Design Considerations for the Electrical Power Supply of Future Civil Aircraft with Active High-Lift Systems

authored by

J. K. Mueller, A. Bensmann, B. Bensmann, T. Fischer, T. Kadyk, G. Narjes, F. Kauth, B. Ponick, J. R. Seume, U. Krewer, R. Hanke-Rauschenbach, A. Mertens

Abstract

Active high-lift systems of future civil aircraft allow noise reduction and the use of shorter runways. Powering high-lift systems electrically have a strong impact on the design requirements for the electrical power supply of the aircraft. The active high-lift system of the reference aircraft designconsideredinthispaperconsistsofa?exibleleading-edgedevicetogetherwithacombination of boundary-layer suction and Coanda-jet blowing. Electrically driven compressors distributed along the aircraft wings provide the required mass?ow of pressurized air. Their additional loads signi?cantly increase the electric power demand during take-off and landing, which is commonly provided by electric generators attached to the aircraft engines. The focus of the present study is a feasibility assessment of alternative electric power supply concepts to unburden or eliminate the generator coupled to the aircraft engine. For this purpose, two different concepts using either fuel cells or batteries are outlined and evaluated in terms of weight, ef?ciency, and technology availability. The most promising, but least developed alternative to the engine-powered electric generator is the usage of fuel cells. The advantages are high power density and short refueling time, compared to the battery storage concept.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Drive Systems and Power Electronics
Institute of Electric Power Systems
Institute of Turbomachinery and Fluid Dynamics
Section Electrical Energy Storage Systems
Power Electronics and Drive Control Section

External Organisation(s)

Technische Universität Braunschweig

Type

Article

Journal

ENERGIES

Volume

11

ISSN

1996-1073

Publication date

01.2018

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Energy Engineering and Power Technology, Energy (miscellaneous), Control and Optimization, Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.3390/en11010179 (Access: Open)
https://doi.org/10.15488/4271 (Access: Open)