Adapting jet engine technology for alternative energy uses with SolidWorks
Company Size
11-200
Region
- America
Country
- Canada
- United States
Product
- SolidWorks Premium
- SolidWorks Simulation Professional
- SolidWorks Flow Simulation
- SolidWorks Composer
- SolidWorks Workgroup PDM
Tech Stack
- 3D CAD
- CFD Analysis
- Product Data Management
- Simulation Software
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Customer Satisfaction
- Innovation Output
- Productivity Improvements
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization
- Functional Applications - Product Lifecycle Management Systems (PLM)
Applicable Industries
- Renewable Energy
- Transportation
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
- Quality Assurance
Use Cases
- Digital Twin
- Energy Management System
- Fleet Management
- Predictive Maintenance
- Remote Asset Management
Services
- Software Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
- Training
About The 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 various applications, including converting biomass and solar energy into electricity and developing natural-gas-powered hybrid fuel cell/turbine engines for large vehicles. Established in 2004, the company focuses on developing environmentally responsible energy technologies and operates in both the US and Canada.
The Challenge
Brayton Energy needed a design platform that would allow 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. They needed to test and simulate the performance of their systems in software before investing in actual production. Additionally, the CAD system had to be user-friendly to avoid wasting time on retraining with different software applications from various vendors.
The Solution
Brayton Energy selected the SolidWorks Premium integrated 3D design system for 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, conduct structural, thermal, and fluid flow analysis, and document the entire process efficiently. The use of SolidWorks enabled the company to model design concepts and perform analyses without switching between different software, streamlining their development process.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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