It isn’t exactly Wonder Woman-ready , but this little glider is already a celebrity. A collaboration between Siemens, Diamond Aircraft, and EADS, the DA36 E-Star, being billed because the “world’s first serial hybrid electric airplane,” has taken to the friendly skies and is now on display on the Paris Air Show. Both-seater, which boasts a serial (or series) hybrid electric drive, reminiscent of that present in the Chevy Volt , is currently a two-seat affair, but is meant to pave the best way for passenger planes, and will eventually cut emissions by 25 percent. In conjunction with a decrease in fuel consumption and subsequent emissions, the plane is likewise nice and quiet. So what’s next? Scientists are engaged on a brand new motor that may make the drive five times lighter. Hey Siemens, give us a choice when it gets inflight-WiFi . Full PR after the break.
Munich, Germany, 2011-Jun-20
Siemens AG, Diamond Aircraft and EADS are set to give the world’s first aircraft with a serial hybrid electric drive system on the Paris Air Show Le Bourget 2011. The 2-seater motor glider successfully completed its maiden flight on June 8 on the Wiener Neustadt airfield in Vienna, Austria. The aircraft was built by the 3 partners to check the hybrid electric drive concept. Sooner or later, the technology, that’s intended for later use also in large-scale aircraft, will cut fuel consumption and emissions by 25 percent, when compared with today’s best aircraft drives.
The world’s first series hybrid electric plane DA36 E-Star
Electromobility is now making inroads into the area of aircraft. The technology of the series hybrid electric drive is scalable and can be utilized in small and medium-sized aircraft and, within the medium term, larger planes. It’ll make aviation greener.
Air traffic accounts for some 2.2 percent of CO2 emissions worldwide. Accordingly, aircraft, too, must become more efficient. One possible solution – which Siemens and its partners Diamond Aircraft and EADS are testing within the DA36 E-Star motor glider – is to affect the drive system.
“A serial hybrid electric drive may be scaled for a variety of uses, making it highly suitable for aircraft besides,” said Dr. Frank Anton, the initiator of electrical aircraft development at Siemens. “First thing we wish to do is test the technology in small aircraft. Within the long time, however, the drive system may also be utilized in large-scale aircraft. We wish to cut fuel consumption and emissions by 25 percent, when compared with today’s most fulfilling technologies. This would make air travel more sustainable.”
The motor glider, that is in keeping with Diamond Aircraft’s HK36 Super Dimona, is the simplest aircraft of its kind on the earth. It’s the first to take advantage of a so-called serial hybrid electric drive, which was utilized to this point only in cars, as an integrated drive train. The plane’s propeller is powered by a 70kW electric motor from Siemens. Electricity is provided by a small Wankel engine from Austro Engine with a generator that functions solely as an influence source. A Siemens converter supplies the electrical motor with power from the battery and the generator. Fuel consumption is awfully low because the combustion engine always runs with a continuing low output of 30kW. A battery system from EADS provides the increased power required during takeoff and climb. The accumulator is recharged through the cruising phase. “The serial hybrid electric drive concept makes possible a quiet electric takeoff and a substantial reduction in fuel consumption and emission,” said Christian Dries, the landlord of Diamond Aircraft. “It also enables aircraft to hide the mandatory long distances.”
The electrical motor glider successfully completed its first flight on the Wiener Neustadt airfield in Vienna, Austria on June 8, 2011. “At the good distance to hybrid electric-powered commercial aircraft, the maiden flight of the DA36 E-Star is a small step and mutually a historic milestone,” said Dr. Jean Botti, Chief Technical Officer and member of the administrative Committee of EADS.
The following development step can be to further optimize all the drive train. Siemens scientists are currently engaged on a brand new electric motor that’s expected to be five times lighter than conventional drives. In two years, another aircraft is anticipated to be equipped with an ultra-light electric drive. Siemens’ Drive Technologies Division has already used integrated drive trains in other applications like marine drives. The knowhow gained within the se areas has now been applied in the aviation industry in addition. Combined with the corresponding product portfolio, the components of the drive train could be optimally adjusted to each other.
The DA36 E-Star might be exhibited on the Paris Air Show Le Bourget in a flight demonstration daily from June 20 to June 26, 2011.
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