Date of Award

Fall 2011

Access Type

Thesis - Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering

Department

Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair

Richard P. Anderson

First Committee Member

Jianhua Liu

Second Committee Member

Charles N. Eastlake

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to design a safe technology demonstrator by implementing a direct drive propulsion system for a gas-electric hybrid aircraft. This system was integrated on the Embry-Riddle Eco-Eagle for the Green Flight Challenge 2011. The aim of the system is to allow the pilot to use the electric motor as an independent power source to fly the aircraft once at cruise altitude, while having a gas engine to allow for higher power capability.

The system was designed to incorporate the motor and the motor control unit provided by Flight Design and Drivetek AG alongside a Rotax 912ULS engine. The hardware is integrated such that the pilot would be able to fly the aircraft with controls similar to conventional general aviation aircraft. This thesis discusses the method of integration of the hybrid powerplant system into a Stemme S-10 and describes the various components of that system.

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