scholarly journals Primary parameters design method for distributed electric propulsion unmanned aerial vehicle

Author(s):  
Yiyuan Ma ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Xingyu Zhang ◽  
Xiaobin Zhang ◽  
Yuelong Ma ◽  
...  

Distributed electric propulsion technology brings new ideas to the design of unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV), such as improving aerodynamic efficiency and propulsive efficiency, and new concept of vertical/short takeoff and landing configurations. However, compared with conventional UAV, the propulsion system of distributed electric propulsion UAV is more complex, which brings difficulties and challenges to the design of distributed electric propulsion UAV. Based on its special aerodynamic/propulsive coupling characteristics, this paper studies the design method and process of primary parameters of distributed electric propulsion UAV. A short takeoff and landing UAV with distributed electric propulsion system is taken as an example for the conceptual design and primary parameter design, and the influence of design parameters on the takeoff mass and endurance is analyzed. Finally, the validity of the established design method is verified by the flight test of the prototype. Results indicate that the distributed electric propulsion system accounts for more than 20% of the takeoff mass; the electric ducted fan efficiency, mass specific power of the motor, mass specific power of the electronic speed controller and the resistivity of power wires are the most significant design parameters that affect the performance of the UAV; with the improvement of technologies, the takeoff mass is expected to be reduced by more than 20%, and the endurance is expected to be increased by more than three times.

2009 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 1050-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Stepaniak ◽  
Frank van Graas ◽  
Maarten Uijt De Haag

2013 ◽  
Vol 732-733 ◽  
pp. 1212-1215
Author(s):  
Gui Wen Kang ◽  
Yu Hu ◽  
Ya Dong Li ◽  
Wen Hui Jiang

The propulsion system of ultralight electric aircraft is one of the general aviation technology development directions. It has the advantages such as light pollution, low noise, high energy utilization ratio, simple structure, easy maintenance, high reliability, less heat radiation, little operation cost and so on. Combined with the certain type of ultralight aircraft design parameters, the layout of aircraft electric propulsion, the principles and steps of the parameter matching of electric propulsion system were presented. The method of parameter matching and performance verification of electric propulsion system was put forward. The feasibility of the system is verified from the point of dynamic property. The study of parameter matching of electric propulsion system could not only provide basis for the integrated optimization for electric power system, but also evaluate the performance of the system simulation as reference.


Author(s):  
Jo Köhler ◽  
Peter Jeschke

AbstractThis paper presents a novel conceptual design method for electric and hybrid electric propulsion systems in small aircraft. The effects of key design parameters on the propulsion system performance are analyzed and the advantages and drawbacks of the investigated propulsion systems are discussed on the basis of two sets of thrust requirements. First, the general conceptual design algorithm is outlined. This is followed by a description of the three propulsion systems investigated: the fully electric; the parallel hybrid; and the conventional internal combustion engine. Scalable models of all required propulsion system components are presented, including weight estimation and operating characteristics. Afterwards, the conceptual design algorithm is exemplified for a reference two-seater motorized glider with a cruising speed of 140 kt and a maximum take-off mass of 1000 kg. Key design parameters are identified and their impact on propulsion system mass and cruise efficiency discussed. This study suggests that the parallel hybrid propulsion system is advantageous for high power ratios between take-off and cruise. For a power ratio of 4.5, either a relative cruise efficiency advantage of 12% or a maximum system mass advantage of 10% can be expected, depending on the propeller design. For the chosen cruise range of 300 km, the system mass of the fully electric propulsion system is at least 2.37 times higher when compared to the conventional propulsion system. In summary, a design method for hybrid electric propulsion systems is presented here which may be used for conceptual design. Furthermore, the suitability of the propulsion systems under investigation for different sets of thrust requirements is assessed, which may be helpful for aircraft designers.


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