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Using Liquid Natural Gas Fuel to Cryogenically Cool and Enhance a Hybrid Electric Aircraft Power SystemA previous system study identified significant increases in range and number of urban air mobility (UAM) missions by replacing the all battery power system of a notional UAM vehicle with an advanced diesel hybrid using conventional diesel or liquid natural gas (LNG) fuels (at constant vehicle design gross weight). Some benefits were realized using the LNG's cryogenic properties to reduce some electrical component losses and cooling requirements. Significant questions were raised concerning volume and thermal management considerations for all studied systems. The notional, baseline vehicle was a hybrid helicopter / airplane design capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), balancing high cruise efficiency with reasonable hover capability. A subsequent power system assessment using the same notional vehicle and mission was performed that identified increased volume and power requirements for the active cooling required. The cooling airflow could also generate additional drag on the vehicle during operation. For the notional vehicle studied, the additional volume identified by the subsequent study would not affect vehicle mold line and therefore drag. However, the additional drag from cooling airflow and the power to circulate it as needed would impact power system and vehicle mission performance. Vehicle and mission models were updated and rerun. Updated results still indicated significant benefits in range and number of UAM missions, but reduced the benefit by 12-15%. Hold time for the hybrid systems also generally increased a few minutes because of reduced power available for charging from the power for required cooling flows. Vehicle weights, thermal loads, and cooling airflows from the updated analyses were similar to previous results.
Document ID
20180004867
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Snyder, Christopher A. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Kohlman, Lee W. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2018
Publication Date
May 14, 2018
Subject Category
Aircraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
GRC-E-DAA-TN54637
Meeting Information
Meeting: AHS International''s Annual Forum and Technology Display
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Country: United States
Start Date: May 14, 2018
End Date: May 17, 2018
Sponsors: American Helicopter Society International
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 664817.02.03.04.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
systems analysis
electric motors
vertical takeoff
mission analysis

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