Periodic Reporting for period 2 - EASIER (Electric Aircraft System Integration Enabler)
Reporting period: 2021-12-01 to 2023-05-31
EASIER focuses on developing new technologies for future electric aircraft around electromagnetic interference and thermal, particularly researching their optimization. The challenges presented by aircraft electric propulsion require the development of new airborne technologies. Electrification is also improving other sectors from ground transportation or the autonomous generation/usage of electricity from renewables to efficient and economical air transportation. Those intended technologies must be capable of producing a highly efficient, lightweight, and compact aircraft electrical system that can supply the electric power for propulsion as well as for other uses while keeping electromagnetic emissions under safe limits compatible with airborne equipment operation and human safety. In addition, they shall control heat up of the system by enhanced thermal dissipation through a proper thermal management system. There are several key performance indicators that need to be significantly improved to make aircraft electrification a reality, weight, size, efficiency and reliability are the most important. EASIER aims to achieve solutions that are relevant and that significantly improve the current state of the art. With this aim, EASIER brought together a multidisciplinary team to achieve the following objectives:
A. Investigating EMI filtering solutions with less volume and weight.
B. Investigating EWIS technologies with less radiated EMI, less volume and lower weight.
C. Improved heat transfer from electrical systems to the aircraft exterior.
D. Optimization of the integration of electrical systems with significant mutual impact.
E. Engagement with airframers and regulatory agencies.
F. System trade-off analysis, technology identification, and roadmapping.
A. Investigating EMI filtering solutions with less volume and weight.
B. Investigating EWIS technologies with less radiated EMI, less volume and lower weight.
C. Improved heat transfer from electrical systems to the aircraft exterior.
D. Optimization of the integration of electrical systems with significant mutual impact.
E. Engagement with airframers and regulatory agencies.
F. System trade-off analysis, technology identification, and roadmapping.
The main activities performed by EASIER partners are listed below for the technical WPs.
WP2 activities have developed a set of tools and models to evaluated EMC performance for the different cases evaluated in EASIER:
- Simulink model of a power train.
- Radiated emissions model for power EWIS.
- Modelling of miniaturized EMI filters.
- Methods for analyzing different grounding schemes.
- Toolset for evaluating the impact of complex cable environment to powertrain behaviour.
WP3 activities developed novel cooling solutions for power electronics and power feeders. Thermal models were produced and experimentally validated. The main results are:
- Single coldplate design achieving 42% volume reduction.
- Two-phase coldplate achieving 68% reduction.
- Passive power feeder cooling with a weight reduction of 55%.
- Active power feeder cooling with a weight reduction of 68%.
WP4 defined the design of EMI filters for power electronics both for a propulsion and distribution grid. The main achievements have been:
- Definition of architecture and grounding schemes for the power train.
- Development of new software solutions of EMI mitigation.
- Development of passive and hybrid filters for propulsion and distribution.
- Design rules and recommendations for filter design.
- Human hazard analysis based on the ICNIRP.
WP5 have developed new concepts for power feeders. The main achievements have been:
- CAD model of aircraft with electrical driveline.
- New concepts for ac and dc cables.
- Design and build of experimental HCLV test setup.
- Multiphysics and parametric model development.
WP6 utilized the materials and the know-how from the previous work packages to perform trade-off activities:
- Architectures and grounding were selected for the trade-off.
- EMI trade-off for different grounding schemes, filters and power feeder concepts was completed.
- Thermal trade-off for different aircraft systems and architectures was completed.
- Testing and validation of EASIER technologies in relevant test benches.
WP7 focused on the assessment of technologies. The main achievements were:
- All EASIER technologies have been assessed and evaluated for future exploitation.
- All EASIER technologies have been evaluated for their economic impact and their gains evaluated for FP2050.
- EASIER technologies had their maturity level evaluated against the definitions made within the project.
WP2 activities have developed a set of tools and models to evaluated EMC performance for the different cases evaluated in EASIER:
- Simulink model of a power train.
- Radiated emissions model for power EWIS.
- Modelling of miniaturized EMI filters.
- Methods for analyzing different grounding schemes.
- Toolset for evaluating the impact of complex cable environment to powertrain behaviour.
WP3 activities developed novel cooling solutions for power electronics and power feeders. Thermal models were produced and experimentally validated. The main results are:
- Single coldplate design achieving 42% volume reduction.
- Two-phase coldplate achieving 68% reduction.
- Passive power feeder cooling with a weight reduction of 55%.
- Active power feeder cooling with a weight reduction of 68%.
WP4 defined the design of EMI filters for power electronics both for a propulsion and distribution grid. The main achievements have been:
- Definition of architecture and grounding schemes for the power train.
- Development of new software solutions of EMI mitigation.
- Development of passive and hybrid filters for propulsion and distribution.
- Design rules and recommendations for filter design.
- Human hazard analysis based on the ICNIRP.
WP5 have developed new concepts for power feeders. The main achievements have been:
- CAD model of aircraft with electrical driveline.
- New concepts for ac and dc cables.
- Design and build of experimental HCLV test setup.
- Multiphysics and parametric model development.
WP6 utilized the materials and the know-how from the previous work packages to perform trade-off activities:
- Architectures and grounding were selected for the trade-off.
- EMI trade-off for different grounding schemes, filters and power feeder concepts was completed.
- Thermal trade-off for different aircraft systems and architectures was completed.
