Aircraft energy generation components
The EU Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) Clean Sky is the most ambitious aeronautical research programme ever launched in Europe. Its mission is to develop breakthrough technologies to significantly increase air transport environmental performance, resulting in less noisy and more fuel-efficient aircraft. Studying innovative energy management architectures is an essential step towards realising the concept of more-electric aircraft, a stepping stone to all-electric aircraft. In the EU-funded project 'Electrical test bench drive systems: Μechanical interfaces' (ELTESTSYS), researchers developed a modular test rig to validate the electrical system and equipment integration and the quality of the energy produced. The ELTESTSYS test bench consists of four identical driving systems, associated control and power cabinets, and a control and storage computer. Each system drives a single generator or starter-generator and is able to simulate electricity generation and electrical starting of the aircraft engine. Furthermore, any two driving systems can be synchronised in speed and position, in addition to functioning simultaneously or not, independently or interdependently, and being locally or remotely controlled. A high-efficiency cylindrical gearbox with a recess gear system is used to transmit power and is also bidirectional and birotational. The system has low noise emissions and uses a reduced amount of oil. At the low-speed shaft, the gearbox is connected to the direct current motor through a backlash-free torsionally stiff metal bellows coupling. At the high-speed shaft, ELTESTSYS used two hydraulic hub–shaft connections and a torquemeter. For cooling and lubricating the gearbox, researchers designed a lubrication and cooling group. Furthermore, they designed mounting interfaces and a bursting shield to protect operators and the test bench in case of failure of the equipment under test. By bringing up innovative solutions in mechanical high-speed transmissions and improving electrical test benches, ELTESTSYS should contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the aeronautics industry.
Keywords
Energy generation, test bench, electric aircraft, drive systems, mechanical interfaces
