Researchers Develop Small Electric Aux Motor For Single Engine Airplanes | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-09.23.24

Airborne-NextGen-10.01.24

Airborne-Unlimited-10.02.24

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-10.03.24

Airborne-Unlimited-09.27.24

Sat, Jun 13, 2015

Researchers Develop Small Electric Aux Motor For Single Engine Airplanes

Would Provide Extra Level Of Safety For Aircraft Weighing Under 1,650 Pounds

Researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) and the AXTER Aerospace firm have developed an electric propulsion system to install in small gasoline-powered planes for extra power and range in emergency situations. This new hybrid system could prevent 600 accidents a year, the researchers say.

The basic goal of this project is to improve the safety of light and light-sport aircraft, that is, two- and four-passenger planes weighing a maximum of 1,650 pounds. “We are trying to saves lives and prevent accidents related to loss of power during flights, when the engine fails or the fuel runs out,” said one of the inventors, Miguel Ángel Suárez, from AXTER Aerospace, the company which collaborated with UC3M to develop this new system. “We mustn’t forget that every year in Europe and USA there are an average of 600 accidents, 70 deaths and 24 million euros in losses recorded,” he noted.

The idea is to equip the plane with an extra electric engine on the propeller. “If there is a problem with the main engine, this electric engine will start to function, which will provide an additional range of about 20 kilometers, enough for the pilot to land safely,” said Andrés Barrado, head of the UC3M Electric Power Systems group and another promoter of this invention.

The new system has an electric engine which is connected to the conventional engine, a high-efficiency lithium battery and an electronic system that draws energy from the battery and adapts it to the needs of the plane. It also has a battery charger which operates during the flight. “We maximize the capacity of the battery in generating movement with the electric engine, and we have found that we can also use the system as a hybrid for light aircraft: the pilot can activate it when she wants, adding up to 40 horsepower for take-offs or whatever is needed,” said Daniel Cristobal, from AXTER Aerospace and an alumnus of the UC3M. This way, it could be used as if it were an electric turbo to increase the power of the aircraft in certain maneuvers.

This system, which is being marketed and patented internationally, can be installed in all light aircraft, new or already operating. Also, it might eventually be applied to other types of aircraft, such as gyroplanes, gliders, drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition to saving lives and avoiding financial losses resulting from accidents, its architecture reduces the airplane’s operating and maintenance costs, lowers fuel consumption and reduces the emission of greenhouse gases and noise pollution.

(Images from AXTER Aerospace YouTube video)

FMI: www.uc3m.es/Home, www.axteraerospace.com


Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (10.03.24): North Atlantic High Level Airspace (NAT HLA)

North Atlantic High Level Airspace (NAT HLA) That volume of airspace (as defined in ICAO Document 7030) between FL 285 and FL 420 within the Oceanic Control Areas of Bodo Oceanic, >[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (10.03.24)

"Considering the current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, there is a high risk to civil aviation. The conflict involves rockets, missiles and drones launches from Lebanon wit>[...]

NTSB Prelim: Boeing A75L3

The Wreckage Was Located At The Base Of An Approximate 100 Ft Tall Tree On September 6, 2024, about 1259 Pacific daylight time, a Boeing A75L3, N53466, was substantially damaged wh>[...]

Airborne 10.02.24: Piper Wing Spar NPRM, Gogo Buys Satcom, Deadstick Drug Bust

Also: Former FAA Contractor Indicted, SpaceX Grounds Falcon, Buh-Bye KC-10, Sustainable Aviation Caucus The FAA has issued an NPRM that will expand the models of Piper aircraft tha>[...]

Airborne 09.30.24: Blimp Down!, Lawyer v Blackhawk, Young Eagles Update

Also: CAF UC-78 Bobcat Damaged, KSM Wants Landing Fee$$$, UK E-7 Wedgetail, EAA Recognition A Brazilian blimp decked out with São Paulo Futebol Clube gear was sent to pump u>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC