Abstract
Electric and hybrid-electric aircraft propulsion are rapidly revolutionising mobility technologies. Air travel has become a major focus point with respect to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The electrification of aircraft components can bring several benefits such as reduced mass, environmental impact, fuel consumption, increased reliability and quicker failure resolution. Propulsion, actuation and power generation are the three key areas of focus in more electric aircraft technologies, due to the increasing demand for power-dense, efficient and fault-tolerant flight components. The necessity of having environmentally friendly aircraft systems has promoted the aerospace industry to use electrically powered drive systems, rather than the conventional mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic systems. In this context, this paper reviews the current state of art and future advances in more electric technologies, in conjunction with a number of industrially relevant discussions. In this study, a permanent magnet motor was identified as the most efficient machine for aircraft subsystems. It is found to be 78% and 60% more power dense than switch-reluctant and induction machines. Several development methods to close the gap between existing and future design were also analysed, including the embedded cooling system, high-thermal-conductivity insulation materials, thin-gauge and high-strength electrical steel and integrated motor drive topology.
Highlights
The electrification of aircraft systems has seen a continuous upward trend in recent years
High temperature is a huge requirement for aero-space generators which further reduces the difference between permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) in comparison to Switched Reluctance Machine (SRM) or Induction motors (IM)
It was found that permanent magnet motors are the most common candidate seen in aircraft actuation motors
Summary
The electrification of aircraft systems has seen a continuous upward trend in recent years. It is possible to observe a disruptive transition towards hybrid and full-electric propulsions These conventional systems were powered using aircraft engines, where a variety of mechanisms were used to extract the power. Any of the shortcomings inherent in mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic systems are not seen on a carefully designed electrically powered system. They are more efficient, light and relatively flexible. As the aircraft technologies evolve from secondary to primary power systems, a higher power electrical machine with increased power density and low weight is essential. This will form a key enabler for low-environmental-impact air travel. This paper reviews the current state-of-the-art of MEA technologies, identifies any trade-offs between conventional and electrically powered systems, and analyses different machine topologies and key development areas including weight reduction, thermal management and material advancement [1,2]
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