Propulsion system to expedite the development of eVTOL technology
Lead Participant:
DRIVE SYSTEM DESIGN LIMITED
Abstract
The new generation of small electrified (vertical take-off and landing -- eVTOL) air vehicles promises exciting new opportunities for travel, business and commerce. The autonomy they incorporate also makes them highly appropriate for unmanned transport, high value deliveries such as medical aid. Some early functioning vehicles are planned to be used as ambulances in the COVID-19 crisis.
The propulsion technology for these vehicles is a critical contributor to their success as a technology. The performance requirements and operating conditions can be rationalised as vehicles multiply the propulsion units to increase power and safety (redundancy). Yet currently, many different types of system are being trialed with varying success. This is adding cost and barriers to the development and adoption of these vehicles.
The project proposes to remove barriers to and expedite the route to market by creating a modular, scalable propulsion system to suit the majority of fan driven eVTOL vehicles. This will be achieved by combining many years of experience in this field with an extremely capable simulation toolchain.
It will for example, determine whether, for a given set of operating conditions, it is more efficient to have:
\*Hub driven fans with larger diameter motors operating at fan speed
\*Hub driven fans with smaller diameter, faster motors coupled to a transmission to achieve fan speed
\*Tip drive fans with very large diameter motors
\*Fans driven by remotely mounted motor linked by driveshafts and actuation
The project will generate many detailed designs of the components of the system -- automated where possible. These will be combined to generate a large number (several hundred) of candidate systems.
Efficiency (losses) for defined operating conditions and use cases, mass, geometry and cost will be calculated. Calculations to represent the effect of the volume of the power unit on the effectiveness of the fan will also be included. The safety concerns around each candidate will be generated by separate reviews.
Multiple motor technologies and topologies, inverter technologies and a range of transmission types and ratios will be designed. The fan type will be commonised. From the data generated, a comparison of the benefits will be clear and, where necessary a scoring matrix will be created to account for additional criteria. The most competitive solution will be selected and specified in detail.
The calculated performance will be presented alongside the competing systems. A 3D CAD model of the system will also be generated.
The propulsion technology for these vehicles is a critical contributor to their success as a technology. The performance requirements and operating conditions can be rationalised as vehicles multiply the propulsion units to increase power and safety (redundancy). Yet currently, many different types of system are being trialed with varying success. This is adding cost and barriers to the development and adoption of these vehicles.
The project proposes to remove barriers to and expedite the route to market by creating a modular, scalable propulsion system to suit the majority of fan driven eVTOL vehicles. This will be achieved by combining many years of experience in this field with an extremely capable simulation toolchain.
It will for example, determine whether, for a given set of operating conditions, it is more efficient to have:
\*Hub driven fans with larger diameter motors operating at fan speed
\*Hub driven fans with smaller diameter, faster motors coupled to a transmission to achieve fan speed
\*Tip drive fans with very large diameter motors
\*Fans driven by remotely mounted motor linked by driveshafts and actuation
The project will generate many detailed designs of the components of the system -- automated where possible. These will be combined to generate a large number (several hundred) of candidate systems.
Efficiency (losses) for defined operating conditions and use cases, mass, geometry and cost will be calculated. Calculations to represent the effect of the volume of the power unit on the effectiveness of the fan will also be included. The safety concerns around each candidate will be generated by separate reviews.
Multiple motor technologies and topologies, inverter technologies and a range of transmission types and ratios will be designed. The fan type will be commonised. From the data generated, a comparison of the benefits will be clear and, where necessary a scoring matrix will be created to account for additional criteria. The most competitive solution will be selected and specified in detail.
The calculated performance will be presented alongside the competing systems. A 3D CAD model of the system will also be generated.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| DRIVE SYSTEM DESIGN LIMITED | £49,267 | £ 49,267 |
Participant |
||
| INNOVATE UK |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Chris Norton (Project Manager) |