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Challenges and Opportunities of Very Light High-Performance Electric Drives for Aviation

Author

Listed:
  • Markus Henke

    (Institut für Elektrische Maschinen, Antriebe und Bahnen, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Gerrit Narjes

    (Institut für Antriebssysteme und Leistungselektronik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany)

  • Jan Hoffmann

    (Institut für Elektrische Maschinen, Antriebe und Bahnen, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Constantin Wohlers

    (Institut für Antriebssysteme und Leistungselektronik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany)

  • Stefan Urbanek

    (Institut für Antriebssysteme und Leistungselektronik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany)

  • Christian Heister

    (Institut für Elektrische Maschinen, Antriebe und Bahnen, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Jörn Steinbrink

    (Institut für Antriebssysteme und Leistungselektronik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany)

  • Wolf-Rüdiger Canders

    (Institut für Elektrische Maschinen, Antriebe und Bahnen, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Bernd Ponick

    (Institut für Antriebssysteme und Leistungselektronik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany)

Abstract

The demand for alternative fueling methods to reduce the need for fossil fuels is not limited to the electrification of ground vehicles. More-electric and all-electric aircraft pose challenges, with extensive requirements in terms of power density, efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability. This paper focuses on electrical machines and their components, especially for high-power applications like the main propulsion. The electrical machine is evaluated from different aspects, followed by a closer look at the components and materials to determine the suitability of the current standard materials and advanced technologies. Furthermore, the mechanical and thermal aspects are reviewed, including new and innovative concepts for the cooling of windings and for the use of additive manufacturing. Aircraft have special demands regarding weight and installation space. Following recent developments and looking ahead to the future, the need and the possibilities for light and efficient electrical machines are addressed. All of the approaches and developments presented lead to a better understanding of the challenges to be expected and highlight the upcoming opportunities in electrical machine design for the use of electric motors and generators in future aircraft. Several prototypes of electrical machines for smaller aircraft already exist, such as the electric drive of the Siemens powered Extra 330LE. The focus of this paper is to provide an overview of current technical possibilities and technical interrelations of high performance electric drives for aviation. A 1 MW drive is exemplified to present the possibilities for future drives for airplanes carrying a larger number of passengers. All presented techniques can also be applied to other drive power classes.

Suggested Citation

  • Markus Henke & Gerrit Narjes & Jan Hoffmann & Constantin Wohlers & Stefan Urbanek & Christian Heister & Jörn Steinbrink & Wolf-Rüdiger Canders & Bernd Ponick, 2018. "Challenges and Opportunities of Very Light High-Performance Electric Drives for Aviation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-25, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:2:p:344-:d:130008
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jing Tang & Yongheng Yang & Frede Blaabjerg & Jie Chen & Lijun Diao & Zhigang Liu, 2018. "Parameter Identification of Inverter-Fed Induction Motors: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-21, August.
    2. Ryo Yoshida & Jun Kitajima & Takashi Sakae & Mitsuhide Sato & Tsutomu Mizuno & Yuki Shimoda & Akihiro Kubota & Shogo Wada & Teruo Kichiji & Hideo Kumagai, 2022. "Effect of Magnetic Properties of Magnetic Composite Tapes on Motor Losses," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-16, October.
    3. Filip Kutt & Michał Michna & Grzegorz Kostro, 2020. "Non-Salient Brushless Synchronous Generator Main Exciter Design for More Electric Aircraft," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-17, May.
    4. Edison Gundabattini & Arkadiusz Mystkowski & Adam Idzkowski & Raja Singh R. & Darius Gnanaraj Solomon, 2021. "Thermal Mapping of a High-Speed Electric Motor Used for Traction Applications and Analysis of Various Cooling Methods—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-32, March.
    5. Konrad Johan Jensen & Morten Kjeld Ebbesen & Michael Rygaard Hansen, 2021. "Novel Concept for Electro-Hydrostatic Actuators for Motion Control of Hydraulic Manipulators," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-27, October.
    6. Sziroczak, David & Jankovics, Istvan & Gal, Istvan & Rohacs, Daniel, 2020. "Conceptual design of small aircraft with hybrid-electric propulsion systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    7. Shahbaz Khan & Xiaobin Zhang & Muhammad Saad & Husan Ali & Bakht Muhammad Khan & Haider Zaman, 2018. "Comparative Analysis of 18-Pulse Autotransformer Rectifier Unit Topologies with Intrinsic Harmonic Current Cancellation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-18, May.
    8. Wolf-Rüdiger Canders & Jan Hoffmann & Markus Henke, 2019. "Cooling Technologies for High Power Density Electrical Machines for Aviation Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-23, December.

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