Design Study for a Superconducting High-Power Fan Drive for a Long-Range Aircraft

Jan Hoffmann, Wolf-Rüdiger Canders and Markus Henke ()
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Jan Hoffmann: Cluster of Excellence SE2A—Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Aviation, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
Wolf-Rüdiger Canders: Cluster of Excellence SE2A—Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Aviation, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
Markus Henke: Cluster of Excellence SE2A—Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Aviation, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-23

Abstract: New aerodynamic aircraft concepts enable the storage of volumetric liquid hydrogen (LH2). Additionally, the low temperatures of LH2 enable technologies such as the superconductivity of electrical fan drives and power distribution components. An increased power density of the onboard wiring harness and the electrical machine can be expected. The highest system efficiency and the smallest fuel and tank weight will be achieved with a highly efficient energy conversion by the fuel cell from LH2 to electrical energy. This publication shows a comprehensive study for cryogenic fan drives based on experimental-driven tape superconductor investigations, mission profile-based considerations, design analyses of superconducting electrical machines, and studies of the cooling concepts. A cryogenic system cannot be considered without a feasible cooling concept. Here, an approach with a safe He-based cooling system is proposed, using the LH2 flow to the fuel cell as a heat sink for the losses in the electrical system.

Keywords: electrical aviation drives; full electric aircraft; emission-free aircraft; lightweight machine design; high-temperature super conductors; superconducting tape wires; AC losses in HTSL tape wires; redundant drive system; LH2 cooling; multiphase electrical machines; helium cooling; reverse Brayton cycle coolers (RBCC) (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: 2024
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