Roydon Fernandes Mr Jayaprakash B. Shivakumar Mr Alexander Bryce Bogert Karl B. Morgan Riley James Cox-Gross Kyle B. Collins Dr. Richard P. Anderson Dr. Jianhua Liu Dr. Patric Hruswicki Jonathan Axel ..
Roydon Fernandes Mr Jayaprakash B. Shivakumar Mr Alexander Bryce Bogert Karl B. Morgan Riley James Cox-Gross Kyle B. Collins Dr. Richard P. Anderson Dr. Jianhua Liu Dr. Patric Hruswicki Jonathan Axel Schroder Mr
The energy density of today’s batteries is not high enough for electric powered aircraft to achieve an operationally viable range plus FAA stipulated reserve flight times. Hybrid-electric power genera..
The energy density of today’s batteries is not high enough for electric powered aircraft to achieve an operationally viable range plus FAA stipulated reserve flight times. Hybrid-electric power generation systems may be able to bridge the gap, providing a way for these aircraft to fly distances not possible with batteries alone. There is a recognition that gasoline-electric hybrid systems can deliver specific energy and specific power that are higher than any currently available battery system. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s (ERAU’s) Eagle Flight Research Center (EFRC) is building a 70+ kW hybrid-electric power generation system using a rotary engine and Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PMSM) & Inverter. The rotary engine will be directly coupled to the PMSM which will generate electrical energy to power multi-rotor eVTOL vehicles. These results will be achieved by utilizing advanced control systems implemented on a National Instruments Compact RIO. Past research conducted at the EFRC demonstrated the ability to design and operate a hybrid-electric powerplant. The VOLTRON project will attempt to create a system with an even higher specific energy but with the compact size and high power characteristics of a rotary engine and eventually alternative fuel flexibility.
