Assessment of General Aviation Electrified Aircraft Powertrain Based on Simulation and Experiment

Abstract

Electrification of aircraft propulsion is one possible pathway to reduce green-house gas emissions in the aviation sector. The use of batteries as the main energy storage is of high interest, in particular in the general aviation sector. To assess the potential of different powertrain topologies, both simulationbased methods and experimental investigations have to be carried out. Therefore, this paper presents a coupled assessment using simulation and experiments for an electric powertrain in the power class below 100kW. Based on analytical models, the preliminary design of the powertrain as well as performance calculations for each component are performed. In addition, experiments are carried out at a test facility are represented - either physically or via emulation. In this set-up the electric powertrain can be analysed from power supply to consumption, including all components for transmission and conversion. In the present study, both simulation and experimental data were analyzed for the electric machine performance based on two different aircraft mission profiles. The results show a strong agreement of the simulation with the experimental data and highlights potentials as well as challenges for battery-electric aircraft.