Knowledge Center

Certification Process for a Hybrid Electric Aircraft

The scientific aviation association (FVA) is developing the FVA 30, a hybrid electric motor glider, to research alternative propulsion systems. This article focuses on the certification process of the FVA 30 power train, using a Speedgoat target computer.

Battery Management System Integration into an Electronic Control Module for a Hybrid Electric Aircraft

Th­is article focuses on BMS integration into the electronic control module (ECM) of the FVA 30 hybrid electric motor glider using a Speedgoat real-time target machine. The challenge is to design an ECM for reliable data processing, allowing pilots to monitor and control the drivetrain.

Vorticity Dynamics of Leading-Edge Vortex Formation on a Revolving Wing

A leading-edge vortex (LEV) forms and remains stably attached on high angle-of-attack (AoA), low aspect ratio (AR) wings undergoing revolving or flapping motion at an insect’s wing. Here, the LEV formation on a revolving wing is investigated. The 'Shake-the-box' (STB) Lagrangian particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) system and a volumetric patching process helped reconstruct the entire time-resolved flow field.

Publication on springer.com

Leading-Edge Vortex and Transient Lift on a Revolving Wing at Low Reynolds Numbers

The transient formation and the stable attachment of the leading-edge vortex (LEV) contribute to the high lift generation of an insect wing when it revolves at high angles of attack. This study examined the leading-edge vortex (LEV) formation and the transient lift generation on a revolving wing, using combined computational and experimental methods.

Publication on sciencedirect.com

Real-Time Learning of Efficient Lift Generation on a Dynamically Scaled Flapping Wing

This work presents a successful application of a policy search algorithm to a real-time robotic learning problem, where the goal is to maximize the efficiency of lift generation on a dynamically scaled flapping robotic wing. Learning is performed for different prescribed stroke amplitudes to find the optimal wing pitching amplitude and the stroke-pitch phase difference that maximize lift generation's power loading (PL), a measure of aerodynamic efficiency.

Publication on ieeexplore.ieee.org

Visual Motion Tracking and Sensor Fusion for Kite Power Systems

Line-based estimation of the kite state, including position and heading, limits the achievable cycle efficiency of such airborne wind energy systems. Experimental results of a visual motion tracking estimation and an inertial sensor fusion on a ground-based kite power system in pumping operation are presented and compared to an existing estimation scheme based on line.

Publication on springer.com

Transient Engine Emulation within a Laboratory Testbed for Aircraft Power Systems

This paper presents an engine emulation system utilized within a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test environment for aircraft power systems. It focuses on the software and hardware interfaces that enable the coupling of the rotor dynamics model that provides the critical link between the modeled dynamics of the engine and the measured dynamics of the generator.

Publication on dx.doi.org