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

Massimo Cardone, Bonaventura Gargiulo and Enrico Fornaro
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Massimo Cardone: Department of Chemical, Material, and Production Engineering, Engineering Faculty, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
Bonaventura Gargiulo: Department of Chemical, Material, and Production Engineering, Engineering Faculty, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
Enrico Fornaro: Department of Industrial Engineering, Engineering Faculty, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 13, 1-16

Abstract: 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%.

Keywords: hybrid electric propulsion system; parallel configuration; unmanned aerial vehicle; experimental validation; MATLAB Simulink simulation; aircraft; freewheel coupling; specific load speed; Li-ion battery; PMSM; flux weakening (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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