scholarly journals Modelling and Experimental Validation of a Hybrid Electric Propulsion System for Light Aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3969
Author(s):  
Massimo Cardone ◽  
Bonaventura Gargiulo ◽  
Enrico Fornaro
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ◽  
Model Validation ◽  
Electric Propulsion ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Propulsion System ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Total Power ◽  
Electric Propulsion System ◽  
Aerial Vehicles ◽  
Hybrid Electric

This article presents a numerical model of an aeronautical hybrid electric propulsion system (HEPS) based on an energy method. This model is designed for HEPS with a total power of 100 kW in a parallel configuration intended for ultralight aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The model involves the interaction between the internal combustion engine (ICE), the electric motor (EM), the lithium battery and the aircraft propeller. This paper also describes an experimental setup that can reproduce some flight phases, or entire missions, for the reference aircraft class. The experimental data, obtained by reproducing two different take-offs, were used for model validation. The model can also simulate anomalous operating conditions. Therefore, the tests chosen for the model validation are characterized by the EM flux weakening (“de-fluxing”). This model is particularly suitable for preliminary stages of design when it is necessary to characterize the hybrid system architecture. Moreover, this model helps with the choice of the main components (e.g., ICE, EM, and transmission gear ratio). The results of the investigation conducted for different battery voltages and EM transmission ratios are shown for the same mission. Despite the highly simplified model, the average margin of error between the experimental and simulated results was generally under 5%.

scholarly journals Development of a Lumped Parameter Model for an Aeronautic Hybrid Electric Propulsion System

Aerospace ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Frosina ◽  
Adolfo Senatore ◽  
Luka Palumbo ◽  
Giuseppe Di Lorenzo ◽  
Ciro Pascarella
Keyword(s):  
Electric Propulsion ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Propulsion System ◽  
General Aviation ◽  
Lumped Parameter Model ◽  
Engine Exhaust ◽  
Electric Propulsion System ◽  
Lumped Parameter ◽  
Hybrid Electric ◽  
The University

This paper describes a case study for applying a hybrid electric propulsion system for general aviation aircraft. The work was performed by a joint team from the Centro Italiano Ricerche Aerospaziali (CIRA) and the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Naples Federico II. The use of electric and hybrid electric propulsion for aircraft has gained widespread and significant attention over the past decade. The driver of industry interest has principally been the need to reduce the emissions of combustion engine exhaust products and noise; however, studies have revealed the potential for overall improvement in the energy efficiency and mission flexibility of new aircraft types. The goal of the present study was to demonstrate the feasibility of aeronautic parallel hybrid electric propulsion for light aircraft, varying mission profiles and electric configurations. Through the creation and application of a global model with AMESim® software, in which every aspect of the components chosen by the industrial partners can be represented, some interesting studies were carried out. The numerical model used was more complete and more accurate compared to some others available in the literature. In particular, it was confirmed that, for particular missions, integrating state-of-the-art technologies provides notable advantages for aircraft hybrid electric propulsion for light aircraft.

Experimental evaluation of a hybrid electric propulsion system for small UAVs

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 727-736
Author(s):  
Leonardo Machado ◽  
Jay Matlock ◽  
Afzal Suleman
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Electric Propulsion ◽  
Test Bench ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Propulsion System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hybrid Propulsion ◽  
Electric Propulsion System ◽  
Parallel Hybrid ◽  
Hybrid Electric

Purpose This paper aims to experimentally evaluate the performance of a parallel hybrid propulsion system for use in small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Design/methodology/approach The objective is to combine all the individual components of the hybrid electric propulsion system (HEPS) into a modular test bench to characterize the performance of a parallel hybrid propulsion system, and to evaluate a rule-based controller based on the ideal operating line concept for the control of the power plant. Electric motor (EM) designed to supplement the power of the internal combustion engine (ICE) to reduce the overall fuel consumption, with the supervisory controller optimizing ICE torque. Findings The EM was able to supplement the power of the ICE to reduce fuel consumption, and proved the capability of acting as a generator to recharge the batteries drawing from ICE power. Furthermore, the controller showed that it is possible to reduce the fuel consumption with a HEPS when compared to its gasoline counterpart by running simulated representative UAV missions. The findings also highlighted the challenges to build and integrate the HEPS in small UAVs. Originality/value The modularity of the test bench allows each component to be changed to assess its impact on the performance of the system. This allows for further exploration and improvements of the HEPS in a controlled environment.

scholarly journals Development of Lumped Parameter Model for an Aeronautic Hybrid-Electric Propulsion System

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Frosina ◽  
Adolfo Senatore ◽  
Luca Palumbo ◽  
Giuseppe Di Lorenzo ◽  
Ciro Pascarella
Keyword(s):  
Electric Propulsion ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Propulsion System ◽  
General Aviation ◽  
Lumped Parameter Model ◽  
Engine Exhaust ◽  
Electric Propulsion System ◽  
Lumped Parameter ◽  
Hybrid Electric ◽  
Reduce Emissions

This paper describes a case study for applying of hybrid-electric propulsion system for a general aviation aircraft. The work was performed by a joint team of CIRA and the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Naples “Federico II”. Electric and hybrid electric propulsion for aircraft has gained widespread and significant attention over the past decade. The driver for industry interest has principally been the need to reduce emissions of combustion engine exhaust products and noise, but increasingly studies revealed potential for overall improvement in energy efficiency and mission flexibility of new aircraft types. The project goal was to demonstrate feasibility of aeronautic parallel hybrid-electric propulsion for a Light aircraft varying the mission profiles and the electric configuration. Through a creation, and application, of a global model, with software AMESim®, in which it can be represented everything about the components chosen by the industrial partners, some interesting considerations are carried out. In particular, it was confirmed that with the only integration of state of the art technologies, for some particular missions, the advantages of aircraft hybrid-electric propulsion, for light aircraft, are notable.

scholarly journals Identification of electric propulsion system for unmanned aerial vehicles

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej Sulewski ◽  
Leszek Ambroziak ◽  
Mirosław Kondratiuk ◽  
Adam Stulgis
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ◽  
Electric Propulsion ◽  
Propulsion System ◽  
Electric Propulsion System ◽  
Aerial Vehicles

scholarly journals Design of Hybrid-Electric Megayachts: The Impact of Operative Profile and Smart Berthing Infrastructures

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 186
Author(s):  
Francesco Mauro ◽  
Elia Ghigliossi ◽  
Vittorio Bucci ◽  
Alberto Marinó
Keyword(s):  
Electric Propulsion ◽  
Propulsion System ◽  
Storage Devices ◽  
Electric Propulsion System ◽  
Hybrid Electric ◽  
The Impact

Nowadays, sustainable navigation is becoming a trending topic not only for merchant ships but also for pleasure vessels such as motoryachts. Therefore, the adoption of a hybrid-electric propulsion system and the installation of on-board storage devices could increase the greenness of a megayacht. This paper analyses the performance of three commercial propulsive solutions, using a dynamic operative profile and considering the influences of the smart berthing infrastructures. Results compare the yearly fuel consumptions of the analysed configurations for a reference megayacht.

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