- Testing and validation of EASIER technologies in relevant test benches.
WP7 focused on the assessment of technologies. The main achievements were:
- All EASIER technologies have been assessed and evaluated for future exploitation.
- All EASIER technologies have been evaluated for their economic impact and their gains evaluated for FP2050.
- EASIER technologies had their maturity level evaluated against the definitions made within the project.
The objectives of the project are still scientifically and technologically relevant, in fact, they are critical topics for the future of aviation.
1.Investigating EMI filtering solutions with less volume and weight.
The filters are key to reduce a significant amount of weight from the converter to push the power density and reduce the footprint on the aircraft.
The KPIs set in the proposal have been achieved for filters dedicated to power conversion.
2.Investigating EWIS technologies with less radiated EMI, less volume and lower weight.
It is becoming clear in EASIER that power EWIS, busbars and connectors are main drivers of noise particularly on the high frequency. Identifying the EMC mechanisms is key to minimize the filtering effort. The thermal aspect of power feeders is key for electrification distribution to reduce the overall impact of the power feeders on the aircraft.
3.Improved heat transfer from electrical systems to the aircraft exterior.
This topic is extremely relevant. Improving heat transfer coefficients will lead to smaller systems. Identification of heat loads and their cooling will be continued thought efforts in Clean Aviation by some of the partners.
4.Optimization of the integration of electrical systems with significant mutual impact.
Architecture and analysis of the adds for the improved technologies is an important topic to understand the impact of technologies.
5.Engagement with airframers and regulatory agencies.
DO160-G, the standard defining procedures and environmental test criteria for testing airborne equipment, is considered as an outdated regulation when it comes analyzing EMI for power propulsion systems. On that note, discussion have been had with the Industrial Advisory Board, in particular with EASA, Airbus and Aeronamic to understand what things can be adjusted from the DO160-G to make it more relevant. Unfortunately, everyone in the IAB have concluded this is an effort that will be closed with the future regional and SMR definitions in the context of Clean Aviation.
Significant work is carried out in EUROCAE working groups, participation on SAEL conferences and other forums in order to identify the needs from a regulatory perspective that the new paradigm of electrified aircraft is pushing to the industry. This effort is a must to progress towards green aviation and zero emission aircraft transportation, as acknowledged by the EC through the definition of Clean Aviation and future programs in which many of the EASIER partners are going to be contributing to.
6.System trade-off analysis and technology identification.
System trade-offs and technology evaluation are a need to achieve an optimized solution not at component but at an aircraft level. This topic will also be continued in Clean Aviation.
7.Roadmapping of hybrid/electric aircraft key enabling technologies in terms of EMI and thermal management.
Identification of the impact of the key enabling technologies and know-how from EASIER is extremely relevant for future efforts within the aerospace industry to reduce GHG emissions.
The activities started in EASIER will continue thought internal efforts of the industrial partners and also within different projects in Clean Aviation to deliver solutions relevant for next gen SMR and HER.
1.Investigating EMI filtering solutions with less volume and weight.
The filters are key to reduce a significant amount of weight from the converter to push the power density and reduce the footprint on the aircraft.
The KPIs set in the proposal have been achieved for filters dedicated to power conversion.
2.Investigating EWIS technologies with less radiated EMI, less volume and lower weight.
It is becoming clear in EASIER that power EWIS, busbars and connectors are main drivers of noise particularly on the high frequency. Identifying the EMC mechanisms is key to minimize the filtering effort. The thermal aspect of power feeders is key for electrification distribution to reduce the overall impact of the power feeders on the aircraft.
3.Improved heat transfer from electrical systems to the aircraft exterior.
This topic is extremely relevant. Improving heat transfer coefficients will lead to smaller systems. Identification of heat loads and their cooling will be continued thought efforts in Clean Aviation by some of the partners.
4.Optimization of the integration of electrical systems with significant mutual impact.
Architecture and analysis of the adds for the improved technologies is an important topic to understand the impact of technologies.
5.Engagement with airframers and regulatory agencies.
DO160-G, the standard defining procedures and environmental test criteria for testing airborne equipment, is considered as an outdated regulation when it comes analyzing EMI for power propulsion systems. On that note, discussion have been had with the Industrial Advisory Board, in particular with EASA, Airbus and Aeronamic to understand what things can be adjusted from the DO160-G to make it more relevant. Unfortunately, everyone in the IAB have concluded this is an effort that will be closed with the future regional and SMR definitions in the context of Clean Aviation.
Significant work is carried out in EUROCAE working groups, participation on SAEL conferences and other forums in order to identify the needs from a regulatory perspective that the new paradigm of electrified aircraft is pushing to the industry. This effort is a must to progress towards green aviation and zero emission aircraft transportation, as acknowledged by the EC through the definition of Clean Aviation and future programs in which many of the EASIER partners are going to be contributing to.
6.System trade-off analysis and technology identification.
System trade-offs and technology evaluation are a need to achieve an optimized solution not at component but at an aircraft level. This topic will also be continued in Clean Aviation.
7.Roadmapping of hybrid/electric aircraft key enabling technologies in terms of EMI and thermal management.
Identification of the impact of the key enabling technologies and know-how from EASIER is extremely relevant for future efforts within the aerospace industry to reduce GHG emissions.
The activities started in EASIER will continue thought internal efforts of the industrial partners and also within different projects in Clean Aviation to deliver solutions relevant for next gen SMR and HER.