Barriers and Challenges Going from Conventional to Cryogenic Superconducting Propulsion for Hybrid and All-Electric Aircrafts

Francisco Ferreira da Silva, João F. P. Fernandes and Paulo Jose da Costa Branco
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Francisco Ferreira da Silva: IDMEC, Técnico Lisboa, University of Lisbon, 1049 Lisbon, Portugal
João F. P. Fernandes: IDMEC, Técnico Lisboa, University of Lisbon, 1049 Lisbon, Portugal
Paulo Jose da Costa Branco: IDMEC, Técnico Lisboa, University of Lisbon, 1049 Lisbon, Portugal

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 21, 1-17

Abstract: The development of electric aircraft is becoming an important technology for achieving the goals set by the European Commission for the reduction of gases emissions by 2050 in the aeronautical transportation system. However, there is a technology gap between the current values of specific power in commercial electric machines and those required for aeronautical applications. Therefore, the search for alternative materials and non-conventional designs is mandatory. One emergent solution is using superconducting machines and systems to overcome the current limits of conventional electrical machines. This work reviews the new hybrid and all-electric aircraft tendencies, complementing it with recent research on the design and development of high specific power superconducting machines. This includes the main topologies for hybrid and all-electric aircraft, with an overview of the ongoing worldwide projects of these aircraft types, systematizing the main characteristics of their propulsion systems. It also includes the research on superconducting machines to achieve high specific power and consider the impact on the redesign of aircraft systems, the electrical, cooling, and fuel source systems.

Keywords: review; electrical machines; superconducting machines; hybrid-electric aircraft; propulsion design; all-electric aircraft; specific power (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 (3)

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