High Power Density Electric Motors for Hybrid Electric Air Platforms

Fuel Cell and hybrid electric propulsion offers increased architectural flexibility to air vehicles. The power plant of choice for helicopters is a gas turbine engine due to its high power density. However, the large transmission can weigh more than the engine. A motor-generator pair can eliminate high maintenance components in the drive train yielding reduced operation and support costs comparable to fixed wing aircraft. A hybrid electric drive would also allow the use of a larger number of smaller redundant rotors or electric driven ducted fans, reducing vulnerability and enabling NOTR configurations. High power density electric motors for an all electric vertical takeoff and landing uninhabited air vehicles is also desirable Electric motors with power densities > 5 HP/lb enable vertical takeoff and landing aero vehicles with a multitude of commercial, surveillance and military applications. SatCon will show that our innovative approach in the design of the motor exceeds program goals (7 HP at 8,400 RPM, >5HP/lb, and >95%efficiency) leading to prototype fabrication and test in follow a phase.