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Siemens Drive Technologies Division supplies integrated drive train for the first series-hybrid electric aircraft in the world
Siemens AG, Diamond Aircraft and EADS are set to present
the world’s first aircraft with a serial hybrid electric
drive system at the Paris Air Show Le Bourget 2011. The
aircraft was built by the three partners to test the
hybrid electric drive concept. In the future, the
technology will cut fuel consumption and emissions by 25
percent, compared to today’s most efficient aircraft
drives. The Siemens Drive Technologies Division supplied
the drive train comprising motor, converter and control
electronics and utilized the drives and engineering
expertise already gained in industrial areas.
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Final assembly of the DA36 E-Star, the
world’s 1st series hybrid electric aircraft
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Photo
Siemens AG
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Air traffic accounts for some 2.2 percent of CO2 emissions worldwide. For this reason, aircraft, too, must become more efficient. One possible solution – which Siemens and its partners Diamond Aircraft and EADS are testing in the DA36 E-Star motor glider – is to electrify the drive system. The motor glider, which is based on Diamond Aircraft’s HK36 Super Dimona, is the only aircraft of its kind in the world. It is the first to use a so-called serial hybrid electric drive, which has been utilized to date only in cars, as an integrated drive train. The plane’s propeller is powered by a 70 kW electric motor from Siemens. Electricity is supplied by a small Wankel engine from Austro Engine with a generator that functions solely as a power source. A Siemens converter supplies the electric motor with power from the battery and the generator. Fuel consumption is very low since the combustion engine always runs with a constant low output of 30 kW. A battery system from EADS provides the increased power required during takeoff and climb. The accumulator is recharged during the cruising phase.
“The serial hybrid electric drive concept makes possible a quiet electric takeoff and a
considerable reduction in fuel consumption and emission,” said Christian Dries, the owner
of Diamond Aircraft. “It also enables aircraft to cover the required long distances.”In
comparison to the most efficient state-of-the-art technologies now available, the electric
drive is to save 25 percent of fuel and emissions. The technology is to be tested initially on small airplanes, but in the long term this drive will also be used in larger aircraft.
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Drive Train (motor, converter, control)
supplied by SIEMENS |
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Photo
Siemens AG
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The Siemens Drive Technologies Division supplied a low-voltage motor on permanent-magnet
ba-sis, a frequency converter and the control electronics. Siemens utilizes the expertise gained in the implementation
of the integrated electric drive train in other areas, for example, as main propulsion engine for cruise ships.
Ralf-Michael Franke, CEO of the Siemens Drive Technologies Division stated: “This example enables us to demonstrate
our competence in the entire drive train. We com-bine our comprehensive drives portfolio with engineering and
industry know-how and adapt the components to the customer’s specific application. In this way, we can supply our
customers with the ideal drive train which will enable them to efficiently drive a ship and a hybrid bus or fly an aircraft.
The next development step will be to further optimize the integrated drive train. Siemens
scientists are currently working on a new electric motor that is expected to be five times
lighter than conventional drives. In two years, another aircraft is expected
to be equipped with an ultra-light electric drive.
A video and film footage can be found at
www.siemens.com/press/drives/tv
For further information contact:
Siemens AG
Corporate Communications and Government Affairs
Wittelsbacherplatz 2, 80333 München
Germany
Media Relations: Julia Kauppert
Phone: +49 911 895-7952
E-Mail: julia.kauppert@siemens.com
Siemens AG
Industry Sector – Drive Technologies Division
Gleiwitzerstr. 555, 90475 Nürnberg
www.automation.siemens.com
Source
Siemens AG
Article Reference : 020171
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