A new type of electric motor, which was developed by researchers at Siemens, is said to weigh just 50 kilograms, yet deliver a continuous output of roughly 260 kilowatts.
For reference, that’s five times more than drive systems presently in place.
The motor’s record-setting power-to-weight ratio will allow for larger aircraft with takeoff weights of up to two tons to be able to use electric drives for the first time.
In order to achieve this benchmark, the researchers studied the components of previous motors and figured out how to optimize them to their technical limits. Thanks to advancements made in both simulation techniques as well as lightweight construction, the group at Siemens was able to build a drive system with a weight-to-performance ratio of five kilowatts (kW) per kilogram (kg).
Current electric drives deliver just under two kG per kg.
What’s more, given the fact that this new motor is able to achieve this ratio at rotational speeds of just 2,500 revolutions per minute, it can be used to drive propellers directly, sans transmission.
“This innovation will make it possible to build series hybrid-electric aircraft with four or more seats,” said Frank Anton, Head of eAircraft at Siemens Corporate Technology, the company's central research unit.
Worth noting is that the development of the motor was supported by the German Aviation Research program LuFo in a project of Grob Aircraft and Siemens.
The motor is scheduled to perform a few flight tests this year. Looking ahead, the researchers hope to boost its output a bit more.
“We're convinced that the use of hybrid-electric drives in regional airliners with 50 to 100 passengers is a real medium-term possibility,” Anton concluded.
Via Siemens
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