fluid is transferred across the isolator. Unlike alternative engine mounts, Fluidlastic mounts provide a minimum dynamic stiffness at the key engine driving frequency for optimal engine vibration attenuation that is very important for high end business jets like the Embraer Legacy 450 and Legacy 500.

According to Jim Maciak, LORD staff engineer, the proven performance of Fluidlastic technology on other Embraer platforms, as well as reduced weight and extensive service life in a compact package, validated the technology as a highly reliable solution. He noted that earlier designs of the Fluidlastic technology have been proven through more than 100 million hours of operation on aircraft such as the Embraer ERJ 145 and Phenom 300, Cessna Citation Bravo and Excel, and Raytheon Model 400A.

The CDR involved validation of the technology to both Honeywell and Embraer. The elastomeric components have been sized for a design life goal of 7,500 flight hours, which minimizes the need for replacement. In addition, both forward and aft isolators can be overhauled and reused in order to allow for reduced maintenance cost.

Maciak stated that testing conducted by LORD characterized the performance of the solution in aggressive windmill conditions. Further, building on LORD Corporation's expertise in material properties, LORD was able to provide Honeywell with elastomeric properties that would allow them to perform correlation analysis to the characterization testing and make predictions beyond what was tested.

"Through LORD Corporation's knowledge and understanding of compliance to Federal Air-Worthiness Regulations, our previous experience with fireproof testing, and application of finite element analysis techniques for stress analysis, LORD was able to propose forward isolator designs using light-weight material such as titanium and aluminum. As a result, the customer was offered low risk, isolator designs that were below the customer’s weight requirements, while still being able to meet all of the certification requirements," said Maciak. "The CDR milestone is crucial to the overall success of the program as LORD had to produce the isolation system before approval in order to keep this program on schedule." "Through extensive collaboration with the airframe structure supplier, Honeywell and Embraer, this new aircraft will offer passengers greater comfort. As business jet customers have become more discriminating, it has become even more important to minimize engine noise in the cabin," said Kris Burson, market manager for LORD Corporation’s fixed-wing aerospace business.

"LORD is proud to be a partner in making Embraer's aircraft among the quietest in the market. We believe the technology's performance on the ERJ 145 jets and the Phenom 300 will lead to even more applications of our Fluidlastic technology," said John Smid, LORD Corporation's fixed -wing engineering manager.

LORD shipped the first delivery of products in March.

Coined as a MLJ (Midlight Jet) and MSJ (Midsize Jet) and introduced at the NBAA Convention in 2007, the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 were officially launched in May 2008. The Legacy 450 range is designed to fly 2,300 nautical miles (4,260 km) nonstop, while the Legacy 500 may go farther (3,000 nautical miles or 5,560 km). The rooming interior, designed in partnership with BMW Group DesignworksUSA, will confortably carry up to 9 or 12 passengers, respectively, on a full stand-up flat floor cabin. They will be equipped with the new generation Collins ProLine FusionTM flight deck, with full fly-by-wire flight controls, increasing operational safety and passenger comfort, while reducing pilot workload and fuel consumption.

About Embraer

Embraer S.A. (NYSE: ERJ; BM&FBOVESPA: EMBR3) is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jets up to 120 seats, and one of Brazil's leading exporters. Embraer's headquarters are located in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, and it has offices, industrial operations and customer service facilities in Brazil, China, France, Portugal, Singapore, and the U.S. Founded in 1969, the Company designs, develops, manufactures and sells aircraft and systems for the commercial aviation, executive aviation, and defense and security segments. It also provides after sales support and services to customers worldwide. On June 30, 2011, Embraer had a workforce of 17,194 employees – not counting the employees of its partially owned subsidiaries – and its firm order backlog totaled USD 15.8 billion. For more information, visit www.embraer.com.br.