MEA
Hybrid Energy Management for Aeronautical Applications
Objectives
Activities and results
Benefits
Composition
Info
Objectives
Goal of the project
The MEA project aims to develop a hybrid propulsion architecture based on the combination of a thermal engine and an electric motor and to develop the related enabling technologies in order to compare, under the aspect of specific consumption, weight and performance, the traditional propulsive architecture of a UAV aircraft with one or more hybrid architectures. To do this, Avio Aero will use the Selex ES Falco EVO unmanned aerial system as a reference platform.Goal of the training program
Train 6 highly skilled technologists in hybrid propulsion systems for aerospace applications.Activities and results
- design and development of an application for the simulation and optimization of the propulsion system;
- development of a new starter / generator and related power drive;
- development of the control system;
- identification and optimization of internal combustion engine;
- development of an accumulation system;
- test preparation;
- demonstrator integrating components to validate the innovative propulsion system.
Benefits
- reduction of consumption;
- possibility of ‘silent’ flight (pure electric mode);
- increased safety (aircraft can land in the event of a thermal engine failure);
- availability of more power in the take-off and climb phases.
Composition
The propulsion system will consist of:
- a high-performance diesel engine;
- a high power density synchronous electric motor / generator;
- a DC / AC converter and supervisory control system;
- a lithium polymer battery pack and related management system;
- mechanical transmission
Info
Project manager: Giuseppe Giliberti, Avio Aero
Total budget: 5M€
Project start and end: May 2014 — December 2016
For more information: giuseppe.giliberti@avioaero.it
Partner: Avio Aero, Politecnico di Bari, Università del Salento, CNR di Messina
